Despite having a loyal fanbase and several blockbusters under his belt, Zack Snyder may be finding that Hollywood’s doors no longer open as quickly as they once did.
During a lengthy interview with Variety promoting his new film, The Last Photograph, at the Toronto International Film Festival, the director addressed several assumptions frequently made by his critics. He also attempted to distance himself from the perception that he is somehow “right wing.”
ARMY OF THE DEAD (L to R) ZACK SNYDER (DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, WRITER) in ARMY OF THE DEAD. Cr. CLAY ENOS/NETFLIX © 2021
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His comments come as Snyder searches for a distributor for his latest effort, which appears far more grounded than his action epics. During the same interview, Snyder called himself “pro-gay” and described 300 as “the gayest movie ever made.” There is no indication that these remarks represent a coordinated effort to make The Last Photograph more appealing to a left-leaning industry, but the timing is difficult to ignore.
Zack Snyder Rejects the “Fascist” Label
During the interview, Snyder argued that his films are frequently dismissed simply because he made them.
“With me, it’s more clickable to say, ‘I hate Zack Snyder! He’s a fascist!’ than it is to say, ‘I saw the movie and it was cool,’” Snyder said. “Nobody gives a f— about that. And obviously, I’m not a fascist.”
The Last Photograph, an independently produced film from Snyder, is already receiving harsh reviews. Major outlets have described it as “pretentious,” “superficial,” “miserable,” and “undercooked.” Until general audiences can see the film for themselves, however, it remains unclear whether those criticisms will reflect the broader reception.
Still, Snyder appears optimistic and is already looking ahead to future projects. That is where the conversation becomes particularly interesting.
Snyder Still Wants to Adapt The Fountainhead
The Variety interviewer asked Snyder whether there were any other films he was “just dying to make.”
The director admitted that he still wants to make a Rick and Morty movie.
“It would be fun,” Snyder said. He then added, “For the longest time, I’ve been trying to make The Fountainhead into a movie or into TV show because it’s too long. I’ve written it.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 13: Zack Snyder attends the Netflix Premiere of Zack Snyder’s REBEL MOON – Part One: A Child of Fire at TCL Chinese Theatre on December 13, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
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When Variety pointed out that adapting the famous Ayn Rand novel was unlikely to “help with the right-wing allegations,” Snyder quickly agreed.
“I was going to say! That’s not going to help,” Snyder said. “But it’s an undeniably great book. What people don’t realize is that The Fountainhead in the 1950s was like Harry Potter now in terms of popularity. It was off the charts. Even just the why of that is worth it. And The Fountainhead is an insane melodrama. That’ll probably be my magnum opus. I’ll probably die on that one.”
Whatever Rand’s personal philosophy, The Fountainhead has been interpreted by many as an uncompromising defense of individualism, creative independence, and laissez-faire capitalism against collectivism and compromise. Those values have made the novel particularly influential among libertarians and American conservatives.
Snyder wants to emphasize the novel’s melodrama while distancing himself from those who identify with its socioeconomic themes. Whether audiences and critics would accept that distinction is another question entirely.
Escape From New York Could Come First
After discussing his desire to adapt The Fountainhead, Snyder pivoted to a more immediate project—one far removed from the ideological debates surrounding Rand.
“And Escape from New York is what we’re working on right now.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 13: (L-R) Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder attend the Netflix Premiere of Zack Snyder’s REBEL MOON – Part One: A Child of Fire at TCL Chinese Theatre on December 13, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Netflix)
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Whether either project could restore Snyder’s standing in Hollywood remains uncertain. The disastrous reception of the Rebel Moon films arguably damaged his career as much as, if not more than, the political views critics attribute to him. Still, Escape from New York offers recognizable intellectual property and a natural fit for his visual style. The Fountainhead, by contrast, would likely intensify the very arguments Snyder may believe are limiting his opportunities.
Snyder may reject efforts to label him right-wing, but his continued interest in The Fountainhead inevitably complicates that message. Fairly or not, the novel’s association with Rand’s philosophy ensures that any adaptation would be viewed through an ideological lens. Snyder may primarily see the project as an ambitious melodrama, but convincing his critics to separate its story from its politics could prove difficult.
Do you think that Zack Snyder is attempting to distance himself from being called “right wing”? Sound off and let us know!
