Zack Snyder Steps Down From JUSTICE LEAGUE Following Family Tragedy; Joss Whedon Stepping In

Director Zack Snyder is stepping away from Justice League, which is currently in post-production. Snyder is taking the break to spend time with family after his daughter tragically died last March by suicide.

Snyder tells The Hollywood Reporter: "I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me."

Snyder's wife, Deborah Snyder, who is a producer on Justice League, will be taking a break as well to focus on family.

Joss Whedon, who has plenty of superhero experience will be taking over responsibilities on Justice League. 

The death of Snyder's 20-year old daughter has been kept secret, and Snyder planned on returning to finish the movie, but he says it's best if he just steps away from the project to focus on family.

“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,” says an emotional Snyder in an interview Monday in his office on the Warner Bros. lot with Deborah sitting by his side. “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.”

Warner Brothers has extended Snyder's first look deal and the movie is still on track for its November 17th release.