UPDATE: With the release ofBarbie, some viewers argue the joke in question was directed at Snyderverse fans instead of Warner Bros. However,Nick Tiffanynotes, “It seemed like more of a joke that most guys just inherently love beer and trucks and are passionate about horses and guy things. One of those guy things being very passionate about Zack’s vision. Wasn’t really played as ‘toxic men love Snyder.'”
The original story follows.
The release ofZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguecemented the Snyderverse fandom in the zeitgeist of pop culture, which has reportedly upset a lot of critics and Warner Bros. executives. However, judging by a joke acknowledging this, theBarbiemovie doesn’t seem too concerned.
This wouldn’t be the first time the Snyderverse fandom and the Snyder Cut ofJustice Leaguewere acknowledged or referenced, such asZack Snyder appearing inTeen Titans Go,The Harley Quinn Showpoking fun at the Snyderverse fandom (with series producer Justin Halpern calling those fans “very good sports” for Snyderverse fans turning the joke into a positive for charity) and even inThe Boys. The widely accepted superior cut ofJustice League, true to the director’s vision, was not an easy battle fought for by fans. However, with the support from Snyder, WB eventually gave in during the height of the pandemic.
RELATED:Zack Snyder’s Justice League Should Not Have Happened, Say WB Insiders
While it is not explicitly stated what the joke is,Barbiedirector Greta Gerwig was asked in an interview withNerdistif she is scared of the potential impact the joke will have “on a particular fandom online.” For a moment, Gerwig contemplates this, then the interviewer asks, “Do you get a free pass because Margot is in the DCEU?” Multiple sources on social media confirm that this joke referencesthe Snyder Cut and fandomwhile also making sense of Gerwig being taken aback in the interview since those sources further added that the joke is actually on behalf of Snyderverse fans, pointing at WB instead.
BecauseBarbieis a WB production, the joke could be awkward for the company. Even so, it would certainly be fitting forBarbie, seeing as how its meta themes are said to be inspired byThe Truman Showand other films. What’s also interesting is that the marketing forBarbieand Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerare leaning into each othersince they are being released on the same day, bringing further awareness to both films.
Nolan was a producer on theSnyderverse aspects of the DCEU, and it was reportedly his choice that Snyder jump-start the DC franchise withMan of Steel, so forBarbieto make a joke aimed at WB while siding with Universal’sOppenheimer, all while Nolan has distanced himself from WB, may suggestBarbiebeing anti-establishment. From what audiences are saying, the joke will land with those aware of the pop culture reference, at least to those who stand by artistic integrity and against studio management in such contexts.
