Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel has divided the DC fanbase and general audiences for more than a decade. It seems everyone has a different opinion when it comes to this film. However, nowadays, more people are appreciating what the film tried to do regarding reinventing Superman. But before anyone else, there was one acclaimed filmmaker who always had faith in Snyder’s work- Christopher Nolan.
The Tenet filmmaker was involved as a producer and writer for the divisive Superman movie that began the DCEU. Even though Nolan is protective of his Dark Knight trilogy, he even considered letting Man of Steel be a part of that universe. Also, during various interviews, the acclaimed director praised Snyder’s vision to the zenith.
Christopher Nolan Revealed His Thoughts On Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel
In Daniel Wallace’s book Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman, some statements by Christopher Nolan shed light on his thoughts about the film. The Memento director defended the Henry Cavill-led film as well as Zack Snyder’s plans for it. The Interstellar director said:
“I believe that what Zack has done in Man of Steel will define Superman for our time. […] I’ve seen a lot of concept art in my time, but I’ve rarely seen such focused visual power. And I’ve rarely seen the promise of such imagery actually delivered onto the screen. But that’s what Zack does.”
Even though plenty of people have criticized the plot, themes, and characterization of Superman in Man of Steel, many have praised Zack Snyder for his technical prowess in the film. From the iconic Flight scene to the fight sequences and the world-building of Krypton, viewers appreciated it all.
But this isn’t the only time Nolan has sung praises of Zack Snyder. Once he dispelled the rumors that Man of Steel was made on the same template as the Dark Knight trilogy.
Christopher Nolan Defended Zack Snyder From Man of Steel Haters
For a long time, critics of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel accused the movie of trying to emulate the template of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. But Nolan clarified that Batman and Superman were treated differently in a 2012 interview with IndieWire. He said:
“It’s very much Zack’s film and I think people are going to love what he’s done. I think it’s really remarkable to take on that character. Superman is a completely different character than Batman, so you can’t in any way use the same template.”
The director explained that all David Goyer and Zack Snyder wanted to do was make the character of Superman relatable for today’s audiences. He elaborated that:
“David Goyer had this, I thought, brilliant way to make Superman relatable and relevant for his audience. Zack has built on that and I think it’s incredible what he’s putting together.”
Whether for better or for worse, Zack Snyder’s DCEU era is over. James Gunn and Peter Safran are now the co-CEOs of DC Studios and they have announced Chapter 1 of their new plans for the DCU. It now remains to be seen if Gunn can make the DC franchise reach the heights it deserves.
Man of Steel is streaming on Netflix.
Source: Man of Steel book and IndieWire
