Justice League: 10 Things That Have Threatened To Ruin The Hype

9. Zack Snyder's Departure

The circumstances of Zack Snyder's departure from the Justice League project - on which he will retain sole directorial credit - are a tragedy, and his decision to step away to focus on his family was completely understandable.

Unfortunately, it also fed into a negative squall of publicity that reflected badly on the film and on the fanbase, which all felt particularly distasteful, given that at its epicentre was a family struggling with profound, devastating news.

Unfortunately - and rather distastefully - that news was met by critics of Snyder as a good thing (despite the circumstances). There had already been high-profile petitions to have him removed, and some cynical readings suggested it fed into the story of frictions between the studio and the director. Hence rumours that Whedon was being tasked with "saving" the movie.

For fans of Snyder, his removal from the project was also a bad thing - particularly as they'd committed so heartily to his vision, and the idea of Joss Whedon replacing him was anathema. He was Marvelite, previously criticised by DCEU fanboys, and his style didn't seem to mesh with Snyder's.

And that's precisely why the marketing campaign since Whedon's hiring has been so focused on explaining in no uncertain terms that Justice League is still Zack's vision.