Ray Fisher, Joss Whedon, and Moving Forward Post ‘Justice League’

The debacle between Cyborg actor Ray Fisher and director Joss Whedon/Warner Bros. Executives has been an exceedingly complicated story of the past year. Leading to investigations, firings, and eventual a release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Now with the film released and the hype for Cyborg more popular than ever, interest in why the theatrical cut of Justice League became what it was has hit its own peak too. And that peak came in the form of Ray Fisher and The Hollywood Reporter.

In article published by The Hollywood Reporter, Cyborg actor, Ray Fisher, fully opens up about what he allegedly went through on the set of 2017’s Justice League movie.Fisher began by discussing “unprofessional” and “abusive” behavior from long time writer-director Joss Whedon, when Whedon was tapped to do reshoots on an eventual 2017 Justice League. This included alleged quotes such as “It feels like I’m taking notes right now, and I don’t like taking notes from anybody— not even Robert Downey Jr.” And overall Fisher tweeting about his unpleasant experience on the set.

Following these accusations against Whedon, there was an investigation with no concrete results. This led to Fisher being upset and discussing other uncomfortable experiences he had with Warner Execs including Walter Hamada. Overall, it seemed that Fisher and Warner could never get on the same page one way or the other.

Now, after the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, there seems to be a clear difference between the Cyborg in the 2017 theatrical cut, and the one in the latest cut of the film. Cyborg is clearly the heart of that film and screenwriter Chris Terrio always imagined it that way. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter saying, “Zack and I always considered Cyborg’s story to be the heart of the movie.” Continuing by say that Cyborg  “has the most pronounced character arc of any of the heroes. He is whole and that he is loved.”

It is a clear sentiment that got fully fleshed out in the most recent cut of Justice League, but after the debacle with Fisher, it seems more and more likely he will no longer be playing Cyborg in the DCEU, though he did return at some point in the last year for a few additional shots in Snyder’s cut of the film.

Though audiences fully got to see Cyborg’s arc, there are currently no future plan for the character, whether that be a solo film, a part in The Flash, or even another Justice League. Fisher says he doesn’t “believe some of these [executives] are fit for positions of leadership,” though he does not want anyone fired. “I don’t want them excommunicated from Hollywood, but I don’t think they should be in charge of the hiring and firing of other people.”

It is unclear what is next in this saga, but one thing is for sure post the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, where people raved about Ray Fisher and Cyborg unanimously, perhaps there is a future with Cyborg, or perhaps not. Overall, Fisher seemingly has enough support from fans and colleagues to stay relevant in Hollywood.

Tyler Justin Pruyn: Aspiring writer, editor, and hairstylist.
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