File under “Yet another instance proving that studio suits needed to butt out and let Zack Snyder do his thing.” It has been revealed that “black suit” Superman scenes were filmed for Justice League, yet somehow ended up on the cutting room floor.
The film’s cinematographer, Fabian Wagner, tells Inverse:
“There were scenes shot. It’s a cool looking costume. Sadly, we didn’t see that in the final cut.”
If you’re scratching your head, allow me to give you a brief recap. Superman was shockingly killed off from his own comic in 1992. He was murdered by the monstrous villain Doomsday, just as he was on screen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The following year, the Man of Steel was resurrected, but he looked quite a bit different. In place of the classic blue and red costume, he instead was clad in head-to-toe black, with a silver S on the chest. He was also depicted with a short, scruffy beard.
Given the fact that he was killed using the “Death of Superman” storyline, it only made sense that when he finally reappeared, it would be in the black suit. Many fans (myself included) were very excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen. Henry Cavill even teased it in an Instagram post, AND tie-in merch was made using the design.
Its exclusion is very disappointing. But it’s not even close to being the only thing cut from the film. In fact, Wagner says “quite a few scenes” didn’t make the theatrical release, not just black-suit Supes.
“Zack takes his time with telling the stories, and I’ve always liked that about his movies. There are a few scenes that I was very much looking forward to seeing, which unfortunately got cut.”
He describes one other in particular – a deleted scene used in the trailers, but absent from the final cut. While working under the hood of the Batmobile, Alfred Pennyworth is seen talking to an offscreen presence. “They said you’d come. Let’s hope you’re not too late.” Who he was talking to, or about what, are anyone’s guess (though many fans believe it’s Superman).
“It was a great scene to shoot,” Wagner says. “It was one of my favorites, and also didn’t make it.”
As if we didn’t already have enough reasons to demand a Director’s Cut! Here’s hoping that Warner Bros does the right thing.
Justice League is currently in theaters. We’ll let you know as soon as the blu-ray release date is announced.