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Zack Snyder
Snyder at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Zachary Edward Snyder (1966-03-01) March 1, 1966 (age 58) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma mater	Art Center College of Design
Occupations	Film director film producer screenwriter cinematographer
Years active	1990–present
Spouses	Denise Weber (divorced) Deborah Johnson ​(m. 2004)​
Children	8

Zachary Edward Snyder (born March 1, 1966) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He made his feature film debut in 2004 with Dawn of the Dead, a remake of the 1978 horror film of the same name. Since then, he has directed or produced a number of comic book and superhero films, including 300 (2007) and Watchmen (2009), as well as the Superman film that started the DC Extended Universe, Man of Steel (2013), and its follow-ups, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). A director's cut for Justice League was released in 2021. He also directed the computer-animated film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010), the psychological action film Sucker Punch (2011), the zombie heist film Army of the Dead (2021), and the space opera film Rebel Moon (2023).

In 2004, he founded the production company The Stone Quarry (formerly known as Cruel and Unusual Films) alongside his wife Deborah Snyder and producing partner Wesley Coller.

Early life

Zachary Edward Snyder was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and raised in Riverside, Connecticut. His mother, Marsha Manley (née Reeves; d. 2010), was a painter and a photography teacher at Daycroft School, which Snyder later attended. His father, Charles Edward "Ed" Snyder, worked as an executive recruiter. He has an older sister, Audrey, and was raised as a Christian Scientist. He also had a brother, Sam, who died when Snyder was a teenager.

Snyder attended Camp Owatonna in Harrison, Maine, during the summer months as a child. Snyder studied painting a year after high school at Heatherley School of Fine Art in England, although he had already begun filmmaking. Afterward, Snyder attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He graduated with a BFA in film in 1989.

The production notes for Snyder's first film Dawn of the Dead describes Snyder as "a comic book and horror film enthusiast in his youth".

Career

Snyder made his feature film debut with the remake of the horror film Dawn of the Dead (2004), and scored a box office hit with the fantasy war film 300 (2006), adapted from writer-artist Frank Miller's Dark Horse Comics miniseries of the same name. His Warner Bros. film Watchmen was released on March 6, 2009, and grossed $185 million worldwide. His follow-up project/animation debut, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, was released on September 24, 2010. Snyder produced, co-wrote, and directed Sucker Punch, which was released on March 25, 2011. The film, based on a script written by Snyder and Steve Shibuya, was about a young woman in a mental hospital who fantasizes of escape with her fellow inmates.

He directed 2013's Man of Steel for Warner Bros., a reboot of the Superman franchise and the jumpstart to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and produced the prequel/sequel to 300, 300: Rise of an Empire (2014).

During Comic Con 2013, Snyder announced that Batman and Superman would share the screen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, released in 2016. Snyder directed, Cavill reprised his role as Superman, and Ben Affleck played Batman. Snyder directed Warner Bros.' 2017 Justice League, but he exited during post-production to deal with the death of his daughter, Autumn Snyder. His replacement was Joss Whedon.

On January 29, 2019, Snyder announced that he had signed on to helm Army of the Dead, a zombie heist thriller, for Netflix. Snyder directed and produced the film with his partner and wife, Deborah Snyder, via their newly rebranded production company, The Stone Quarry. His agreement with Netflix has since expanded into several Army of the Dead projects; Army of Thieves, a prequel released in 2021, and Planet of the Dead, a sequel to be created.

On May 20, 2020, Snyder announced that Zack Snyder's Justice League would be released on the streaming service HBO Max in 2021. The film was released on March 18, 2021.

Future and potential projects

In July 2021, Snyder was officially announced to be developing the film Rebel Moon for Netflix. It will be inspired by Star Wars and the films of Akira Kurosawa. Filming began in April 2022 and will last until November that year, with the project being developed as a two-part film.

Snyder will produce Twilight of the Gods, an anime-style web series inspired by Norse mythology for Netflix. Snyder is also developing a King Arthur film, which he said will be a "faithful retelling". It will be set during the American Gold rush era.

Following Rebel Moon, Snyder will return to direct Planet of the Dead, a sequel to Army of the Dead. He also signed a first-look deal with Netflix.

Filmmaking

Style

Snyder often uses slow motion, particularly the technique of speed ramping, in and out of the fight scenes in his films, differing from other directors who make multiple cuts and close-ups during a fight. A minute-long shot from 300 shows King Leonidas slaughtering his enemies, the camera zooming in and out to emphasize each kill and move Leonidas makes.

Snyder said "There are other superhero movies where they joke about how basically no one's getting hurt. That's not us. What is that message? That it's okay that there's this massive destruction with zero consequence for anyone? That's what Watchmen was about in a lot of ways too. There was a scene, that scene where Dan and Laurie get mugged. They beat up the criminals. I was like the first guy, I want to show his arm get broken. I want a compound fracture. I don't want it to be clean. I want you to go, 'Oh my God, I guess you're right. If you just beat up a guy in an alley he's not going to just be lying on the ground. It's going to be messy'."

The Netflix production Army of the Dead was a special project for Snyder as he served as his own cinematographer, as well as this being his first film shot digitally.

