'Superman: Man of Steel' Update 03.21.11

Ma & Pa Kent casting, why Cavill got the title role, and a whole lot more...




If your wondering about the title, Superman: Man of Steel has really just been thrown around a lot, but I haven't heard an official announcement as of yet. Seems quite appropriate, considering this film's reboot status.


In 1986, John Byrne rebooted the classic character in a mini-series titled The Man of Steel. It was a modern retelling of the Superman mythos so it fit into new continuity after the mega huge event Crisis on Infinite Earths. So basically, what this movie is doing now.


I'll turn the nerd off and we'll get back to the news now.


While a lot of people have been wondering if this is an actual reboot, or would draw on previous movies, director Zack Snyder confirms it will not be connected to previous movies. /Film reports:

When Bryan Singer made Superman Returns, he was very specific in making a film that felt in many ways  like a sequel to the original 1978 Superman by Richard Donner. The titles, the music, the costume — all were chosen to reflect the ’78 film. That became one of many discussion points for the movie. For some the homage to Richard Donner was a great thing; for others it was one of several big missteps in Bryan Singer’s movie.

Now Zack Snyder says that we should expect his Superman, which stars Henry Cavill as the man from Krypton, to be tied to no previous film featuring the character.

The director tells the LA Times,

Literally, the one thing that everyone can start to think about is that we’re making a movie that finally goes with the approach that there’s been no other Superman movies. If you look at  ‘Batman Begins,’ there’s that structure, there’s the canon that we know about and respect but on other hand there’s this approach that pre-supposes that there haven’t been any other movies.  In every aspect of design and of story, the whole thing is very much from that perspective of respect the canon but don’t be a slave to the movies.

Moving on to the cast of the movie, Snyder talks about what got Henry Cavill the role of Superman. Splashpage has the interview:


When MTV News caught up with Snyder during a press event for his new film "Sucker Punch," we asked him what won Cavill the Superman role over other rumored contenders like "True Blood" actor Joe Manganiello.

"Henry's just ... I love Joe too, by the way," Snyder told MTV News. "Really he was the only other guy I was thinking of, to be honest, other than Henry."

"In the end, I think Henry just has this innocence, too [in addition to the physicality required for the role]," he continued. "He has both, which is tricky. Superman needs the teeniest bit of that. Not to be overt, but you like it to be there ever so slightly. I mean, he grew up in Kansas, that's just true, so you need a little of that [innocence]."

Sadly, Snyder deftly avoided much our probing for more details about the super-secret project, comparing the level of secrecy surrounding "Man Of Steel" to "building a stealth bomber"...

You can check the link for the video. So I guess we won't be getting a lot of story details for this one, looks like Nolan is rubbing off on people. Now we'll talk about the casting of Ma & Pa Kent. 


Splashpage has an interview with Diane Lane over her casting as Martha Kent, Superman's adoptive mother:

“It’s going to be a wild ride,” Lane told USA Weekend of the "Superman" reboot, which casts her as Martha Kent, adoptive mother to the last son of Krypton.

Lane said she recently watched Snyder's "Watchmen" in order to prep for Snyder's unique filmmaking style and vision, and "to remind myself of what an audacious, brilliant man Zack Snyder is."

"I love 300 and I’m very flattered to play Martha Kent and live up to his vision, she added. "It’s pretty cool.”

For Lane, the task of bringing up the Man of Steel is as much an opportunity as a challenge — especially given the actresses who have played the role before her. Eva Marie Saint played Martha Kent most recently in "Superman Returns," while Phyllis Thaxter played the role in all four of the original "Superman" films. Annette O'Toole also plays Mom to a significantly younger Superman in the "Smallville" television series.

“I’ve always wanted to raise a good man,” laughed Lane. “I thought that was the biggest challenge a woman could have, and so I get the embarrassment of riches.”

With no offense meant to the previous actresses, Lane is easily the hottest Ma Kent I've ever seen. Seriously, have you seen Unfaithful? Plus, I could buy her as the mother of Superman, especially when you consider who was cast as her husband, Jonathan Kent. Oh right, I didn't tell you who yet. But if you read the last 'Superman' Update, you would already have a pretty good idea. Cinema Blend reports:

Back in February, the internet nearly exploded when it was reported that director Zack Snyder was looking at Kevin Costner to play Superman's earthly father, Jonathan Kent. At that time it was nothing more than speculation, but fans largely agreed that it was inspired casting, Costner having spent much of his career building the necessary gravitas to play that type of character. Now it's all but 100% official. 

Deadline is reporting that a deal with Kevin Costner to play Pa Kent in Snyder's Superman reboot has been closed.


As I said in the Update, I think that this is great casting. Costner has spent a career playing this role, and I can't wait to see him and Lane as the driving force behind Clark's growth into Superman.


Over at Latino Review, they have an exclusive interview with Snyder, where he gives us a little about, well just a little on a lot of stuff:

You've said that this new Superman was not going to be related to the previous ones and act as if they didn't exist a la "Batman Begins.” What do you want to bring to this Superman film that was not brought on the previous ones?

Zack Snyder: I don’t think it’s about trying not to do what’s been done.  It’s just when I say that I mean that’s a way for us to start fresh and kind of be able to say what mythology do we want to sort of endorse or exploit.  Look all of us involved with project have a great respect for Superman. Trust me when I say I want this movie to be awesome and I want Superman to be awesome, you know that’s true.  It’s not so much about like what I do and don’t want to do in regards to what’s been done, we need to like…I think for the audiences stake you want us to shed that…let that weight off our shoulders so we can go and make a great movie.

Will the film have a big Kryptonian mythology?

Zack Snyder: I can’t say because it gives too much away, but it’s safe to say that we have a great respect for the character.

Being that you have strong female components in your movies, will we see a strong female character in Superman?

Zack Snyder: I can’t say of course. I wish I could straighten it out for you at this moment but I can’t really.



Come on we broke Superman stories already…

Zack Snyder: (Laughs) I feel that.

Okay how about this...Is Viggo Mortensen still a person of interest in Superman now that he’s locked into Snow White?

Zack Snyder: Yeah Viggo is not going to be in the movie let’s say that right now. I can clear that up.

Will this Superman be Luthor-Less?

Zack Snyder: I can’t answer that [laughs].

Is it true that Lois Lane has to be in the film due to legal issues?

Zack Snyder: Oh, jeez. I didn’t know that.  We’re not doing anything as far as the story goes that’s influenced by any legal issue.

Can you elaborate where you are at with the film?

Zack Snyder: Yeah, we’re just in pre-production right now, we’re working every day trying to get it together and it’s looking awesome and we are going to probably start shooting at the end of the summer.

I guess this Superman film and the Donner film have something in common? They were released in December.

Zack Snyder: Oh yeah, although I’m not even sure if that date will hold but if does then that will be awesome.


He's really not giving us a whole lot. But that's okay, it's still early. I'm looking forward to seeing more about this, especially seeing Cavill in the suit.


What do you think of the casting of Ma & Pa Kent? Are you upset that Viggo Mortensen won't be in the movie?


Sound off in the comments section below!