The dirt rising on Superman’s coffin at the end of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice isn’t a cliffhanger according to director Zack Snyder. Although Batman v Superman was just the second film in the DC Extended Universe and primarily focused on a big screen conflict between DC’s most recognizable heroes, the film was also responsible for setting up the future. Snyder has revealed that the movie was part of a five-film plan that started with Henry Cavill’s Superman debut in Man of Steel. As a result, the Kryptonian was scheduled to have a big role in the future.
In order to set those plans into motion though, Superman had to die at the end of Batman v Superman. His death was sacrificial as he killed Doomsday in his final act. But, instead of allowing time to pass after Superman’s death, Batman v Superman ended with a presumed tease that he would return. The final shot of the film showed dirt rising off the top of Clark Kent’s coffin and kickstarted theories about how Superman’s story could continue. A true resurrection, Mother Boxes, Darkseid, and much more were discussed, but Snyder says that the ending isn’t a cliffhanger after all.
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Snyder did a live commentary for the Ultimate Edition of Batman v Superman to celebrate the passing of the four year anniversary of its original theatrical release, and the result was multiple reveals and confirmations about his vision for the film. This is where he shared his intention for the final shot of the movie. Although most took the dirt lifting in a literal sense that teased the future, Snyder explained that it is a symbolic ending instead: “It’s always been symbolic of hope and lessons learned.”
Snyder’s intention for the dirt rising on Clark’s coffin to be a symbolic ending might not have been noticed by all, but it does serve multiple purposes. Even though the ending’s primary function is symbolic in Snyder’s mind, it also works as set up for what else he had planned. Superman was brought back to life in Justice League and this ending teased that his story would continue, as it gave fans hope that he would be resurrected.
Of course, Snyder’s plans beyond this tease have yet to be truly realized. He has confirmed on multiple occasions that his plans for Superman in Justice League were very different from the character’s role in the theatrical cut of the film. While we don’t know all of the details surrounding his resurrection, Zack Snyder’s Justice League will change quite a bit (if it is ever released). In that sense, with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice retroactively being the end of Snyder’s vision for the DCEU, perhaps its ending will provide hope to those who continue to ask for the Snyder Cut to be released.
Source: Zack Snyder
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