2S.RUMOR: Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of WBD could revive the Snyder Universe — and early inside sources claim Aquaman’s story could be restored exactly as Zack Snyder intended. But one leaked detail is causing a stir among fans.

In the swirling sands of Hollywood speculation, a massive rumor has erupted. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly on the verge of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

This potential $70 billion deal could upend the entertainment world. Early inside sources whisper that it might revive the long-dormant Snyder Universe. Fans of Zack Snyder’s gritty, mythic take on DC heroes are buzzing with hope.

The rumor gained traction just days ago, fueled by reports from Variety and Deadline. A coalition involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Qatar and Abu Dhabi, is backing a bid.

Initially pegged at $71 billion through Paramount Skydance, the talks have evolved. Hollywood producer Patrick Caligiuri claims the Saudis are “one signature away” from sealing it. This isn’t mere gossip; it’s tied to real geopolitical moves, like Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit.

For the uninitiated, the Snyder Universe—often called the DCEU—began with Snyder’s 2013 Man of Steel. It painted Superman as a brooding god among men, Batman as a vengeful knight, and Wonder Woman as an ancient warrior reborn. The trilogy peaked with the divisive

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016.

But tragedy struck: Snyder stepped away after a family loss, leading to Joss Whedon’s reshot Justice League flop. Fans rallied with #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, and in 2021, HBO Max delivered the four-hour opus. Yet, under CEO David Zaslav, WBD shelved it all for James Gunn’s brighter DCU reboot.

Now, with WBD’s board eyeing bids amid $40 billion in debt, the Saudis emerge as wild cards. Their PIF has poured billions into sports, gaming, and film. Think LIV Golf or the $55 billion Electronic Arts stake. Acquiring WBD would net DC Comics, HBO, CNN, and franchises like

Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. But insiders say the real prize is Snyder’s vision.

Sources tell Cosmic Book News that Zack Snyder could return, not for an Elseworlds side project, but to helm a full revival. Christopher Nolan, Snyder’s mentor from 

300, might consult too. Nolan’s epic scope could elevate it to Marvel-rivaling heights.

Imagine: a Snyder-led event film to counter Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday. Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel soaring again, Ben Affleck’s battered Batman lurking in shadows, Gal Gadot’s fierce Diana charging into myth. Even Jason Momoa as Aquaman—Snyder’s intended linchpin—could anchor oceanic epics. Snyder’s recent Instagram posts of DCEU behind-the-scenes fuel the fire.

He’s liking #RestoreTheSnyderVerse fan art, teasing unfinished business. His Saudi ties run deep: he’s directing Brawler, a UFC film backed by Turki Alalshikh’s General Entertainment Authority. That March 2025 tweet—”big surprise soon”—now reads like prophecy.

But one leaked detail is causing a stir among fans, threatening to drown the hype in controversy. According to anonymous sources close to the negotiations, Aquaman’s story arc would be restored “exactly as Zack Snyder intended.” In Snyder’s original blueprint, Arthur Curry wasn’t just a tattooed brawler ruling Atlantis.

He was a reluctant messiah, torn between surface-world exile and underwater destiny, echoing Man of Steel‘s isolation themes. Snyder envisioned a darker, more tragic hero—scarred by his half-breed heritage, haunted by royal betrayals, and wielding the trident as a burden, not a badge of honor.

This “exact restoration” reportedly includes shelved scripts from 2017, where Aquaman’s solo film tied directly into Justice League 2. There, he’d confront ancient sea gods, allying with Mera in a blood-soaked civil war. No quippy humor, no PG-13 levity—just operatic violence and existential dread.

Jason Momoa, who channeled Snyder’s intensity in early cuts, would reprise without the James Wan polish that softened it for 2018’s blockbuster. Fans adore Momoa’s charisma, but purists crave Snyder’s unfiltered edge. The leak suggests WBD’s vaults hold 40 minutes of raw Aquaman footage, ready for integration.

The stir comes from the “exact” part—implying no compromises, even for modern sensitivities. Snyder’s style is polarizing: slow-motion deconstructions, graphic deaths, and philosophical monologues. Aquaman’s restored arc allegedly features a brutal patricide scene, where he slays King Orm in ritual combat, blood staining the throne room.

It’s Shakespearean, say supporters, but critics decry it as gratuitous. Social media erupted; #SnyderAquaman trended with 150,000 posts in 24 hours. One X user quipped, “Finally, Aquaman gets the Darkseid treatment—drowning in slo-mo tears.” Others worry it’ll alienate casual viewers, dooming box office hopes.

Yet, this leak underscores the rumor’s allure. Saudi backers, flush with oil wealth, see DC as a soft-power tool. Alalshikh, the entertainment czar, has transformed Riyadh into a global hub—hosting UFC, boxing, even a

Star Wars exhibit.

A Snyder revival fits their bold playbook: think Kingdom of Heaven epics, but with superheroes. Nolan’s involvement adds gravitas; his Oppenheimer proved audiences crave intellectual blockbusters. Together, they could forge a DCU that blends spectacle with substance, outpacing Gunn’s quippy slate, which has stumbled—

Supergirl reshoots delay 2026 release.

Skeptics abound, of course. Paramount denied Arab fund involvement, calling reports “categorically inaccurate.” Netflix lurks as a bidder, favoring streaming over theaters, which could bury Snyder’s visuals in algorithms. Comcast eyes HBO Max carve-outs, diluting the package. And Zaslav? He’s torched bridges, canceling Batgirl and alienating Snyder fans. If the deal sours, #RestoreTheSnyderVerse might fade again. But Caligiuri’s Saudi contacts insist: bids close by November 20th, with PIF leading at $70 billion cash.

Fan reactions paint a divided sea. Snyder loyalists on Reddit’s r/SnyderCut hail it as redemption—posts like “Saudis > Zaslav” rack up thousands of upvotes. Aquaman enthusiasts debate the leak fiercely: “Momoa’s arc needs Snyder’s depth, not Wan’s memes,” one argues. Others fear cultural clashes; Saudi oversight might censor queer elements from The Flash crossovers. Yet, optimism surges—X threads buzz with mock trailers, envisioning Aquaman’s trident clashing against Darkseid’s omega beams in IMAX glory.

Broader implications ripple outward. A Saudi-WBD merger could birth mega-theme parks in NEOM, blending DC lore with Arabian motifs—Atlantis meets Aladdin. Streaming wars intensify; HBO Max, rebranded, streams Snyder cuts globally, challenging Disney+. For actors, it’s a lifeline: Cavill, sidelined post-The Witcher, eyes Superman’s cape. Affleck, retired from Batman, might unretire for one last Knightfall arc. Momoa, post-Aquaman 2‘s $400 million flop, craves a gritty reboot to reclaim his throne.

As November 23rd dawns, the rumor mill churns. Trump’s $1 trillion Saudi investment pledge at the White House dinner—attended by Paramount’s David Ellison—adds intrigue. Is it coincidence, or chess? Snyder, ever cryptic, posted a trident emoji last night. Fans parse it like prophecy. If true, this acquisition isn’t just business—it’s resurrection. The Snyder Universe, buried under corporate sands, could rise like Atlantis from the deep. But that leaked Aquaman detail? It’s the kraken in the room, stirring waves of debate. Will fidelity to Snyder’s vision drown the dream, or propel it to legendary depths?

Hollywood holds its breath. In a year of reboots and reckonings, Saudi gold might forge the boldest one yet. DC’s gods await their director’s call—or their desert exile. The stir rages on, but hope glimmers: perhaps, at last, the Snyder tide turns.