The Green Lantern Was Almost In the Snydercut

Let’s face it: it’s amazing that we got to see the Snydercut at all.
After Zack Snyder left the production of Justice League to tend to a family tragedy, his original epic vision for DC’s biggest heroes was scrapped in favor of a streamlined, jokier, Joss Whedon-fied version that no one ended up liking. We did finally get to see the film Snyder intended, but that was only part of a planned Justice League trilogy.
The final few scenes of the Snydercut that were released on HBO Max last month hinted at the two additional movies the director originally planned. It’s clear there was a lot of crazy stuff coming, including a variety of new characters like Martian Manhunter, only teased in the Snydercut, and Deathstroke. At one point, Green Lantern was even meant to join the films – instead of Manhunter – but the studio didn’t allow him to be incorporated lest it complicated their future plans for the character.
The director had already begun work on his Green Lantern, but not in the form of Ryan Reynolds‘ Hal Jordan from the much-maligned attempt at a GL movie. No, this Green Lantern was to be the first movie-version of John Stewart’s ring bearer, and we were given a glimpse of his character design when graphic artist Jojo Aguilar shared some images on Twitter.
Aguilar worked on John Stewart, Granny Goodness, Joker, and Martian Manhunter for Snyder’s films, and despite the fact that they weren’t all fully realized as intended, he loved the experience, tweeting: “This was the best experience in my career working with @ZackSnyder,” shared Aguilar in a post. I’ve worked a long time and by far he was the most professional, most personable, and Coolest! and thanks @jayoliva1for introducing me to him!”
This was the best experience in my career working with @ZackSnyder . I’ve worked a long time and by far he was the most professional, most personable, and Coolest! and thanks @jayoliva1 for introducing me to him! #SnyderCut #RestoreTheSnyderVerse pic.twitter.com/Uil99i7liW
— jojo aguilar (@jojoaguilar33) April 2, 2021
The studio’s refusal to allow Snyder to use Stewart almost derailed the Snydercut from being finished, but he eventually relented and replaced Stewart with Martian Manhunter, who pledged to help Batman and the JL in the coming war against Darkseid.
Unfortunately, we’ll never get to see that war. Unless Snyder, and his legions of fans, somehow make lightning strike again and #restoretheSnyderverse!