Zack Snyder's Justice League - Characters & Cast

To honor Superman's memory by uniting a team of heroes powerful enough to defend the world in his absence. He is driven by the promise he made on Superman's grave and the fear of an impending alien threat he foresaw.

Following his xenophobic rage and paranoia in Batman v Superman, Bruce Wayne's arc in this film is one of redemption. Fueled by guilt and inspired by Superman's selfless sacrifice, he sheds his cynicism and embraces faith. His journey is to transform from a lone, brutal vigilante into the leader and founder of the Justice League, learning to trust others and operate as part of a team. His primary role shifts from combatant to strategist and unifier.

Initially, his motivation is to understand the nature of his new existence and the alien technology that powers him. He is drawn into the conflict when his father is kidnapped and he realizes the Mother Box that created him is part of a larger threat. Ultimately, he is motivated to protect his new friends and the world.

Victor's journey is the emotional core of the film. Initially, he sees himself as a monster, broken and destroyed by the accident that took his mother and his body. He is isolated and resentful of his father for turning him into a machine. Through joining the league and seeing the potential of his powers for good, he learns to accept his new identity. His arc culminates in him declaring, "I'm not broken," signifying his self-acceptance and embrace of his role as a hero.

Upon his return, his primary motivation is to protect his loved ones, Lois and Martha, and by extension, the world he has chosen as his home. He becomes the league's most powerful asset, driven by a clear sense of duty and love for humanity.

Superman's arc is one of completion. Having died to save humanity, his resurrection allows him to fully embrace his role as a symbol of hope. Initially disoriented and powerful, he is brought back to himself by Lois Lane and his mother. His return solidifies his journey from a conflicted outsider (in Man of Steel) and a feared god (in Batman v Superman) to the true, classic hero he was always meant to be, now fully integrated with both his Kryptonian heritage and his adopted world.

To conquer 50,000 more worlds to pay off a debt to Darkseid and end his exile. He seeks to unite the three Mother Boxes on Earth to summon his master and prove his worth, hoping to finally be allowed to come home to Apokolips.

In contrast to the 2017 version, this Steppenwolf has a clearer and more tragic arc. He is not a generic conqueror but a disgraced lieutenant, exiled by his master Darkseid for a past betrayal. His conquest of Earth is a desperate, violent pilgrimage to appease Darkseid and earn his way back into the fold. This adds a layer of motivation beyond simple villainy; he is driven by a desire for redemption in the eyes of his tyrannical leader, making his actions more desperate and his design more intimidating.