Zack Snyder

In 2004, he founded the production company The Stone Quarry[19] (formerly Cruel and Unusual Films, Inc.) alongside his wife, Deborah Snyder, and producing partner, Wesley Coller.

• Name — Zack Snyder • Birth Name — Zachary Edward Snyder • Born — 1 March 1966 • Birthplace — Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. • Education — Art Center College of Design (BFA) • Occupation — * Film director • film producer • screenwriter • cinematographer • Years Active — 1989–present • Spouse — * Denise Weber (divorced) • Children — 8

Zachary Edward Snyder was born on March 1, 1966, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and raised in Riverside[2] of Greenwich, Connecticut. His mother, Marsha Manley (Reeves), 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.[3] Marsha always nurtured her son's artistic side, buying him his first film camera.[6] He has an older sister, Audrey.[7] He also had an older brother, Sam, who died in a car accident when Snyder was a teenager.[8] Snyder was raised as a Christian Scientist, and attended a summer camp in Harrison, Maine, run by the church. He studied painting a year after high school at Heatherley School of Fine Art in England, although he had already begun filmmaking.[9] Back in high school, Snyder struggled due to his dyslexia and made his first film there with the camera his mother bought him, using it to make an unflattering commentary about his school's administration that got him expelled. Afterward, Snyder attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. His classmates included fellow future Hollywood directors Michael Bay and Tarsem Singh. Singh starred in a short film by Snyder.[10] He graduated with a BFA in film in 1989.[11] 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".[12]

• Illustration — Snyder at Sydney premiere for Man of Steel After graduating, Snyder directed commercials as well as music videos for ZZ Top and Morrissey, where he met his future wife Deborah, who was then a music producer. Sony bought Snyder to direct his near-feature length S.W.A.T. (2003).[13] Snyder would leave shortly after as he wanted the film to be rated R, and Clark Johnson would replace him soon after.[14] Snyder directed "Respect" for Budweiser, which came out in February 2002. The 60-second commercial depicts a group of horses traveling toward the site of the 9/11 terror attacks to pay their respects to the victims with a bow.[15] 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,[16] 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.[17] Snyder directed Warner Bros.' 2017 Justice League, but he exited during post-production to deal with the death of his daughter, Autumn Snyder.[18] 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.[20] On May 20, 2020, Snyder announced that Zack Snyder's Justice League would be released on the streaming service HBO Max in 2021.[21] The film was released on March 18, 2021, dedicated to the memory of his daughter Autumn. In July 2021, Snyder was officially announced to be developing the film Rebel Moon for Netflix. It was inspired by Star Wars and the films of Akira Kurosawa.[22] Filming began in April 2022 and lasted until November that year, with the project being developed as a two-part film.[23] Snyder also produced and directed two episodes of Twilight of the Gods, an anime-style web series inspired by Norse mythology, for Netflix.[25]

As of February 2021, Snyder was developing a King Arthur film, which he said would be a "faithful retelling"[26] set during the American Gold rush era.[27] 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.[29] In May 2021, it was reported that Snyder had been developing Horse Latitudes, a film about two war photographers since 2011, although the project was on hold while he works at Netflix.[30] After a period of relative silence on the film, he mentioned to DC Cinematic Cast on September 13, 2024, that Horse Latitudes had found an investor.[31] In August 2025, it's been retitled to The Last Photograph with Stuart Martin and Fra Fee joining the cast.[32] Snyder held the television rights to an adaptation of Black Kiss, a late-1980s comic by Howard Chaykin. Snyder wrote the pilot, but could not find any takers.[33] In June 2021, Snyder expressed interest in directing a science fiction film adaptation of the Adult Swim cartoon series Rick and Morty, feeling that such a film would be the closest project he could tackle to make a comedy film.[34] In a November 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder stated that while he no longer had any interest in tackling superhero comic book adaptations in light of the DCEU continuity's conclusion with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, he would only consider returning for the DC Universe if James Gunn invited him back to direct a faithful adaptation of Miller's The Dark Knight Returns comic book. Gunn himself consulted Snyder about the looks of David Corenswet's Superman suit for Superman.[35] As of November 2024, Snyder is set to direct a new feature action film for Netflix, centered around the Los Angeles Police Department, co-writing the script with frequent collaborator Kurt Johnstad.[36] Blood and Ashes would have been the third film set in the world of 300. Snyder and Johnstad wrote the movie during the COVID-19 pandemic on request from Warner Bros, but Warner did not pick the project up. What started as the final piece of a trilogy became its own story as it developed, separate from the main plot of the franchise, but part of the same world. The film would have been a love story about Alexander the Great's relationship with Hephaestion during a time of war.[37] It likely would have been a loose adaptation of the Alexander the Great segments from Frank Miller's graphic novel Xerxes. In 2023, the Stone Quarry gained the movie rights from Warner Bros. In April 2025, it was reported that Snyder would be directing the film titled Brawler, a film about the UFC, with the involvement from Turki Al-Sheikh and Dana White. Snyder will write the screenplay alongside Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad.[38] Snyder is set to direct a reimagining of John Carpenter's film Escape from New York. Carpenter is due to serve as executive producer on the film project.[39]

Snyder often uses slow motion, particularly the technique of speed ramping, in and out of the fight scenes in his films. This differs 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.[40] Snyder said: 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.[42]

In 2009, Snyder listed Excalibur, Mad Max 2, A Clockwork Orange, Blue Velvet, and RoboCop as his five favorite films.[47][48]

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 City.[49] 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.[51]

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.[52] 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.[53] Snyder directed two PSAs for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2018.[56] In 2021, Snyder partnered with Save the Children, a global child rights organization, to build a 100-bed temporary hospital facility in New Delhi to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[57]

