Exclusive: Disney Wants Zack Snyder To Direct A Star Wars Movie

We've exclusively learned that Disney is now interested in Zack Snyder for a Star Wars movie. Here's what we've learned so far.

By Faith McKay | Updated

Zack Snyder's Star Wars

Update December 22, 2023: While it appears Disney was interested in Zack Snyder making a Star Wars movie, in 2023, he released Rebel Moon on Netflix instead. This movie is believed to be the concept he would have used for a Star Wars movie.

Ever since Zack Snyder and DC cut the ties between them, officially ending the Snydervse, his fans have been worried about what’s next for him. Superheroes rules some of the biggest franchises around. Snyder’s signatures for special effects and a darker take on the genre aren’t something he’s likely to bring to Marvel, so what will he do next?

Clearly, he needs to be part of a franchise so he has the special effects budget he requires for his best work. Now, he is getting the exact kind of connection he needs to make that happen. According to inside information from one of our trusted and proven sources, Disney is now interested in Zack Snyder for a Star Wars film.

Will the filmmaker be hesitant about joining another franchise after his recent struggles with DC? Possibly at first, especially if that question were to be asked without naming the franchise, but it’s hard to imagine Zack Snyder’s eyes didn’t widen with glee when he heard Disney was interested for Star Wars.

Our insider hasn’t been able to learn what Snyder knows of the studio’s interest at this point, but the filmmaker’s aspirations to create an official entry in the franchise is something that has been talked about for years.

In fact, Zack Snyder was recently on an episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast. During his interview, he talked a fair amount about wanting to “take the keys” for the franchise and give her a spin. Recounting his personal wishes to be part of the franchise, and the history of his early career where he tried to get in with Lucasfilm, it’s almost like Zack Snyder had Star Wars particularly on his mind, like he was aware that Disney is paying attention to him right now.

Zack snyder

Even if they weren’t listening to the podcast, it is not a secret that Zack Snyder is a Star Wars fan. The filmmaker who brought us Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, Man of Steel, and now his official cut of Justice League, has been a fan since he was a child. His style is known for being big on special effects and perhaps a bit darker than a lot of Star Wars movies would allow for.

Around the time Zack Snyder joined DC for Man of Steel, he was trying to get his Star Wars script in play. While he’s also talked about attempting to create a science-fiction film with ideas from his original plot, it’s not the same if it’s not in that franchise. Every fan knows that.

But can Zack Snyder’s vision for Star Wars align with Disney’s? This is a serious concern when we’re talking about a filmmaker who recently struggled to work with a studio. He doesn’t make the kinds of films that would work well with an indie budget, so he needs big players on his side.

But won’t he find less interference if he doesn’t work with existing franchises? Creating his own original films may be an easier bet for him. Studio involvement makes his job more difficult. However, his style feels made for a franchise.

Adapting his darker vision to a Star Wars film may be particularly difficult, but as a fan for so many years, it feels like something Zack Snyder will be open to making work.