The DCEU’s Biggest Plotline From Zack Snyder’s Original Plans Just Came Back In DC’s Newest Show

Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Kite Man: Hell Yeah episode 1, “Pilot, Hell Yeah!”

Kite Man: Hell Yeah! has become an unlikely conduit to actualize Zack Snyder’s original plan for the DCEU, which was unfortunately disregarded before it could be fully realized. Kite Man: Hell Yeah! is a spin-off from HBO’s Harley Quinn animated series, which proffered a darkly comic interpretation of DC’s Rogue’s gallery. Among these was perhaps the worst supervillain ever created – Kite Man. While the series originally introduced him as a joke, his role in the series proved to be so popular that he received his own solo series.

Zack Snyder was the original creative force in the DCEU, having directed Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, Snyder sadly had to step away from production of Justice League after his daughter died. Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to finish the movie, but also added a slightly lighter and streamlined tone. This was retained throughout the DCEU timeline, effectively cutting short Snyder’s original plan for the DC franchise, which has since been adopted by Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

DC’s Kite Man Shows Bring The Anti-Life Equation Back In A Truly Surprising Story Twist

The Anti-Life Equation, one of the most formidable forces in the DC Universe, makes a surprising and pivotal appearance in Kite Man: Hell Yeah! The Anti-Life Equation is a powerful formula that grants its wielder the ability to control all sentient life in the universe, bending their will to the user’s commands. Historically, it has been sought after by dark entities like Darkseid, who aim to use its power for domination. During Kite Man: Hell Yeah! season 1, episode 1 “Pilot, Hell Yeah!,” Lex Luthor reveals that he has somehow acquired the Anti-Life equation.

Throughout the first episode of Kite Man, several people try to capture the Anti-Life Equation, prompting Luthor to secrete the formula in an unlikely hiding spot. Luthor decides to secretly hide the Anti-Life Equation inside the walk-in freezer in Kite Man’s new dive bar, Noonan’s. This established the show’s premise, with Darkseid en route through space to locate the Anti-Life Equation. Meanwhile, an unbeknownst Kite Man attempts to run a bar while proving himself a respectable villain in the DC landscape.

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Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Uses The Anti-Life Equation In A Very Different Way To The DCEU

Zack Snyder’s original vision for the DCEU included a significant storyline involving the Anti-Life Equation. Initially, Snyder intended to introduce this dark concept in Justice League, with Steppenwolf revealing his plans to supply Darkseid with the formula. Darkseid and his attempts to use the Anti-Life Equation would then be fully explored in two further Justice League movies.

However, the Anti-Life Equation (and Darkseid) were major components removed from Justice League by Joss Whedon and Warner Bros. Though this narrative was reinstatement in the Snyder Cut, the DCEU had moved in a different direction tonally by that time. As a result, Darkseid’s search for the Anti-Life Equation, and the cosmic consequences of this, were dropped from the DCEU. Kite Man: Hell Yeah is recommencing this narrative, though with its own unique perspective.

Why The Anti-Life Equation Appearing In Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Works For The Show

The charm of Kite Man in both Harley Quinn and Kite-Man: Hell Yeah! lies in the juxtaposition of the mundane and the extraordinary. Kite Man, whose real name is Charles “Chuck” Brown, is a character often dismissed due to his gimmicky kite-themed persona. However, the shows delve into his character, portraying him as a relatable and unexpectedly resourceful protagonist.

That said, Kite Man is still very much depicted as a slightly limp villain who is largely ineffectual. The fact he now possesses the Anti-Life Equation is brilliant because the wannabe villain is oblivious to the power hiding in his freezer. This reflects the show’s theme of contrasting huge, cosmic-scale grandeur with the absrud foe.

The Anti-Life Equation and Darkseid’s impending arrival is a huge narrative that deserves to be taken seriously – and would have flourished in Snyder’s dark and gritty DCEU. Instead, this narrative is hilariously contrasted against the happy-go-lucky exploits of DC’s worst villain. This does, however, offer some interesting possible developments.

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Possessing the Anti-Life Equation, could mean that Kite Man is triumphant at establishing himself as a respectable antagonist. More likely, Kite Man will fail miserably, or perhaps even remain oblivious to the awesome power unutilized in his freezer. Kite Man: Hell Yeah! effectively introduced high stakes but in a very playful manner, encapsulating the tone that made Kite Man a success in Harley Quinn.

Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Kite Man, along with his partner Golden Glider, ventures into the world of business by opening Noonan’s, a dive bar in Gotham’s underworld, shadowed by Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. The couple balances their criminal exploits with managing the bar, where Gotham’s infamous rogues come to unwind. The series, spinning off from “Harley Quinn,” showcases the humorous and chaotic private lives of these villains, filled with absurd heists and personal drama.

Cast

Kaley Cuoco , Keith David , Jonathan Banks , Natasia Demetriou , Lance Reddick , Michael Imperioli , Stephanie Hsu , Judith Light

Release Date

July 18, 2024