Joss Whedon takes over ‘Justice League,’ Zack Snyder steps down amid tragedy

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Marvel's first television series, is from executive producers Joss Whedon ("Marvel's The Avengers," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen, who co-wrote the pilot ("Dollhouse," "Dr.Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"). Jeffrey Bell ("Angel," "Alias") and Jeph Loeb ("Smallville," "Lost," "Heroes") also serve as executive producers. "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television. (ABC/Bob D'Amico) JOSS WHEDON (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)

It’s with mixed emotions that the web reports a change of guard for the JUSTICE LEAGUE film. Joss Whedon is reportedly taking over the helming of the film following the departure of Zack Snyder. The suicide death of Snyder’s daughter in March has prompted the director to step down, with Warner hiring the Avengers: Age of Ultron director to finish the project.

“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,” an emotional Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”

Whedon will complete the film in time for the November 2017 release, before beginning work on his Batgirl film.

The official synopsis for the film: “Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.”

JUSTICE LEAGUE will be released on 16 November 2017 in Australia from Roadshow Films, following a 10 November 2017 release in the US.