Reception

Snyder has been described as one of the most polarizing directors of modern cinema. David Ehrlich of IndieWire wrote that Snyder's "name alone is enough to launch a thousand angry tweets, and the most passionate writing about his work is exclusively found in the comment sections of websites like this one. Snyder's critics really seem to hate him, and Snyder's fans really seem to hate his critics ... Is Snyder a master or a hack? A misunderstood myth-maker, or a meathead with a movie camera?" Film critic Armond White listed Snyder as one of the four best filmmakers of the 2010's. Director James Cameron praised Snyder, listing him as one of the filmmakers who created their own "cinematic language".

Personal life

In 2009, Snyder listed Excalibur, Mad Max 2, A Clockwork Orange, Blue Velvet, and RoboCop as his five favorite films.

Family

Snyder lives in Pasadena, California with his second wife, producer Deborah Johnson. The couple first met in 1996, began dating in 2002, and married on September 25, 2004, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Manhattan, New York. He was previously married to Denise Weber.

Snyder has eight children: two biological children and two adopted daughters with Weber, two biological sons from a relationship with Kirsten Elin, and two adopted children with Johnson. The suicide of his daughter Autumn prompted Snyder to withdraw from post-production work on Justice League in May 2017 to be with his family, which resulted in Joss Whedon completing the film in his place.

Philanthropy

Following his daughter's suicide, Snyder became involved in philanthropic activities directed towards suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Snyder promoted this effort on social media by selling clothing and merchandise related to the Snyder Cut; in May 2021, it was revealed that this effort had raised more than $750,000 in charitable donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

In another effort to help with suicide prevention, Snyder included a billboard for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention with the message "You are not alone" in a scene in Zack Snyder's Justice League. The film features other tributes to his late daughter.

Snyder directed 2 PSAs for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2018.

In 2021, Snyder partnered with Save the Children, a global child rights organization, to build a 100-bed temporary hospital facility in Delhi to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Political views

Although his films have been critiqued as having "right-wing" messages, politically, Snyder is a Democrat. He endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, he stated:

I vote Democrat! I'm a true lover of individual rights. I've always been a super-strong advocate of women's rights and a woman's right to choose, and I've always been surrounded by powerful women. And, of course, I'm a huge advocate for the rights of all ethnicities and every walk of life. I would say I'm a pretty liberal guy. I want to make sure everyone's heard and everyone feels included. I don't have a rightwing political agenda. People see what they want to see. For me, that was not certainly the point.

Filmography

Films

Short films

Music videos

Television

Awards and nominations

Snyder's body of work has earned him a number of awards, including two Clio Awards and a Gold Lion Award for his Jeep "Frisbee" commercial. He also won the Society of British Advertisers Award for Humor for his controversial EB Beer commercial "General's Party".

Notes

1. Snyder was the director of Justice League during principal photography, but was replaced by Joss Whedon during post-production. Snyder retained directorial credit for the finished film, though reports have indicated Whedon reshot a significant portion of the film. Snyder later edited a director's cut of the film, removing all of Whedon's footage and restoring his own footage that was deleted in the theatrical release.
2. Snyder shot four to five minutes of additional footage in late 2020 for his cut.

