Zack Snyder Steps Down from 'Justice League' Following Daughter's Suicide

Joss Whedon has signed on to complete the film

BY Josiah HughesPublished May 23, 2017

Prominent director Zack Snyder has opted to step down from helming Justice League following a family tragedy. His daughter Autumn Snyder took her own life in March at the age of 20.

Snyder had initially planned to continue working on the film as a way to work through his grief, though The Hollywood Reporter has now confirmed that he has decided to spend time with his family instead.

"In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was the way through it," he said. "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."

"I want the movie to be amazing, and I'm a fan, but that all pales pretty quickly in comparison," he added. "I know the fans are going to be worried about the movie, but there are seven other kids that need me. In the end, it's just a movie. It's a great movie. But it's just a movie."

In Snyder's place, the film will now be completed by Joss Whedon. As such, it's still on track for a November 2017 release date.

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