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."
Now, this one was supposed to be released last March as I included it in my most anticipated movies for the first quarter of 2012. Well, when I mentioned this one in the GB Special Post, at the time it was still called Playing The Field.
Well, I like this trailer a bit better than Chasing Mavericks’. Well for one, Gerry gets to keep his Scottish brogue, wahoo! Plus, I kind of like seeing him with kids. I mean the last time he played dad to a little boy was in the wonderful indie Dear Frankie, and he’s definitely a natural with them. Then there’s the supporting cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid and Judy Greer, though I wish Uma and Judy get at least a line in the trailer?? Initially I thought Biel only had a small role, but it seems that she’s got second billing here.
Honestly, I hate everything (except the cast). The title, especially. Everything just looks so terribly generic and…terrible, basically, haha.
I hear ya, I like the cast too or I wouldn’t have bothered. Trailer-making is an art, and this one is not it. Well I hope the movie itself won’t be terrible.
In the trailer, they used every cliché in the book. Maybe there’ll be no more clichés to put in the movie so maybe they throw in some new ideas too, hehe.
I’m not Gerard Butler’s biggest fan but Playing For Keeps sounds like fun.
Glad to hear you dig it Dan!
it’s finally here? I’m posting it tonight at my place too. Can’t wait to see my dear Cathy in the film, hope she has smooching scenes with Gerry Berry. I love everything about it, the title, the story, the genre, it’s that bit of positive romance and charm that we need in today’s world of morbidly dark and irresponsibly bizarre movies.
Yes Dezzy! Boy we’ve been waiting a long time for this haven’t we? Well she’s smooching him in the trailer, so yeah I think we can expect that. Yeah, nice to see GB in a heartwarming drama and seeing him without some-kind of weapon for a change, ahah.
Hey there Dez, I agree with you 100%! I’m a sucker for a heartwarming film like this amidst all the violence and thriller films that there’s an exceeding abundance of. If anyone other than GB were in the lead I might not be as interested, but it sure looks like we are going to get a great big yummy dose of him… YES!
yep, him shirtless, him just in undies
That’s a whole lotta of Gerry Berry 
And my Cathy looks adorable in the trailer!
Yes she does! I could tell GB’s character had a hard time resisting her, well naturally!
Looks like the studio really have a lot of faith in the film since they’re releasing it in the prime December slot. It looks too cliche to me but I do love Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jessica Biel, for their looks not acting.
I might just give a rent someday. I did enjoyed the director’s film In Pursuit of Happyness.
The trailer does make it sooo darn cliche!! Really, there’s hardly any good trailers out there which is a bummer. I do like the cast and that’s a good sign that they’re releasing it in prime holiday season slot, much better than the March date I think. I should check out Pursuit of Happyness as I never see Will Smith in a drama before.
Hmmmmm, to be honest I’m a bit worried about this one. And looks and feels pretty conventional although I don’t wann judge it unfairly.
Yeah the trailer does look conventional, but I think the movie itself could be good, fingers crossed!
I love Butler’s performance in Dear Frankie! I wish he’d pick more dramatic roles like it. This I’m not sure about, but I might give it a look when it comes out.
Oh I’m glad you have seen Dear Frankie, Josh! Yes he is great in dramatic roles, which most people aren’t aware of.
Looks a bit meh for me. The Biel-meister has a great agent, BTW.
She does indeed! She’s starred in movies w/ Colin Firth, Colin Farrell and now Gerry, so yeah, her agent sure knows how to pick her co-stars, ahah.
I think I’m going to LOVE this movie, cheesy music and all! The trailer has way more laugh-out-loud moments than I expected, let’s hope they didn’t put them ALL in trailer. GB looks like this film was made just for him, which in a way it was by switching from baseball to soccer. And yes, the poster is a little uninspiring, but with GBs pose and expression, I am NOT complaining ;-O
He has the McCounaghey/romcom pose down!
Yeah, he looks good in that soccer uniform!! So all those charity soccer matches he’s been in must’ve been part ‘research’ then, ahah.
Iba… he’s waaaaaay hotter than McCoughnahey in every sense of the word
But that pose! That is the go to romcom pose
Ahah, I suppose it is, but no matter, GB looks good
Looks really generic and cliche but hey, these kind of movies can be pleasant enough to pass time. The December release is surprising and maybe it will do a bit better than most expect from a box office point of view.
Yeah, the trailer certainly portray that, but GB and CZJ makes it much more appealing than it otherwise would be. I do hope this does well, poor GB has been working so hard and his last two films were barely seen by people.
This doesn’t too bad!!! I leo like Gerarld Butler, it’s just sometimes he stars in too may predictable comedies!! It does look like it will be touching, funny, and heart-warming while making you cry, laugh, and also while probably putting a smile on your face at the end of the film!! It may look a little predictable, but it still llooks pretty good!!
Plus it’s got Dennis Quaid, who I actually really like!!
I’m giving this preview a grade of a B or 3.5 out 5 stars/reels!!!
Here is a list of a couple of actors that believe SHOULD have taken the main role for this film:
Matt Damon-Academy Award winner, why not?
Mark Wahlberg-He WAS in The Fighter and in The Departed, which got big critical accailm and awards!!! He’s just another great actor!!!
Leonardo DiCaprio-He’s a great actor, I would like to see what he could with this film!!!
How do you feel about Dennis Quiad talking the lead/main role of the film, I know he co-stars in the film, but why can’t he be the MAIN star in the film!!!!!
Or maybe Will Smith!!
It doesn’t look too bad indeed, but because I like the cast. Sorry but I would rather see Butler in this role than any of the stars you mentioned, least of all Will Smith!
Butler as a football player/coach is a bit meh! also the film looks very run-of-the-mill… but having said that I’ll watch it when it comes on TV
Why meh Raghav? After all he actually knows how to play soccer pretty well AND he has actually done a charity match a few times, so I think this role is tailor-made for him.
If Butler gets to keep his Scottish brogue, I wonder if we’ll get to see him wear his (and mine) favourite football team’s strip “Glasgow Celtic”. If that would feature, I’d pay to see this.
I just noticed that McAvoy played alongside him in that charity match? You must have been in your element Ruth? It was also managed by a Scot – Kenny Dalglish, he was a legendary Celtic player in his day.
Then you WILL pay to see this as he does have his Scottish brogue AND his character used to play for Glasgow Celtic
Yes Mark, I was all over that match on YouTube. Too bad I couldn’t watch it live. Yes it was awesome to see both of my fave Scots together, they look like real-life brothers! I absolutely adore this pic: http://tinyurl.com/buzug4s
I think I will be checking this out then. Glad to Celtic getting a mention. I’ve not watched the trailer as I tend not to but I’ll have a little peek.
Nice pic of Butler and McAvoy but I would have been nicer with their Celtic tops on. McAvoy is a fellow supporter also.
YES you should Mark, we need to support GB!
I do hope there are some scenes of him wearing the Celtic uniform. So do you play soccer too?
Oooft! It’s been a long time since I played soccer Ruth. I used to play for my school and was quite good but that was about 20 years ago now.
Oh I’m sure you’re just being modest
Btw, soccer is huge in my home country Indonesia, there are often riots going on when the games are on, it’s quite scary!
It can be the same in Glasgow. There’s a massive rivalry between Celtic and Rangers. There matches are known as the “Old Firm” and go back as far as the 1800′s. Violence has been known to erupt throughout the city when they play. There’s always a commeraderie between supporters of each club and that’s why I like to hear that Butler and McAvoy are Celtic fans. Billy Connolly and Rod Stewart are another couple.