Zack Snyder has already established himself as one of the premier comic book directors in the industry. He's involved in most of the upcoming DC films set to be released in the near future, and his directing résumé includes comic book films such as 300, Watchmen, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and the Justice League among others.
One area that he has not explored however is the DCAU, the animated DC universe. Given his directing skills, his writing skills, and his newfound importance in the developing DCEU, Zack Snyder would be a great fit directing animated feature-length DC shows in the future.
10 Directing an animated show would be something new for him
Snyder has directed an animated film before called Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, so this wouldn't be completely new territory for him, but he hasn't done so in the context of the DC universe. Directing animation is a much different endeavor than directing a live-action. It would be something different for him, helping to strengthen his résumé.
Though a well-known director, Snyder really likes to direct certain types of movies, namely zombie and noir films, so this would be a good chance for him to venture outside of his comfort zone.
9 Directing an animated show would be a long-term project for him
As evidenced by the Snyder Cut of The Justice League, Snyder is a big planner. He wants to set up certain characters, storylines, and even events for future movies. Every event that happens in his current movies leads up to something in his future movies.
A great television show plans ahead, planting seeds throughout the season in order to build up to a final payoff in the season finale. Television would be a great fit for Snyder in this way; shows can actually benefit from his long-term planning.
8 His presence in the DCAU would allow other directors to direct live-action films
Although Snyder has become a titan in the DCEU, his presence in the DCEU isn't as great as some would think. Having him direct so many DCEU films monopolizes the DCEU, making it so that only a handful of directors would be directing, and in control, of the future of the extended universe. If this holds, the DCEU would become the Snyderverse.
A growing and expanding universe needs a new and diverse lineup of directors. Having more directors brings in more ideas. Taking Snyder out of the lineup creates space for new creators to step in.
7 His DCAU shows could have a longer run time
Zack Snyder's Cut of The Justice League is a four-hour-long movie. To some fans, this is great as it is a longer Justice League movie, while to others, it is too excessive, convoluting the plot and highlighting irrelevant points and scenes in the movie. For a theatrical release, four hours seems to be a bit much.
If the Justice League were an animated show, he could have easily separated the film into four-hour-long episodes, a bit like Game of Thrones. In doing so he could keep audiences hooked for longer.
6 He could make his DCAU shows darker & more mature
Zack Snyder is no stranger to darkness and violence as most of his movies are PG-13 or R-rated. Most of the movies in the DCAU are already geared towards older fans, similar to the tone he has in his movies. By directing an animated show, he would have more freedom to explore more mature content.
This is still DC so he wouldn't be able to go crazy with blood and violence, but he wouldn't have to hold back as much as in a live-action. In terms of animated gore, nothing compares to Invincible. The premise of Invincible is a bit different than most DC stories however, so Snyder wouldn't have to worry about crossing the line when it comes to violence.
5 The DCAU is one of the stronger branches of the DCEU, beating out the MAU
To most fans, the DCAU is far superior to the MAU, the Marvel Animated Universe. The animation style is better, the storylines are more mature, and the action is less goofy. Shows like Batman Beyond and Justice League Unlimited have been huge successes. They tell great stories and are arguably more engaging than the Justice League movie.
By making a new show, supplementing the ones already in place, Snyder could bring in a new generation of audiences to the DC Universe. He would be adding to something that is already great.
4 Directing an animated show could be less controversial
Part of what made the Snyder Cut of the Justice League so successful was because of its controversy, in all honesty. Most, if not all, of it wasn't his fault, but still. Although controversy is still possible with an animated show, it won't be as bad as it was for his films. In an animated show, he doesn't have to worry about other directors taking and altering his creative image, having an A-list cast, or the huge budget, for the most part.
The story writers, producers, animators, and the director work together to make one final product and so it won't fall so much on him to micromanage everything. Thus, it is less likely that the problems that came up in the Justice League would come up in an animated show.
3 More characters to play with in the DCAU
Some DC characters just work better in animation. Not all characters can be adapted for a live-action film. For example, Mister Miracle and Big Barda would look a bit silly if they were adapted into live-action. They work much better as drawn or rendered characters. With this in mind, Snyder would have a bigger roster of characters to play with in the DCAU.
It would help ground him in the source material while also allowing him to more freely experiment. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are great characters but they've always had the spotlight. Snyder could help promote some less popular characters, thereby expanding the universe.
2 Snyder would be able to tell more, & newer, stories for the DCAU
DC comics has created some great stories throughout the years with many talented writers. Not all of these stories will be adapted into live-action though. Shows can however cover a wider array of content in a more condensed manner than films.
Snyder is the type of director to have multiple plots going on simultaneously and a show accommodates this trait of his well. Shows can cover multiple plots at the same time, meaning he could work in his own stories with existing comic book stories. In other words, he can tell a lot more stories with a show than a movie.
1 Snyder has a dedicated fan base who will support him wherever he goes
By standing up to the executives at Warner Bros., Snyder has fostered an image of himself as a creator who believes in his creative rights, not letting intimidation and high profile executives alter his creative vision. To most fans, this is an admirable trait, thereby garnering him a dedicated fanbase.
These fans will follow him wherever he goes and so he won't have to worry about failing as he ventures into this new environment. Wherever Snyder goes, and whatever he wants to do in the industry, his fans will support him, making his DCAU debut a little less stressful task.
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