Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill as Superman gave insight into the origin story of the titular DC hero. Despite the Kryptonian villain General Zod and the gravity of the narrative, the movie failed to have an astonishing mark among critics as the ambitious Snyderverse movie was able to claim only a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
One of the reasons behind the criticism was, of course, the inherent dark tone of the narrative but this also raises a series of questions for other DC projects including Batman. If the movie was targeted for the dark tone, Russell Crowe who played Superman’s biological father, Jor-EL, believes that the criticism of the movie based on the darker tone does not fit anywhere.
Russell Crowe Addressed Man of Steel Criticism
Russell Crowe had a decent amount of screen time considering his role in Man of Steel. The legendary actor who has Gladiator and a long list of movies with an Oscar to his credit believes that Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel is not much about the tonality of the movie being dark but rather it inherently narrates the very symbol of hope— the very representation of ‘S’ symbol on Superman’s chest.
“I don’t see this as darker you know I see, um, I understand that you know the Batman franchise was definitely much darker. Any Batman that’s been but I actually see this as having, um, more hope you know? Um, and more sort of uh essential truth to it you know, um, but obviously you know Henry doesn’t fly, you know? It’s still a construct.
Uh but it is an interesting thing that you brought up before across society that uh, um, and we see it more and more with obviously with reality TV and you know in various forms but it seems to me to be strange that the imagination is being um sort of put aside you know or put down,” Crowe told Joe Michalczuk in an interview.
Crowe’s defense can not be completely nullified as the movie was the stepping stone of a character being established with a new actor with a new vision. Snyder’s vision was certainly different from Richard Donner, Richard Lester, or what James Gunn is set to offer with David Corenswet.
Russell Crowe Hailed Henry Cavill Superman
Crowe knew Henry Cavill’s prowess as he observed his insane preparation and training for getting into the desired shape for the iconic DC hero. “You know people don’t fully understand the amount of pressure that’s on in a job like this,” Crowe said in the same interview acknowledging Cavill’s dedication to the role.
“That pressure is continuous in his day after day and I think they ended up shooting for eight months or more you know uh and he had a five or six month preparation period before that. Um, so you know the fact that that he was able to keep himself in the in the pocket and stay disciplined keep his body together you know?
Cuz sort of cost him you know, one pork chop and you’ve just ruined the day shooting you know so and that’s difficult man. When you’re doing stuff that requires such physical effort to not be able to then like fill your tank you know? Again, you know with, with, with fuel um it, it’s hard you know? And I never heard a single word of complaint out of Henry you know?”
Cavill’s dedication was indeed commendable as Crowe added, “He’s uh, he’s got some inner steal of his own that’s for sure.” With James Gunn taking over DC Studios, the tenure of Cavill’s Superman ended with Snyder. Gunn is now bringing another version of Superman and the movie has been in insane hype.
Man of Steel can be streamed on Max.
