Joss Whedon Will Oversee the Completion of 'Justice League' Instead of Zack Snyder

Zack Snyder, who has been at the helm of a number of comic book adaptations and big-budget action blockbusters, is stepping down as the director of Justice League due to a family tragedy. Snyder was originally slated to help shoot and edit a few additional scenes to add to Justice League following the death of his daughter, but now the reins will be handed over to Avengers director and writer Joss Whedon. Whedon was set to wrap up additional will carry the project through its remaining post-production stage before its November 17 release later this year.

Snyder, whose daughter committed suicide in March at the age of 20, admits that he originally misjudged how the loss would affect his work. Snyder told They Hollywood Reporter:

“In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was way through it. 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.”