'Justice League:' Zack Snyder Steps Down as Director After Family Tragedy, Joss Whedon to Take Over

Zack Snyder has stepped down as director of Warner Bros.’ Fall tentpole “Justice League” following a family tragedy, TheWrap has confirmed.

Joss Whedon is filling in as director to finish the film which comes out November 17. Snyder and Whedon have been collaborating together for more than a month, persons with knowledge of the production tell TheWrap. Whedon and Snyder have been writing new scenes for additional photography scheduled for early summer. The collaboration serves as Whedon’s entrance into the DC extended universe — Whedon has also signed on to direct a standalone “Batgirl” film.

Snyder’s daughter, Autumn Snyder, died by suicide in March at age 20. Snyder and his wife Deborah Snyder, who is a producer on “Justice League,” had initially taken a short break to mourn, returning to the production after two weeks. They are now steeping aside entirely.

“In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was way through it,” Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the story. “The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all consuming. And in the last two months I’ve come to the realization …I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.”

DC Films 'Justice League': What We Know So Far (Photos)

"Justice League" is exactly a year away as the film will be released in theaters on Nov. 17, 2017. Here's what we know so far.
Warner Bros.
Ben Affleck will return as Batman and have an upgraded Tactical Batsuit along with enhancements to the Batmobile.
Warner Bros.
Gal Gadot will return as Wonder Woman and work with Batman to recruit other metahumans to fight off an intergalactic threat.
Warner Bros.
Henry Cavill will return as Superman after he “died” in the climactic battle of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Exactly how, remains unknown.
Warner Bros.
Ezra Miller will star as Barry Allen a.k.a. "The Flash" and feature a costume created by Bruce Wayne's Wayne Tech.
Warner Bros.
Jason Momoa will star as Aquaman and play the metahuman most reluctant to join the "Justice League." We will also get a first look at Atlantis.
Warner Bros.
Ray Fisher will star as Cyborg whose suit will be made from alien technology. Cyborg has two modes: Battle Mode and also a civilian mode.
Warner Bros.
Amber Heard will star as Mera, Queen of Atlantis and will reprise her role in the "Aquaman" standalone film.
Warner Bros.
J.K. Simmons will play Gotham City's Commissioner Gordon and alert the "Justice League" about the Alien threat which is kidnapping scientists around Earth.
Warner Bros.
Darkseid's presence will loom large in "Justice League" as the film's prologue introduces the New God while ancient Amazonians, Atlanteans, and pre-historic humans fight him off Earth.
DC Comics
New God Steppenwolf will be the main villain in "Justice League" and be portrayed by "Game of Thrones" Ciaran Hinds as TheWrap exclusively reported.
Getty/DC Comics
A member of the Green Lantern Corps. will be seen in "Justice League" in a key sequence.
Warner Bros.
There are three motherboxes on Earth in the care of the Amazonians, mankind, and the Atlanteans. Steppenwolf comes to Earth to retrieve them.
Warner Bros.
Assassin Deathstroke will make a small cameo in "Justice League." Joe Maganiello will play the character before reprising the role in "The Batman."
Warner Bros.
If you enjoyed this gallery, check out 14 Biggest Superhero Movies Opening in 2017, From ‘Power Rangers’ to ‘Wonder Woman’ (Photos)