On Man of Steel:
Darren Aronofsky, Duncan Jones, Ben Affleck, Tony Scott, Matt Reeves and Jonathan Liebesman were considered to direct the movie before Zack Snyder was later chosen.
Natalie Portman, Charlotte Riley, Anne Hathaway, Dianna Agron, Kristen Stewart, Malin Akerman, Rachel McAdams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kristen Bell, Lake Bell, Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis and Jessica Biel were considered to play Lois Lane.
Ben Affleck turned down directing the film because he wasn't experienced in VFX shots: "A lesson I've learned is to not look at movies based on budget, how much they'll spend on effects or where they will shoot. Story is what's important."
Matthew Goode, Armie Hammer, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Zac Efron and Colin O'Donoghue were on the final shortlist for the lead role. Henry Cavill was finally cast. He was the front runner to play Superman in another Superman movie (working title: flyby) but the the movie failed to be greenlit and Brandon Routh was cast in 'Superman Returns' instead. Cavill was also runner-up to Daniel Craig for the James Bond role in 'Casino Royale.'
Julianne Moore, Lisa Rinna, Jodie Foster, Sela Ward and Elisabeth Shue were considered for the role of Martha Kent.
Dennis Quaid, Bruce Greenwood, Michael Biehn and Kurt Russell were considered for the role of Jonathan Kent.
Viggo Mortensen was considered to play General Zod.
Amanda Seyfried auditioned for a role but was turned down.
Prior to being cast as Lois, Amy Adams had two previous Superman connections. Adams played Jodi Melville in 'Smallville.' This is her third time auditioning for Lois Lane. She first read for Lois Lane in Brett Ratner's abandoned film, then for Superman Returns. Adams has stated that it became ridiculous and this time she had to play Lois and put her stamp on it.
Both director Bryan Singer and actor Brandon Routh expressed interest in reprising their positions from Superman Returns on this film; Singer had originally outlined several sequels to follow his story, and Routh was contracted as well. When Warner Bros. announced this film as a "clean reboot" from Singer's film, Routh still expressed interest in returning before Zack Snyder declared that this movie would have no ties to any previous cinematic incarnation of the character.
Henry Cavill is the first non-American actor to play the role of Clark Kent. London-born Lee Quigley played Superman as a baby in Superman.
Russell Crowe becomes the second Oscar winner to portray Jor-El after Marlon Brando. Crowe once had a song with his band "Rus Le Roq" entitled "I want to be like Marlon Brando".
The film is set to release in June of 2013, the 75th anniversary of Superman. The first appearance of the character was in "Action Comics #1" in 1938.
The monologue used by Jor-El (Russell Crowe) in the teaser trailer is taken directly from Grant Morrison's "All-Star Superman", widely considered one of the best Superman stories ever written.
This is the first Superman feature film that doesn't incorporate the word "Superman" in its title. Interestingly enough, the first Batman film to not incorporate the word "Batman" was Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight which like, Man of Steel, is the main character's nickname.
The first Superman film not to feature Kryptonite, Superman's main weakness.
Diretor Zack Snyder enlisted the services of Gym Jones to get lead star Henry Cavill in shape for this role. Snyder had first worked with Gym Jones on 300 and then subsequently collaborated with them for all his live action films, to get his cast into the right physical shape.
For his physical preparation on Man Of Steel, Henry Cavill had to start from scratch because for his previous film, The Cold Light of Day, director Mabrouk El Mechri made him lose the "eight pack" and the muscular physique that he had built for Immortals. He was asked to let go completely and stop all training to get the body of an ordinary man. For Man Of Steel, after months of training, Cavill got his physique and "eight pack" back but said that he would never let go again, whatever they offered him.
Henry Cavill said that he was on a diet of 5000 calories while bulking (putting on mass), dropped down to 3500 calories to get into suit-shape and then further dropped down to 2500 calories for his shirtless scenes.
The idea that Superman's S-Shield means "hope" comes from Mark Waid's Superman: Birthright series: The S-Shield is the Kryptonian symbol for "hope" and Superman believes it may have begun as a coat of arms for the House of El.
Henry Cavill and Russell Crowe had met years prior to playing father and son when Henry was an extra in Proof of Life and received words of encouragement to pursue acting and an autographed picture from Crowe, who was his favorite actor.
According to David S. Goyer, the story's major theme is first contact: "We approached Superman as if it weren't a comic book movie, as if it were real. He's an alien. If the world found out he existed, it would be the biggest thing that ever happened in human history. Just his existence would change the face of the Earth forever."
I’m definitely seeing this, I love love watching behind scenes stuff and this documentary has all of the big names in it. This is a can’t miss for film lovers and filmmaker wannabes out there. It’s great seeing which filmmakers prefer to shoot on film or digital.
I’m planning to shoot another short movie this spring, I just hope I won’t get into a fight with my editor and video guy like I did last time.
Yeah I think this is right up your alley, Ted. I hope this gets shown in the theater here otherwise it’d be a while before it gets to dvd.
Hey, you gotta tell me more about your short movie!
