5 Best and 5 Worst Snyder’s DCEU Castings

Movie enthusiasts are well aware that Zack Snyder evokes strong opinions in the world of cinema—you either love his films or loathe them. There’s little middle ground with Snyder; his distinct vision either captivates audiences completely or leaves them dismissing his work as absurd. Known for his adaptations of comic books, Snyder once held significant influence over the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), contributing both its highlights and low points.

This article revisits Snyder’s tenure in the DCEU, focusing on casting decisions. We’ll compile lists of the five best and five worst castings from Snyder’s era, ranking them from 5th to 1st place—reflecting from least problematic to most outstanding, depending on the category. Stay tuned to see where your favorites fall!

Bad #5: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn

This statement might stir controversy, but we believe Robbie wasn’t the optimal choice for the role. While she embodied the visual aesthetic, her portrayal leaned more towards a wannabe-punk princess, resembling a character better suited for Snyder’s Sucker Punch rather than the DCEU. We feel she didn’t quite capture the essence of the character effectively.

Good #5: Henry Cavill as Superman

Regardless of your overall opinion of the character, Cavill’s Superman was undeniably superb. His interpretation was brilliant, and had it not been for unfortunate behind-the-scenes decisions, we might have witnessed an even more majestic portrayal of the character. Nevertheless, Cavill unquestionably stood out as one of the finest castings.

Bad #4: Amber Heard as Mera

It’s not that Heard performed poorly in this role—she simply didn’t have enough opportunity to develop as a character in the DCEU. However, casting her was a controversial decision from the start, and it proved to be justified. Mera, more or less, remains a forgettable character in the DCEU.

Good #4: Ben Affleck as Batman

Snyder envisioned a distinct version of Batman, and surprisingly, Ben Affleck perfectly embodied Snyder’s vision. Affleck excelled in the role, displaying evident enthusiasm that solidified his place among the top five best castings in the DCEU.

Bad #3: Ezra Miller as The Flash

Initially, casting Miller as Barry Allen seemed reasonable, and nominally, he wasn’t a wrong choice. However, similar to Heard’s situation, it turned out to be a misstep. The Flash solo film ended up as a significant disappointment, and in hindsight, Miller’s casting stands out as one of Snyder’s worst decisions.

Good #3: Viola Davis as Amanda Waller

We weren’t initially sure about this casting, but Viola Davis not only mastered the role of Amanda Waller, she also became one of the standout characters in the entire DCEU. This is why we wholeheartedly commend this decision. Davis’s exceptional acting brought multiple dimensions to the role that we truly admire.

Bad #2: Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam

Initially, it seemed like a perfect casting choice, but when Johnson sought to influence the direction of the DCEU, it disrupted many plans, particularly those involving Shazam. While Johnson’s performance wasn’t entirely lacking, considering the aftermath, it’s clear in hindsight that the decision was ill-advised.

Good #2: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

Despite the shortcomings of the second movie, Gadot consistently shone in every scene she graced. She embodied Wonder Woman flawlessly, and as far as we’re concerned, no one else can fill her shoes in the role. Even in the face of lesser films, she managed to elevate them with her greatness.

Bad #1: Jared Leto as The Joker

They continue to assert that Leto’s role was undermined in post-production, promising a stellar performance that never materialized. However, what we witnessed was disappointing. It’s not that Leto isn’t suited for the role; rather, the entire concept was flawed, and Leto, instead of standing out, seemed to conform to it, which is why we are critical. His portrayal also feels misplaced, as if he wandered from the set of Sucker Punch into the DCEU.

Good #1: Jason Momoa as Aquaman

Sure, he’s not blonde, but Jason Momoa embodies Aquaman. It’s his look, his demeanor, his acting—it all screams Aquaman. Casting Momoa, despite the disappointing second solo movie, was one of Snyder’s best decisions, and we have to give it the top spot in our article.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!