By unveiling Darkseid in his Justice League trailer Zack Snyder has brought fans attention to DC’s Anti-Life Equation
An exciting part of the DCEU is their long list of captivating and genius antagonists. From the cunning Joker to the brilliant Lex Luthor, there is never a shortage of evil plays and plots as far as the DCEU is concerned. One villain with a very elaborate rap sheet in the DCEU is Darkseid. And the Snyder Cut is set to feature a lot of his activities. Darkseid was entirely cut from the theatrical version released in 2017 and was replaced with Steppenwolf. Trailer footage from the Snyder Cut revealed a young Darkseid as he struck the ground with a weapon.
What is Darkseid’s Anti-life Equation?
In DC Universe, Darkseid develops an Anti-Life Equation based on the Martian concept of the “Life Equation”. The Anti-Life Equation mathematically proves that hope, love, and freedom are all meaningless and effectively destroys a person’s free will. As we know, Snyder had long term plans for his 5-part Justice League series. And the Anti-Life Equation played a vital part in bringing the universe together.
Watch: Justice League: Director’s Cut | Official Teaser Update | HBO Max
But with change of direction in WB’s plans in 2017, the theatrical version of the Justice League showed Steppenwolf leading the charge to acquire the Mother Boxes. The Zack Snyder: Justice League will feature Darkseid instead.
A younger version of Darkseid (Uxas) debuts in Snyder Cut trailer and send fans in a frenzy. In the comics, Darkseid thought of the Anti-Life theory and attempts to invade Earth after he learns that the equation is embedded in the human subconsciousness. He supposedly needs this to complete his ultimate mission of taking away free will of all life. Hence, we see him striking the ground and the molten lava is the visual interpretation of the Anti-Life Equation.
Superman Falls to The Anti-Life Equation
Recently, Snyder revealed recently that the plan was for Superman to fall under the influence of the Anti-Life Equation. Further joining forces with Darkseid, setting up the events of the “Knightmare” storyline. On Vero, Snyder affirms Superman returns to the red and blue suit after he succumbs to the Anti-Life Equation. Thus, invocating the Knightmare sequence.
While fans are excited about Henry Cavill donning the Black Superman suit watching him play along Darkseid will be mind-bending. Nonetheless, ‘Love’ is a crucial element in the equation so, Louis Lane will play a very important role in Superman coming back to his senses.
How Justice League Can Stop Darkseid?
Darkseid’s invasion with his Apokoliptian army is going to be so intense it will involve interference from the Olympian gods. The teaser video showed Diana inspecting a mural that appears to be from Olympus, signalling that the gods – old and new – might be instrumental in driving back the Apokoliptic invasion.
Furthermore, the Amazons were center stage in the flashback of the theatrical version battling Steppenwolf who came for the Mother boxes in Themyscira. But many of those scenes were removed from the battle. Now, Snyder intends to give more time and attention to expanding the details of the invasion in the flashback.
Apart from restoring more fight scenes and sequences of the Amazon army, Snyder’s cut is set to feature a lot of other armies that were present in the resistance against the Apokolips invasion. Among the featured armies are the Vikings, Mongols and the Zulu. The idea is to highlight the major efforts all sections of humanity put into ensuring the Apokolips invasion was averted.
An Expansion of Snyder-verse?
Moreover, with much focus being taken away from Steppenwolf and Darkseid taking centre stage. It could be Snyder’s indirect way of setting up events for his planned five-part story for the Man of Steel. Nonetheless, any future projects would depend on the success of his version of the Justice League. With reports that a large amount of violence and profanity in the movie could earn it an R-rating, can Zack Snyder deliver a true masterpiece and perhaps create an alternate superhero universe of his own?
