Considering the impact it has had on both its fan base and the world at large, Man of Steel undoubtedly stands as one of the greatest Superman films ever made. And thus, surpassing its success would undoubtedly be a challenging task. It’s remarkable to think how the movie has influenced other films that seemingly had no connection to it.
Man of Steel has reshaped the landscape of comic book films, introducing thought-provoking themes and emotional connections that were previously unexpected in the genre. Instead of merely serving as entertainment, it has become something far greater than just a typical superhero movie.
Storm’s Flight Scene in X-Men ’97 Episode 6 Inspired by Man of Steel
When Man of Steel made its debut in theaters in 2014, it wasn’t just about introducing Superman to the big screen, it also signaled a key moment for DC’s Comics-based films, laying the groundwork for what was to take the world by storm. Even years later, the film continues to evoke unexpected emotions and spark ongoing discussions.
Recently, there’s been intrigue surrounding X-Men ’97, thus former showrunner Beau DeMayo cleared the air on social media. He thus shed light on how Zack Snyder‘s Man of Steel played a role in influencing the return of Storm’s powers.
X-Men ’97 Episode 6 focuses on Storm’s quest to regain her mutant powers. The key scenes here revolve around that storyline. Towards the end of the episode, it is seen that Forge’s efforts to remove the X-Cutioner’s curse from Storm actually worked, thanks to what happened in Episode 4.
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— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) April 17, 2024
But it’s when Storm comes to terms with her own reality that her supercharged abilities fully return. This pivotal moment sets the stage for a spectacular flying sequence, reminiscent of the iconic scene from Man of Steel where Superman takes flight for the first time. Just like in that movie, Storm’s soaring journey showcases her newfound control and confidence over her powers in a way that’s both visually stunning and emotionally powerful.
The Enduring Impact of Man of Steel!
The number of times Man of Steel has inspired unrelated films is truly astounding, and Interstellar is a shining example of this phenomenon. In an interview with The Daily Beats, he revealed,
“That all-American iconography has always been so potent in the Superman myth. It was in this script before I came to the project—he was developing the script for Steven Spielberg to direct, originally—and I think the Americana had worked its way in there. I certainly found it very helpful when I realized we were going to have to grow our own corn, I phoned Zack [Snyder] and said, ‘Well how much did you grow?’ and he told me they grew 300 acres and that it cost X amount, so we grew about 500 acres of corn and actually sold it and ended up making a profit off it,”
While there may not be direct narrative connections, aesthetically, Christopher Nolan, who also served as a producer on Man of Steel, infused many elements into his film.
In Interstellar, a significant portion unfolds on farmland plagued by a dust bowl caused by the planet’s deteriorating condition. Nolan expressed that the quintessential American atmosphere of these farms echoed Superman’s upbringing.
Adding to that list is Eternals. Not only does this MCU film reference a DC superhero openly, but it also draws inspiration from the Zack Snyder movie. In an interview with cinema.jeuxactu.com, Chloé Zhao revealed,
“You said it, not me! Superman is the Übermensch, the ultimate man, the superman, a concept that exists in all cultures. Of all modern interpretations of Superman, this is Zack Snyder’s with Man Of Steel which inspired me the most because he approached this myth in an authentic and very real way. I remember thinking it was Superman by Terrence Malick when I saw the trailer. This film left a strong impression on me. But Ikaris is, of course, our own take on Superman.”
The costume designers of the Black Panther film found inspiration in Henry Cavill’s Superman suit from Man of Steel. They used it as a reference while creating the iconic vibranium suit worn by Chadwick Boseman in the movie. In conclusion, Man of Steel has influenced numerous films in various aspects, including costume design, storytelling, visual aesthetics, and scene structure.
Man of Steel is currently streaming on Max.
