UPDATE: With the release of Barbie, some viewers argue the joke in question was directed at Snyderverse fans instead of Warner Bros. However, Nick Tiffany notes, "It seemed like more of a joke that most guys just inherently love beer and trucks and are passionate about horses and guy things. One of those guy things being very passionate about Zack’s vision. Wasn’t really played as 'toxic men love Snyder.'"
The original story follows.
The release of Zack Snyder's Justice League cemented the Snyderverse fandom in the zeitgeist of pop culture, which has reportedly upset a lot of critics and Warner Bros. Executives. However, judging by a joke acknowledging this, the Barbie movie doesn’t seem too concerned.
This wouldn’t be the first time the Snyderverse fandom and the Snyder Cut of Justice League were acknowledged or referenced, such as Zack Snyder appearing in Teen Titans Go, The Harley Quinn Show poking fun at the Snyderverse fandom (with series producer Justin Halpern calling those fans “very good sports” for Snyderverse fans turning the joke into a positive for charity) and even in The Boys. The widely accepted superior cut of Justice League, true to the director’s vision, was not an easy battle fought for by fans. However, with the support from Snyder, WB eventually gave in during the height of the pandemic.
While it is not explicitly stated what the joke is, Barbie director Greta Gerwig was asked in an interview with Nerdist if she is scared of the potential impact the joke will have "on a particular fandom online." For a moment, Gerwig contemplates this, then the interviewer asks, “Do you get a free pass because Margot is in the DCEU?” Multiple sources on social media confirm that this joke references the Snyder Cut and fandom while also making sense of Gerwig being taken aback in the interview since those sources further added that the joke is actually on behalf of Snyderverse fans, pointing at WB instead.
Because Barbie is a WB production, the joke could be awkward for the company. Even so, it would certainly be fitting for Barbie, seeing as how its meta themes are said to be inspired by The Truman Show and other films. What’s also interesting is that the marketing for Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer are leaning into each other since they are being released on the same day, bringing further awareness to both films.
Nolan was a producer on the Snyderverse aspects of the DCEU, and it was reportedly his choice that Snyder jump-start the DC franchise with Man of Steel, so for Barbie to make a joke aimed at WB while siding with Universal's Oppenheimer, all while Nolan has distanced himself from WB, may suggest Barbie being anti-establishment. From what audiences are saying, the joke will land with those aware of the pop culture reference, at least to those who stand by artistic integrity and against studio management in such contexts.
Barbie will be released in theaters on July 21, 2023.
Source: Nerdist