I have two shorts I want to shoot, one will be 20 to 30 mins long while the other will be 1 to 2 mins. I’m putting a new team together and see how much I can afford to pay them. I finished both of the scripts, now I have to hire actors, editor and a camera guy.
Ted,
is there any way to check out the other films you’ve done. I’d be interested in checking them out. I’d also love to hear some of the war stories about the your shoots. I just read an interview where Soderbergh and Lem Dobbs, the writer of The Limey, had it out on the commentary track over the changes Soderbergh made during editing. I’ll have to borrow the DVD from a friend to check it out. Here’s the article where Steven talks about it: http://www.avclub.com/articles/steven-soderbergh,67814/
Wow… it certainly has the who’s who of digital filmmaking. What’s really great is how all this technology trickles down to independent filmmakers by putting the technology within reach of the little guy.
At the bottom of this review of Canon’s EOS C300, their first foray into motion picture cameras, there are some indie shorts shot digitally. It’s amazing what is being shot at the indie level now. Especially the Blade Runner inspired film, XXIT, at the bottom. Check ‘em out.
http://www.pauljoy.com/2011/12/canon-c300-first-look-review/
Here’s Wired’s write up on the film and a great “making of” video for those interested in the behind the scenes of XXIT using Canon’s EOS C300 to get the look of the film. I highly recommend this Ted.
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/11/xxit/
Just saw the trailer for this on another site and as you know I’m a big fan of documentaries and this is one I’m looking forward to a lot as it has some big names talking about the thing I love: Film (in whichever form)
You got that right, Nostra. An in-depth look into film is always welcome, especially w/ these big names involved.
Looks interesting. I always like to see the other side of film making.
Hi Jaina, you and me both!
I am very much looking forward to seeing this…. when i can… looks fantastic|!!
Right on, Scott! Have a great weekend matey.
I keep hearing that 35mm film will be out of use by 2013 (I think), so it seems to me that digital film is the future. On the other hand, perhaps you’ve heard about how the New Beverly Theater in LA is fighting to keep 35mm alive:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fight-for-35mm/
I do feel that digital film IS the way of the future, though it’s always said to part w/ something that’s been so prevalent in how we view films. No I hadn’t heard about that, but sounds like they’ve got tons of supporters.
Definitely a documentary I want to check out because it’s such a fascinating topic.IMO, celluloid will progressively become archaic in the next decade or so but there will always be people who try to fight progress and their way of life.
There is certainly a strong nostalgia factor because that’s the way movies have been made since the beginning of the medium but technology has evolved so much that you can basically do the same thing and more with digital cameras.
Yeah, technology is constantly evolving so it’s just a matter of time the digital tech will take over. Yeah, I think the nostalgia factor is what makes it hard for some filmmakers to get over, and it’s also a matter of how much a person is adaptable to change in general.
Very interesting, I want to see this for sure. Thanks!
It certainly looks fascinating, Becky.
ow…this is a great news, Ruth, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Will see if I can find this. I don’t really mind digital when used wisely….although I haven’t yet find the same joy of watching digital animation compared to traditional animation. But to ordinary movie, I haven’t got a clue which one digital and not.
Ha!! my old boyfriend is a producer now
Ahah, your old boyfriend… glad to see he’s not relegated to ‘ex boyfriend’ yet. I think Keanu is smarter than what people give him credit for, clearly he’s got one of the longest lasting acting career in the business and boy he still hasn’t aged much.
Hell yes, I need to see this. Looks really interesting.
Indeed, Tyler!
Oh wow, I had not even heard of this, it looks incredible!! Thanks for sharing Ruth!
Glad to be the one to introduce this to you, Matt, thanks for stopping by!
Seems worth to watch. I love behind the scenes, especially about movie making and the philosophy of it. Thanks for sharing this. Will Keanu be in the documentary? ^^
Yeah Keanu should be in the doc as he’s doing the interviews
I’d love to see this film, it cuts right at the core of the major divisive issue in movies today, celluloid or digital? Exciting new possibilities or misplaced enthusiasm? 3D or not 3D? I think a comment Dan from Top Ten films left on an article I did on the 3D arguement sums up where I stand on the issue, at least where 3D is concerned. It’s only part of the debate on ‘new technologies’, but an important part.
“3D is a failed attempt by the major Hollywood studios to try to curb film piracy in my eyes. It is an offering that can only be seen in cinemas effectively. But as you say, and many others agree, it doesn’t add anything. I have seen a couple of 3D films and the 3D element ruined the experience. I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 in 3D and can’t wait to see it again in 2D – I know I’ll prefer the experience.
3D should be kept for 10 minute interactive experiences and moving chair type rides at places like Universal Studios’ theme parks”.
I think the point here is, this new tech, whether it be digital processing or 3D imaging, what is it actually adding to the medium? Does it make the experience better, does it enhance the medium without sacrificing it’s integrity in the name of a quick thrill? Thanks for this Ruth, entertaining and informative as always!
Brilliant thanks for the post. Will keep a lookout for his one for ure