“Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” also known as the “Snyder Cut,” is a 2021 superhero film directed by Zack Snyder. It serves as the director’s original vision of the 2017 film “Justice League,” which was significantly altered by Joss Whedon after Snyder stepped down due to a family tragedy. The film features an ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, and many others reprising their roles as iconic DC Comics characters.

The story follows Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) as they work to assemble a team of metahumans to protect Earth from an impending catastrophic threat. This threat comes in the form of Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), an intergalactic warlord who is seeking to gather three powerful artifacts known as Mother Boxes to bring about the destruction of Earth and earn favor with his master, Darkseid (Ray Porter).

The team, which eventually comes to be known as the Justice League, includes Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Victor Stone/Cyborg (Ray Fisher). Each member brings unique abilities and personal struggles to the group, adding depth and complexity to their interactions. A key element of their plan involves resurrecting Superman (Henry Cavill), whose death in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” left the world vulnerable to new threats.

“Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is notable for its extended runtime of four hours, allowing for more detailed character development, additional backstory, and new subplots that were absent in the 2017 theatrical release. The film also introduces characters like Darkseid and expands on the roles of supporting characters such as Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane).

The film’s release was driven by a passionate fan campaign advocating for Snyder’s original vision, culminating in Warner Bros. allowing Snyder to complete his version of the film. It premiered on HBO Max in March 2021 and received a largely positive reception from both fans and critics, who praised its cohesive storytelling, visual effects, and character arcs.

“Zack Snyder’s Justice League” stands as a unique entry in the superhero genre, reflecting the power of fan advocacy and offering a more ambitious and expansive take on the Justice League’s battle to save the world.