It’s probably the worst-kept secret in the DCEU – but actor Ray Porter has officially confirmed he was set to play villain Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s Justice League before his role was cut from the theatrical release.
Porter revealed the news on Twitter, adding he’s finally been given permission to let the cat out of the Mother Box. It’s an odd decision given the timing of the Snyder Cut announcement last week. Could something be cooking with the Justified actor appearing in the HBO Max release?
He posted: “Because I’ve been given permission... Hi, I’m Ray. I played Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. There. It’s out now.”
That said, and because I’ve been given permission...Hi, I’m Ray. I played Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s “Justice League”. There. It’s out now.May 22, 2020
As for the character itself, Darkseid – A New God who makes Thanos look pretty playful by comparison – was due to show up towards the end of the Justice League’s fight with Steppenwolf in Snyder’s original vision for the DC team-up, as well as in a brief “History” section at the beginning of the film.
After Snyder stepped down and Joss Whedon was drafted in, plans for that and a Justice League trilogy (one that would’ve seen Darkseid take over Earth) were scuttled. But that might not be the end for the Big Bad of the DC Universe.
As of July 2019, Darkseid is set to appear in Ava DuVernay’s New Gods, though it’s not yet known if Ray Porter will be reprising the role.
Yet, it’s towards 2021’s Snyder Cut where eyes are inevitably drawn. If it is a return to Zack Snyder’s Justice League, deleted scenes and all, then Darkseid has to play a part. Porter suddenly stepping into the spotlight could indicate that we’re potentially getting major story changes as part of the Snyder Cut package.
For more from the DCEU and superhero movies-at-large, check out these features...
- Here’s what the Justice League cast have to say about the Snyder Cut announcement
- How the Justice League Snyder Cut could change the DCEU forever
- New superhero movies: every Marvel, DC, and comic book movie flying your way
