Justice League Director Steps Aside After Daughter's Death

Zack Snyder has stepped down from his role as director for the ensemble superhero movie "Justice League" after the recent death of his daughter.

A source close to production who was not authorized to speak publicly said Monday that director Joss Whedon would take over completing the film, which should still hit its Nov. 17 release.

Snyder and his wife and producing partner Deborah Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter they will be using the time away to focus on their family and seven children.

The Reporter story stated Snyder's 20-year-old daughter, Autumn, killed herself in March. Coroner's spokesman Ed Winter said Autumn Snyder's March 12 death is being investigated as a possible suicide due to an overdose of prescription medications. The official cause of death has been deferred pending toxicology results.

Snyder told the magazine that at first he tried to throw himself back into work, but in the past two months realized he needed to be with his family — especially as additional photography shoots in London loomed on the horizon.

"They are all having a hard time. I'm having a hard time," Snyder said.

The Snyders are cornerstone players in Warner Bros. production of DC Comics films. He directed both "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Man of Steel" and is serving as a producer on the additional films in the DC Universe, including last year's "Suicide Squad" and the upcoming "Wonder Woman."

"Justice League" is a critical entry in the slate of DC films, bringing together major superheroes like Ben Affleck's Batman, Henry Cavill's Superman, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller's The Flash and Jason Momoa's Aquaman.

No More Justice League

All the cast members for the Justice League of America film were all on set and ready to begin filming when Warner Brothers decided to pull the plug on the film. All of the contracts of the actors were allowed to expire. Although Warner Brothers claims they were halting filming because of tax issues and whether Justice League would qualify for tax discounts, the real reason it was halted is because the script sucks and it needs to be fixed. One problem is that you can't fix it without writers and so the project says buh bye for now.

Warner Brothers did tell the cast that the film would be made in the future and that all of the cast would be brought back as well. If I were the cast I wouldn't believe that line for one second. The cast doesn't have any contracts, they weren't pay or play so they probably didn't get paid very much, and they gave up other work to take this work. A year from now when Warner Brothers has fresher faces in the roles all these cast members can at least say were the original choice which will be really nice when they are sitting in the theater watching someone else on the screen in their role.

The George Miller-helmed production was rumored to star former OC actor Adam Brody as The Flash, alongside Armie Hammer Jr (Batman), rapper Common (Green Lantern), Megan Gale (Wonder Woman) and Scott Porter (Superman). Wolf Creek actress Theresa Palmer was also lined up to play Superman's love interest Talia al Ghul.

Introducing Wonder Woman

Teresa Palmer has been cast as Wonder Woman in the new Justice League of America film. Palmer beat out Minka Kelly and Mary Elizabeth Winstead for the role. Allegedly Jessica Biel turned down the role when it was offered to her by director George Miller because Jessica wanted to keep starring in films no one sees, being box office poison for established stars, and making sure that people never take her seriously as an actress. Good luck on that Jessica.

(Very deep voice) Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice. Kind of a nice segue. All the episodes say that. Yea, I know, I know. I should watch something else on Saturday mornings.

I'm sure absolutely none of you have heard of Teresa Palmer, but she is 21, from Australia and stars in December Boys with Daniel Radcliffe. In the US she is probably best known for her work on Grudge 2.