Zack Snyder Defends 'Batman v Superman' 10 Years Later

Director says fans who call his supporters 'toxic' should 'go f--- themselves'

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a recent podcast interview, director Zack Snyder defended his divisive 2016 film 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' on its 10th anniversary, saying he would never apologize for the creative decisions he made. Snyder also pushed back against critics who have labeled his passionate fanbase as 'toxic', telling them to 'go f--- themselves'.

Why it matters

Snyder's comments highlight the ongoing debate around his vision for the DC Extended Universe, which faced significant backlash from some fans and critics but also has a dedicated following. The director's defiant stance underscores the polarizing nature of his filmmaking approach and the heated discussions it continues to generate a decade later.

The details

In the interview, Snyder said he has 'no regrets' about the creative choices he made for 'Batman v Superman', which included depicting Batman as a more violent, morally ambiguous character and having the two heroes bond over their mothers both being named Martha. Snyder argued that he preferred to make a film that stayed true to his creative vision rather than one that had been 'shaved off' by focus groups and corporate decision-making.

  • Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released on March 25, 2016.
  • The film is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026.

The players

Zack Snyder

The director of 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' and other films in the DC Extended Universe.

Warner Bros.

The studio that produced and distributed 'Batman v Superman' and other DC films.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Do you really want a movie that's had all the edges shaved off it by the focus groups? Do you really want a movie where the decisions have been made in a boardroom, or tested ideas have been rendered for your enjoyment? Do you really want the Kmart version of your story? Is that what you really want?”

— Zack Snyder, Director (Happy Sad Confused podcast)

“You realize then that we were kicking the zeitgeist in the nuts and that we were going to anger people. Not only do they not want their heroes deconstructed, they don't want their heroes battling each other on a road to deconstructing the why of their existence. That's another sacrilege.”

— Zack Snyder, Director (Happy Sad Confused podcast)

“The fans should never forget they did that. They also raised a ton of money for suicide prevention. They did a lot of good. They catch a lot of flak for being toxic or whatever, but they literally saved human lives. You can go fuck yourselves if that's what you think.”

— Zack Snyder, Director (Happy Sad Confused podcast)

What’s next

Snyder has discussed the possibility of bringing his original 'Justice League' vision to life in other mediums like comics or animation, though no firm plans have been announced.

The takeaway

Zack Snyder's unapologetic defense of his creative choices for 'Batman v Superman' and his passionate fanbase underscores the enduring debate around his divisive vision for the DC Extended Universe. While some fans and critics have been highly critical, Snyder remains steadfast in his belief that he made the film he wanted to make, regardless of the backlash.