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."
Great post! I’ve been anxious to revisit this film for several reasons. I liked the movie but I didn’t love it as much as others so I want to give it another shot. But another reason is because of the score. So many have spoke highly of it yet I hardly remember it at all. I really feel like I’m missing out.
I wasn’t as in love with the film either Keith, but I thought the music was brilliant. This one in particular is just sooo beautiful, I’m quite surprised you didn’t notice it. But ah well, maybe you were distracted by the awesome visuals
Maybe so. I’m anxious to get away from work where I can check out the samples you’ve included in your post.
Awesome Keith. The Lullaby one is especially soothing for the soul
Great post and I love having the SoundCloud tracks in there, very cool! I love Life of Pi, thought it was brilliant and i thought the soundtrack really helped. Not sure it’s one I would listen to on my iPod or anything but it works perfectly for the film.
Yeah, I just found that out when I put the link in the post, I’m gonna do that for future music break posts
Thanks Chris, glad you like the music!
Great post Ruth, I’ll have to admit that I was so ENGROSSED with this film, I hardly noticed the soundtrack. But now playing some of the selections you’ve kindly provided, it’s absolutely beautiful. I so can’t wait to watch this on Blu-ray. Best film of 2012.
Ahah, I think you and Keith are in the same boat (pardon the pun). I think once he’s stranded in the ocean I was engrossed in the visuals too, but in some parts I really noticed the music. Ang Lee’s films often offer both eye and ear candy!
I haven’t seen the movie yet but the soundtrack sounds excellent. Back when I was younger and living in the Far East, I watched a lot of Bollywood films and this kind of music brought back some of my younger year memories.
You watched a lot of Bollywood films Ted? I didn’t know that! I actually never did back in Indo, even though they’re quite popular there. I do love the soothing quality of this one, and I recognize the use of Indonesian gamelan, which is very cool!
Yeah, Bollywood films were quite popular in Laos and Thailand, I used to go to the local theater in Thailand and watched a lot of matinees showing Indian films. If I watch them now, many of them would be very cheesy and way over the top. Their action sequences were just too ridiculous, even as a young kid I knew it was just too much, lol.
I actually have not seen any Indian action films but yeah I’d imagine they’d be quite cheesy.
I also featured this one on my soundtrack post. I love Pi’s Lullaby, as you said, very soothing to hear. And I love the movie!
That’s cool Andina, glad we share our love for the movie and its music.
So fun that you posted about this. I was listening to this soundtrack while getting ready for work this morning. I love it! and I think the lullaby is my favorite too.
Great post, Ruth
Wow, that’s cool T, great minds eh?
It’s fitting that it’s called a lullaby as it’s so serene and soothing.
yep. I’ve listened to it now 3 times in its entirety since. (I am reading through the book now and have found it helps to play the soundtrack whilst doing so)
Hope you’re enjoying the book, T. I’ve been trying to get into The Great Gatsby but kept putting it off, just too busy. I guess I’d rather be blogging, ahah.
That is a gorgeous soundtrack indeed. Danna is a great composer and I’m very glad he has his Oscar but I find his work in last year’s Moneyball to be superior to this one.
Oh I haven’t heard Moneyball, I should look for it on Youtube. I should check out more of Danna’s work too.
His score for Chloe is probably better than the movie
Ahah, well that’s saying a lot about the film. I’m really not that interested in that one to be honest.
Great post. I love Pi’s Lullaby. Agree with you, it’s so soothing and peaceful.
Thanks Fernando, there something so sweetly spiritual about it too. It’s so perfect for the film.
Have yet to see this, maybe I will go and check it out tomorrow evening although that’s a low probability lol. Definitely an enjoyable soundtrack though!
So you’re still working like a madman, Cas? I hope you’re not getting too burned out man. I think Life of Pi would be a good break from a long, stressed out day
I loved this soundtrack. The day after I saw it in the cinema, I searched for it on YouTube and the whole soundtrack was there in one clip. Not sure if it’s still there though!
Hello Pete, glad to hear. I don’t know if you could find that one with the entire soundtrack, but you can listen on soundcloud which I’ve embedded here.
I didn’t love the film as much as everyone else seemed to, but I really enjoyed the soundtrack. Didn’t know that it was on Soundcloud — nice find!
Yes yes yes! The entire soundtrack is perfection. Having said that, I am glad Skyfall won the Oscar.
Oh yeah, I was rooting for Skyfall as well. Glad at least Life of Pi was nominated though.
It’s definitely a nice score. I just wish I remembered it within the movie. The visuals were the key for me, but I need to rewatch it at some point.
Y’know I have to admit the only one I remember most is this one at the beginning, but it certainly helps add the mood overall. I started listening to the whole soundtrack afterwards.