Zack Snyder’s Hidden Fantasy Film

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Known primarily for his work in the superhero genre, having led popular adaptations of DC characters such as Watchmen, Man of Steel, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, this director also has an unrecognized gem under his belt: a lesser-known animated fantasy film. This overlooked creation will be re-released next month.

Starting May 1st, enthusiasts of Snyder can stream the animated fantasy adventure film “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” on Max. Based on the beloved book series “Guardians of Ga’Hoole” by Kathryn Lasky, this movie follows the story of a barn owl named Soren who is abducted and sent to St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls, run by the tyrannical duo Metal Beak and Nyra. Here, young owls are manipulated into becoming soldiers. Soren makes an ally in another owl named Gylfie, and together they plot their escape to reach the Island of Ga’Hoole, rallying new companions along the way to confront Metal Beak and Nyra’s wicked forces.

Prior to the release of “Twilight of the Gods” on Netflix in 2024, Zack Snyder had only ventured into animation with “Legend of the Guardians”. This film was penned by John Orloff and Emil Stern, and it brought to life the fantasy tale based on the first three books in the “Guardians of Ga’Hoole” series – specifically, “The Capture”, “The Journey”, and “The Rescue”. Produced as a joint effort between the US and Australia by Village Roadshow Pictures and Animal Logic, “Legend of the Guardians” was their follow-up project after the success of their 2006 film, “Happy Feet”.

Starring Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Emily Barclay, Abbie Cornish, and Sam Neill, among others, Legend of the Guardians managed to rake in over $140 million globally despite a production budget of $80 million. However, this film was met with mixed reactions from critics. They appreciated the movie’s somber tone, animation quality, and voice performances, but felt let down by the adaptations made to the original story. On Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator site, only 52% of reviews were favorable, giving Legend of the Guardians a “rotten” rating.

What’s Next for Zack Snyder?

Following his departure from Warner Bros., Zack Snyder has now set his sights on his upcoming ventures. Firstly, he’s working on a new project that’s being developed at Netflix, and secondly, he’s collaborating on a different endeavor with the UFC for its realization.

Every great fighter has an inspiring backstory. I’m thrilled to be collaborating with UFC to bring this captivating tale to life.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole arrives on Max on May 1.

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2025-04-23 20:26