With over 11 films and its first TV show, the DC Extended Universe has delighted (and sometimes perplexed) audiences around the world. Its films are jam-packed, yet there are still so many deleted scenes or alternate takes cut throughout nearly every production. Some have since been released or incorporated in extended editions, but others are only known through interviews with directors and writers.
While Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman 1984 did not have any deleted scenes – or not enough to warrant a discussion – these deleted scenes could’ve helped flesh out characters and/or tease the future.
Man Of Steel – Clark & Johnathan Go Fishing
The film that launched the DCEU, Man Of Steel is close to reaching an important milestone: its tenth anniversary. Following Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and competing with the growing juggernaut of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Man Of Steel reintroduced Superman through a darker perspective to audiences around the world.
Henry Cavill took on the lead role as adult Clark Kent/Kal-El, but many deleted scenes pertain to his character’s youth, including one in which a baby Clark went to the doctor and first displayed his powers. However, there is another in which a teenage Clark goes on a fishing trip with his father, played by Kevin Costner, after being bullied at school. This would’ve allowed for more depth in the father/son relationship, which, though important, was partly lacking.
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice – Searching For Martha
Following a three-year dark period, the DCEU returned with its second film, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. It was initially set to be a Man of Steel sequel, which could still happen, but it ended up being more of a Justice League prequel. Uniting Cavill’s Superman with Ben Affleck’s Batman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, this film was exceptionally long, at two-and-a-half hours runtime.
It got even longer with an ultimate edition later, but there was still something left on the cutting room floor. There was an interesting sequence while Superman is searching for his kidnapped mother, Martha. He ends up utilizing his superhearing to discern her location, but in doing so, he hears the cries of the city and the crimes being committed. This highlights a darker, selfish side of the characters, and if it would be included, it could help tease the potential Knightmare sequence in which he turns evil.
Suicide Squad – Harley’s Motorcycle Chase
The DCEU continued its polarizing success with 2016’s Suicide Squad. While some elements were not well-received – especially in comparison to its 2021 sequel – Margot Robbie and Will Smith stole the show as Harley Quinn and Deadshot, respectively. Suicide Squad also received an extended cut, incorporating several deleted scenes from the original theatrical version to better share director, David Ayer’s vision.
One such scene was an epic motorcycle scene with Harley chasing after the Joker after he broke out of Arkham Asylum. Not only is it an exciting action sequence, but it greatly exemplifies how far Harley had fallen from her former life as a psychiatrist – she even murders an innocent truck driver to declare her love for the Joker, who is of course, abusively cold. This scene would’ve surely helped audiences understand Harley even more in the original cut.
Wonder Woman – Etta’s Mission
The DCEU began a sort of rehabilitation with Patty Jenkin’s Wonder Woman, which earned incredibly positive reviews upon its release in 2017. In comparison to past MCU films that perhaps felt a bit bogged down and overloaded, this film kept it relatively simple, focusing on a single protagonist and their compelling story. According to Jenkins, there was very little that was cut from Wonder Woman.
Of the scrapped material, there was one scene that did get some new life. Entitled Etta’s Mission, the short scene showcases Lucy Davis as Etta Candy, along with the Wonder Men going out on a new mission following the film’s end in search of a mysterious artifact, the Motherbox, thus setting up the plot for Justice League. It was released as a short film on the Wonder Woman Blu-ray, but it very well should’ve just been the film’s post-credits scene if they hadn’t wanted to distinguish themselves from the MCU.
Aquaman – Arthur Discovers His Powers
It seems that Aquaman continued what Wonder Woman started, following the character’s official introduction in Justice League. This showcased how important it was to set up each important character in the shared universe, instead of piling them all together at the start. Aquaman director, James Wan, has revealed little regarding deleted scenes for the film. However, two scenes could’ve potentially made the final cut.
One entails Jason Momoa’s Aquaman getting thrown in jail only to start a prison riot. This would certainly have been entertaining given Momoa’s keen sense of humor in the role. The other scene, though, might make an even better case for not being cut. This involves a young Arthur Curry being dared to swim deep in the ocean. He would’ve gotten stuck and seemingly drowned, but then he would learn of his abilities and then meet Willem Dafoe as Vulko. While there is already a training montage in Aquaman, this could’ve helped with understanding the relationship between these two.
Shazam! – The Seventh Throne
While he might still be known as Captain Marvel to some comic book fans, Zachary Levi’s character in the DCEU goes by Shazam. Obviously, this was done due to the popular character of the same name from Marvel comics. The 2019 film, Shazam! came as a surprise to many viewers as a critical and commercial success, compared to other DCEU films – perhaps due to it being the most comparable to MCU films for its lighter tone and youthful aesthetic.
There were many variations of scenes and deleted moments that never made it into the final cut, like one that might’ve helped Shazam! propel the DCEU along. This scene would be at the end – again probably in a post-credits scene – with Shazam and his newly powered-up family taking their seats at their thrones, only to discover one is left empty. This would tease Black Adam and the Rock’s character.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League – Creating Parademons
Fans around the world rejoiced when Zack Snyder’s Justice League was released on HBO Max in March 2021 with an incredible run time of just over four hours – though it’s broken up into parts. As such, fans might think that there isn’t much that could’ve been cut, but there was.
For example, recently, an image was released of Wayne T. Carr as John Stewart in an alternate scene, which was filmed on Snyder’s driveway. This would’ve replaced the arrival of the Martian Manhunter, and perhaps it will be incorporated in the supposed Green Lantern HBO Max series. Nevertheless, a more appropriate and interesting selection would’ve showcased the conversion of humans into Parademons, Darkseid’s minions. It was never filmed, but fans would find it interesting – and in a four-hour film, what’s a few minutes more.
The Suicide Squad – Ratcatcher, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, & The Thinker
Following Suicide Squad, many viewers were extremely skeptical of any such future story in the DCEU. However, James Gunn did the unexpected and made one of the best films in the entire franchise with The Suicide Squad. It perfectly encapsulates how an ensemble/team-up film can be done right while remaining loyal to the franchise tone.
One scene deserved to make the final cut for showcasing new fan favorites. In it, Ratcatcher searches for the missing King Shark, thinking he’s eaten some kids, only to discover he is playing with them. Meanwhile, Polka-Dot Man and the Thinker talk, with the latter trying to manipulate his escape, but ending up getting shot in the ear. This scene would’ve added fuel to the fire of Ratcatcher and King Shark quickly becoming beloved characters, perhaps even worthy of their own spin-off, like Peacemaker.
Peacemaker – Season 1 – The Entire Justice League
James Gunn quickly returned to the DCEU after directing The Suicide Squad to make the franchise’s first foray into television with Peacemaker. In doing so, he made one of the most exciting and entertaining projects of 2022. Throughout the series, John Cena’s character, Christopher Smith aka Peacemaker, made consistent comments and digs at other major DCEU characters, like saying Aquaman has sex with fish.
This all paid out in the end when the Justice League finally arrived, though two characters were missing. There has been no end to the speculation regarding why Batman and Cyborg were cut out of the final edit – though it seems to be affected supposedly by the changing landscape of the franchise. Nevertheless, there is supposedly nearly 20 minutes of unused footage from this scene, and it would’ve been even more exciting to have seen more of it fleshed out with the entire Justice League.
