Summary
Man of Steelinitially featured a scene thatThe Dark Knighttrilogy andMan of Steelwriter David Goyer regrets cutting in retrospect after the film’s backlash.
DespiteMan of Steelcriticstaking issue withSupermankilling Zod, which also happened in the comics, and Richard Donner’sSuperman 2with Christopher Reeves, Goyer elaborates on a crucial scene that would have aligned with the controversial ending. At the very least, this scene would’ve connected audiences to Superman having to end a life as dangerous as General Zod’s.
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Goyer was featured on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast, where he described a cut scene fromMan of Steeldetailing a flashback of Jonathan Kent and Clark on a hunting trip. When shooting at a deer, Clark misses the kill shot, with Goyer describing the deer as suffering and young Clark being “incredibly shaken,” so Jonathan had to finish it off. After the ordeal, Jonathan and Clark discuss the responsibility of taking a life. The scene was ultimately cut due to time constraints and budgeting, but Goyer has “always wished that scene could have made it in the movie,” as it would have given more weight to the controversial death of Zod.
For years, fans have defended Superman killing Zod inMan of Steel, and Goyer now reveals that the intent from the beginning was for this controversial scene to be an important aspect that places the moral qualities of the character at theforefront of Superman’s development. Its sequel,Batman v Superman, even deals with the ramifications ofMan of Steel’s third act, so there was a point to depicting violence and destruction of that magnitude. Although this scene would have madeMan of Steelstronger from a thematic standpoint, Superman’s reaction after killing Zod says it all. The difference is that Zack Snyder did not shy away from the reality of Zod’s death, unlike inSuperman 2, where Zod’s death happened off-screen and in Disney fashion.
However, as with almost every DCEU movie afterMan of Steel, Warner Bros. cut crucial scenes to have more showings in a day for more profit, consequently allowing its directors to take the blame. Unfortunately,Man of Steelsuffered the same fate thatBatman v Superman,Suicide Squad,The Flash, and presumablyAquaman and the Lost Kingdomhave in this regard. Even thoughWB wanted to cutWonder Woman’s best sceneand an equally important scene inBarbie, those directors fought to keep them included and won.
The DCEU was fresh and newat the time ofMan of Steel, so there was presumably more trust between filmmakers and WB executives that decisions would be in the best interest of the movies, which would ultimately have meant better things for the studio. However, this was not the thought process for the studio, and even 10 years later, Warner Bros.' methods continue to haunt them.
