Movies That Have Everything Preview: Man of Steel

What's that up in the sky? It's bird! It's a plane! It's FINALLY the Superman movie we've all wanted since the good ol' Richard Donnor days! That’s right gang, Man of Steel is making is smash debut THIS WEEKEND from the best in the biz – David S. Goyer (Da Vinci’s Demons), Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins), and Zack Snyder (Watchmen). If these guys can’t pull it off, no one can!

It’s been a LONG time since we’ve had satisfying screen time with Superman, let alone a retelling of the first son of Krypton. With an all-star cast including Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, and Henry Cavill as a very convincing Clark Kent aka Superman going up against one of the biggest baddies in all of Superman mythology – General Zod portrayed by Michael Shannon. 
That’s right kids - KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!!

Man of Steel / 2013 Trailer

DC Comics / Warner Bros.

Michael Shannon seems to be playing Zod a bit differently than his predecessor Terrance Stamp (Superman II) as quoted in a recent interview: “He’s not a villain any more than any other General fighting to protect his people. He doesn’t like to just hurt people and steal diamonds; he’s focused on being successful at his job. I think the way Terrence Stamp approached it – and this isn’t any kind if criticism of his performance – there was something kind of detached about it. Pure hatred, rage, whatever… I think this [characterisation] is more ambiguous.”

Michael Shannon (Man of Steel; 2013) 

& Terence Stamp (Superman II; 1980) as General Zod

There are a few notable changes in the flick that most comic book aficionados will note including Supes' missing red briefs based on Jim Lee's most recent designs for the DC's New 52 which debuted last year. Henry Cavill stated that “We have absolute respect for what was then. But now is now. Even Superman in the new comics doesn’t have the briefs – he has the red belt, but not the briefs. It’s time for a change.”

Superman Illustrated by Jim Lee

The New 52 / DC Comics

That's not all kids! Rumor has it that Clark Kent's best buddy Jimmy Olsen may have been gender-bendered a bit in in this version of Superman as the character 'Jenny Olsen' (insert eye roll here). I guess we'll all have to wait and see if this is true or not and what the impact is to the overall story.

Believe it or not, both Goyer and Snyder will both be back for the sequels as Warner Bros. has already put this film on the franchise fast track. As far as it being a springboard for the long gestating Justice League movie, director Zack Snyder has been quoted as sheepishly remarking, “Um, how can I answer that?… I can’t really say anything to that, because that’s a big spoiler. I will say, yeah, they trust me to keep them on course.”

Such is another chapter of the Superman saga! So grab your cape and don those baby-blue's and soar on over to your local theater for another eye opening premiere this weekend!!!