‘Justice League’ Spoilers: Why Did Joss Whedon Take Over From Zack Snyder?

Director Zack Snyder was determined to complete the highly anticipated “Justice League” movie for this year’s November release, starring Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Ezra Miller as the Flash.

However, he had no choice but to hand over the reins to “Avengers” director Joss Whedon since it is difficult for him to direct the movie while mourning the loss of his daughter, Autumn, who committed suicide in March at the age of 20.

Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter that he wanted to bury himself in work to cope with the loss of his daughter, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. “In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was the way through it,” he said while in his office on the Warner Bros. lot. “The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all-consuming. And in the last two months, I’ve come to the realization … I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.”

READ: Gal Gadot shares sneak peek of ‘Justice League’

He got Whedon to help write additional scenes for the movie, but Warner Bros. Pictures president Toby Emmerich said they are still making an effort to “adhere to the style and tone and the template that Zack set.” “We’re not introducing any new characters. It’s the same characters in some new scenes. He’s handing the baton to Joss, but the course has really been set by Zack. I still believe that despite this tragedy, we’ll still end up with a great movie,” said Emmerich.

Autumn is Snyder’s daughter from his first marriage with Denise Snyder. He is now married to Deborah Snyder, and together they have seven kids and step-kids.

For fans who are worried that “Justice League” might suffer from his departure, Snyder assured them: “I know the fans are going to be worried about the movie, but there are seven other kids that need me. In the end, it’s just a movie. It’s a great movie. But it’s just a movie.”

Before “Justice League” hits cinemas, however, DC fans will first be treated to Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman.”

Gal Gadot, who plays the titular superhero, is hopeful that the movie will be well-received by fans and that her character will inspire people to spread love instead of hate. “With this character, what I love about her so much is that her agenda is love. It’s not about fighting, it’s not about who is stronger than whom; it’s not about women versus men. It’s about love, and acceptance of others. She stands for love, justice and compassion,” she said during a chat with We Got This Covered.

“Wonder Woman” will be released on June 2, while “Justice League” will hit cinemas on Nov. 17.