Although his films have been critiqued as having "right-wing" messages,[58] politically, Snyder is a Democrat. He endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, he stated:

• Illustration — Snyder at 2013 San Diego Comic-Con

• Year — Artist — Song • 1989 — Lizzy Borden — "Love Is a Crime" • 1992 — Peter Murphy — "You're So Close" • Morrissey — "Tomorrow" • Soul Asylum — "Somebody to Shove" • 1993 — "Black Gold" • Alexander O'Neal — "In the Middle" • Paul Westerberg — "World Class Fad" • 1994 — ZZ Top — "World of Swirl" • Dionne Farris — "I Know" • 1995 — Rod Stewart — "Leave Virginia Alone" • 2009 — My Chemical Romance — "Desolation Row"

• Year — Title — Creator — Director — Executive Producer — Notes • 2024 — Twilight of the Gods[63] — Directed 2 episodes; Co-created with Jay Oliva and Eric Carrasco[64] Acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2022 — Teen Titans Go! — Himself — Episode: "365!" • 2025 — The Studio — Episode "The Golden Globes" • Rick and Morty — Episode "Ricker than Fiction"[67]

Despite his cinematic vision giving rise to polarized opinions, Zack Snyder is strongly recognized for bringing a very influential cinematic language to mainstream Hollywood from the 2000s onwards,[74] notable for adopting a high level of visual refinement, epic stories and films with deconstructivist and political narratives,[75] which is reflected in the existence of several films with a large scale of production and long duration, such as Zack Snyder's Justice League. Oscar-winner director James Cameron, in an interview given to Comic Book Debate about the filmmakers that have at times influenced him, mentioned that the work Snyder did on 300 was pretty revolutionary at the time and introduced a new "cinematic language", along with the names of Robert Rodriguez and Ridley Scott.[77] Christopher Nolan, one of the most awarded directors of the 21st century, pointed Snyder's work as a contemporary influency on science fiction and superhero movies, stating that "There's no superhero science-fiction film coming out these days where (he) don't see some influence of Zack".[78] He also emphasized the emotional power that is very characteristic of Snyder's filmography: "When you watch a Zack Snyder film, you see and feel his love for the potential of cinema. The potential of it to be fantastical, to be heightened in its reality, but to move you and to excite you." Nolan is particularly fond of two of Snyder's films: Man of Steel and Watchmen. With regard to the former, he singled it out for its dramatic impact, highlighted by a scene about fatherhood between Clark and Jonathan Kent: "The moment in Man of Steel where Kevin Costner tells young Clark that whatever his origin, he's still his son puts a lump in my throat every time."[79] In Watchmen, its emphasis is on the avant-garde element of the work in the genre of superhero films, especially films dealing with groups of heroes and their complex interactions: "I've always believed Watchmen was ahead of its time. The idea of a superhero team, which it so brilliantly subverts, wasn't yet a thing in movies. It would have been fascinating to see it released post-Avengers." Snyder is also recognized by his strong visual storytelling. In a commentary about his horror-remake Dawn of the Dead, Stephen King, one of the most notable writers of horror novels of all time, described his movie as "scary" and "perfectly crafted", especially its opening sequence: "Genius perfected would be Zack Snyder's 2004 Dawn [of the Dead] remake, which begins with one of the best opening sequences of a horror film ever made."[80] However, his best-known work came to be Zack Snyder's Justice League, the result of a huge grassroots campaign for the release of the director's version of Justice League, which fell victim to a series of alterations after the director stepped down following the death of his daughter. Renowned directors and filmmakers such as Hideo Kojima,[81] the Russo Brothers,[82] David Lowery,[83] Kevin Smith[84] and Ben Affleck[85] expressed their support for the director's cut. It was responsible for turning Snyder into a pop culture phenomenon, generating several references in the industry for its enormous adherence to the director's cuts. In addition to his work as a director, Snyder also stands out for writing scripts and stories for many films he directs or only produces, with a special mention for Wonder Woman, named one of the 10 best films of 2017 by the American Film Institute.[86] He is also one of the highest-grossing film directors of all time, being in the top 40 of the worldwide ranking.[87]

• Year — Title — Credited as — Notes • Director — Writer — Producer — DoP • 2004 — Dawn of the Dead • 2006 — 300 — Co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon • 2009 — Watchmen • 2010 — Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole • 2011 — Sucker Punch — Co-wrote with Steve Shibuya • 2013 — Man of Steel • 2016 — Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice • 2017 — Justice League — Story — Co-wrote story with Chris Terrio • 2021 — Zack Snyder's Justice League — Story — Co-wrote story with Chris Terrio and Will Beall • Army of the Dead — Co-wrote with Shay Hatten and Joby Harold • 2023 — Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire — Co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten • 2024 — Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver • 2026 — The Last Photograph — Story Key • Denotes films that have not yet been released As writer or producer only • Year — Title — Credited as — Title • Writer — Producer • 2014 — 300: Rise of an Empire — Co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad • 2016 — Suicide Squad — Executive — Also directed the Flash cameo shot • 2017 — Wonder Woman — Story — Co-wrote story with Allan Heinberg and Jason Fuchs • 2018 — Aquaman — Executive • 2020 — Wonder Woman 1984 • 2021 — The Suicide Squad — Executive • Army of Thieves — Story — Co-wrote story with Shay Hatten

• Year — Title — Credited as — Notes • Director — Writer — Producer — DoP • 1990 — Playground — Direct-to-video documentary • 2004 — The Lost Tape: Andy's Terrifying Last Days Revealed • 2009 — Tales of the Black Freighter — Executive — Direct-to-video • Under the Hood — Executive • 2013 — Superman 75th Anniversary — Story — Co-wrote story with Bruce Timm • 2017 — Snow Steam Iron — Shot on a mobile phone[62]