References

1. ^ "Justice League: Zack Snyder quits movie after daughter kills herself". The Guardian. May 23, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
2. "Marsha Manley Snyder". geni_family_tree. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
3. Everhart, Bill (March 8, 2007). "Fan makes a film". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
4. "Marsha Snyder Obituary – Pittsfield, MA". The Berkshire Eagle. Legacy.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
5. "The North Adams Transcript from North Adams, Massachusetts · Page 15". Newspapers.com. May 5, 1958. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
6. ^ Louie, Elaine (February 18, 2011). "Off Screen, a Long-Running Romance". The New York Times. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
7. Zack Snyder Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED, retrieved May 23, 2021
8. Leonard, Devin (March 1, 2016). "Zack Snyder's Superhero Life". Bloomberg News. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
9. "Zack Snyder". ArtCenter College of Design.
10. "Dawn of the Dead - Production Notes". Media Atlantis. Universal Pictures. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
11. "Zack Snyder: Watchmen". SuicideGirls. March 5, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
12. Fischer, Russ (July 20, 2013). "Zack Snyder Will Direct Superman/Batman Movie Inspired by Frank Miller's 'The Dark Knight Returns'". /Film. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
13. Fritz, Ben (April 26, 2014). "Warner Bros. Plans 'Justice League' Movie Directed by Zack Snyder (Exclusive)". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
14. ^ Kit, Borys (May 22, 2017). "Zack Snyder Steps Down From 'Justice League' to Deal With Family Tragedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
15. "Zack Snyder Returning to Movies With Zombie Action Pic 'Army of the Dead' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
16. O'Rourke, Ryan (October 28, 2021). "'Planet of the Dead' Will Have Some "Time Loop Fun," Teases Director Zack Snyder". Collider. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
17. ^ ""It Will Be an Entirely New Thing": Zack Snyder's $20M-Plus 'Justice League' Cut Plans Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. May 20, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
18. "Zack Snyder Sets Next Movie, Sci-Fi Adventure 'Rebel Moon', at Netflix (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
19. Kit, Borys (February 9, 2022). "Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Bae Doona, Ray Fisher Join Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
20. Squires, John (April 20, 2022). "Zack Snyder's Sci-fi Epic 'Rebel Moon' Has Begun Filming". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
21. Gemmill, Allie (July 11, 2019). "Zack Snyder Set to Produce a Netflix Anime Series About Norse Mythology". Collider. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
22. "Zack Snyder says he is developing a King Arthur movie". The New Indian Express. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
23. "Zack Snyder Is Writing His King Arthur Movie Set During The Gold Rush". ScreenRant. May 20, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
24. Kit, Borys (July 21, 2021). "Zack Snyder's Stone Quarry Productions Signs First-Look Film Deal With Netflix (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
25. "Zack Snyder Signs First-Look Deal With Netflix". Movies. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
26. Nicholson, Amy (February 26, 2009). "Slow and Steady". Box Office Magazine. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
27. Staskiewicz, Keith (July 2, 2015). "Zack Snyder defends Man of Steel ending". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
28. Mendelovich, Yossy (February 26, 2021). "'Army of the Dead' Trailer Is Out: Shot on RED Monstro by Cinematographer (and Director) Zack Snyder". Y.M.Cinema - News & Insights on Digital Cinema. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
29. ^ Ehrlich, David (November 15, 2017). "Zack Snyder Movies Ranked from Worst to Best". IndieWire. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
30. Miller, Matt (March 18, 2021). "Every Zack Snyder Movie Ranked From Worst to Best". Esquire. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
31. White, Armond (January 8, 2020). "Best Movies of the Decade". National Review.
32. Outlaw, Kofi (February 20, 2017). "James Cameron Praises Zack Snyder's Movies". Comicbook.com.
33. Newsweek Staff (March 7, 2009). "A Life in Movies: Zack Snyder". Newsweek.
34. Russell, Calum (July 14, 2022). "Zack Snyder names his five favourite films of all time". Far Out.
35. Louie, Elaine (October 3, 2004). "WEDDINGS/CELEBRATIONS: VOWS; Deborah Johnson and Zack Snyder – New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
36. Lovece, Frank (February 19, 2009). "CGI: 'Watchmen'--Zack Snyder brings superhero saga to the finish line". Film Journal International. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
37. "Zack Snyder Was Worried WB Would Sue Him if He Voiced Support for Snyder Cut Movement". DC.
38. Pollock, Sarabeth (March 20, 2021). "Zack Snyder's Justice League features billboard for suicide prevention". Culturess. Retrieved August 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
39. O'Connell, Sean (March 18, 2021). "Justice League's Debbie Snyder Shares A Beautiful Story Behind The Movie's American Foundation For Suicide Prevention Easter Egg". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved August 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
40. Acuna, Kirsten. "A billboard you might have missed in 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' has a double meaning for fans". Insider. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
41. Kanski, Alison (May 21, 2018). "'300' director Zack Snyder takes Leukemia & Lymphoma Society campaign in bolder direction". PRWeek. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
42. Hirwani, Peony (May 11, 2021). "Zack Snyder joins forces with Indian actor Huma Qureshi to build 100-bed temporary hospital facility in Delhi". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
43. "Zack Snyder Denies His Films Have A Right-Wing Agenda". ScreenRant. May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
44. "Zack Snyder, Dwayne Johnson Back Biden". Cosmic Book News. October 17, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
45. Shoard, Catherine (May 20, 2021). "Zack Snyder: 'I don't have a rightwing political agenda. People see what they want to see'". The Guardian. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
46. "Started shooting #RebelMoon #stonequarry @netflixfilm bad ass pic of @djimon_hounsou courtesy of #zacksnyder #snydercut #LFG!!!!". Instagram. April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
47. McNary, Dave (September 3, 2020). "Zack Snyder's 'Army of the Dead' Gets Prequel Film, Anime Series at Netflix". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
48. Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2023). "Zack Snyder's Netflix Animated Series 'Twilight of the Gods' Brings on Xilam as Animation Studio". Variety.
49. Robinson, Jacob (June 10, 2021). "Zack Snyder Norse Anime 'Twilight of the Gods': Cast Reveal & What We Know So Far".
50. "Zack Snyder". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
51. "Music and Sound for Picture". Hayden Clement.
52. "EB Beer "Generals' Party"". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.

External links

• Cruel and Unusual Films – Snyder's production company
• Zack Snyder at IMDb
• Zack Snyder at the TCM Movie Database

• 1966 births
• Living people
• Action film directors
• American Christian Scientists
• American feminists
• Advertising directors
• American male screenwriters
• American music video directors
• People from Green Bay, Wisconsin
• People from Riverside, Connecticut
• Connecticut Democrats
• Science fiction film directors
• Writers from Greenwich, Connecticut
• Film directors from Connecticut
• Hugo Award-winning writers
• Film directors from Wisconsin
• Screenwriters from Wisconsin
• Screenwriters from Connecticut
• Film producers from Wisconsin
• Film producers from Connecticut