There is a wealth of information in the latest article from Empire on MAN OF STEEL, where director Zack Snyder addresses the mythology of Superman, his take on the comic-book genre, the lasting power of WATCHMEN, and a number of other interesting bits that have helped shape his vision for the emerging franchise. When Snyder was first announced there was a lot of pros/cons coming from the fanbase, but the marketing and buzz from the film have seemingly proven to show Snyder’s interpretation of the Last Son of Krypton is spot on thus far.
In the article, it states that the expectation is for the studio to sign Snyder for JUSTICE LEAGUE if MAN OF STEEL is a success, saying:
“Warner Bros.’ long-term view has been revised to embrace this new vision, just as the Dark Knight films resisted the commodification of Marvel. Whether we get a Justice League, they say, depends on MAN OF STEEL. If we do, they say, Zack Snyder will be asked to direct.”
Snyder’s own perspective on the film and its potential success is modest, but hopeful:
“I have a hard time having perspective, but I have to say that it is everything that I could have hoped for. Touch wood that I am not insane, but it feels really good.”
Snyder on the comparison of MAN OF STEEL to THE DARK KNIGHT and Marvel films:
“When you talk about superhero action movies, there is Batman of course, and I think that Chris (Nolan) laid a lot of important groundwork. And there are the Marvel movies… I don’t mean it as an insult, Iron Man and Hulk are strong superheroes, but we’ve never had a superhero movie where everyone can go, ‘Yeah, I understand the why of the whole thing.’ Superman is a character who deciphers the why of superheroes.”
Snyder confirms that the film is his vision (which clocks in at a 2:28 runtime), saying: “The movie is the director’s cut.”
The director also touches on the backlash after he was announced as the director of MAN OF STEEL, saying:
“For me it is like, ‘Whatever.’ I don’t know what they really want, so it is impossible to really take that with anything but a grain of salt. Otherwise you would do nothing. They want the underwear! ‘Do you really?’”
Snyder also says that there are subtle hints of “Universe building” in MAN OF STEEL as they pertain to DC:
“in a weird way it is also the DC world. I have been making references to the DC universe, just to let you know that world is out there.”
Snyder’s take on Alan Moore’s WATCHMEN was a flop at the box office, but it’s been long thought of as a movie before its time, as general audiences didn’t understand a movie about the deconstruction of superheroes as the genre was just taking off. However, Snyder is pleased with his progression in superhero cinema:
“I was really glad I could do it in that order.” Snyder means Watchmen first, Man Of Steel afterwards. “The irony of Superman is that it is not ironic. The irony of Watchmen is that the whole thing is ironic.”
Lastly, Snyder discussed the use of 3D and the set-up of MAN OF STEEL as a franchise:
“By the way, we like to think that the 3D is just another way of seeing the movie. It is not Superman 3D, it is Man Of Steel, available in 3D.” As for the potential sequel: “We didn’t design the movie like Batman, but I don’t think anybody would say that you design a Superman movie as a one-off.”
Whew! A lot of info and lots more in the article. I’m excited to hear Snyder being excited. He most certainly sounds fully invested in MAN OF STEEL, hardly stepping in as someone just to “get the job done.” Judging by all we’ve seen thus far, MAN OF STEEL continues to be the movie to beat this summer.
MAN OF STEEL opens June 14, 2013.