Man of Steel Press Conference: Best Answers and Exclusive Photos For a movie fan walking inside a major Hollywood studio lot is a surreal experience. After all, it is the cradle (or the matrix in this case) of many of the movies and TV shows that have shaped your life. Yesterday I had the honor to attend the Man of Steel (out June 14) press conference at Warner Bros. To my surprise, Stage 23 was filled with costumes and props used in the film (photo gallery here), making me feel like a child in a candy store. The moderator started to announce the talents responsible for this Superman incarnation and I was overwhelmed to see together this dream team of cinematic artists, technicians and producers. Here is a condensation of those unforgettable 45 minutes. Henry Cavill (Superman) “I don’t think it was about finding my way into an icon. If you try to be an icon when you are playing one, I think that defeats the purpose. The responsibility is enormous and the realization that it really matters […] really helped at the gym, when you think you can’t push any harder.” “When you see Clark traveling alone, trying to figure out what he is, I didn’t go to any source material. I applied my own experience. Actors have a quite lonely existence: You make a temporarily family, you love them, and you don’t see them again until the odd press conference.” “I didn’t take anything from the actors who played it before, that’s their interpretation. I wanted to do my interpretation, not out of ego but because it would have been a disjointed performance if I had someone else’s influence. I went straight to the comic books.” “[On how Superman shaves] I think some things better remain a mystery. What would people talk about otherwise?” Zack Snyder (Director) “I was worried about Superman as a project because it seemed at the time like a lot of work, to make it work. But there is no fear in David’s script, the idea was very straightforward and confident. I think the vision was an unapologetic Superman movie. I feel that in the recent past people have been apologizing for Superman, a little bit: For his costume, his origins, the way he fits in society. We said ‘No, no. This is the mythology, this is how it is supposed to be’. I don’t know if we made it too important but that’s was the way we wanted to do it.” “Zod offers a physical and emotional thread that is stronger than any earthbound thread. He represents his people.” “Within the parameters of this story there is no Kryptonite or Lex Luthor. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist in this world.” Amy Adams (Lois Lane) “I grew up with the character. I auditioned several times, this was my third trial. So thank you Zack! I love that she was going to be part of the solution and no just part of the problem.” “My daughter really liked Henry in the suit and gave him a cheeky grab. She just wanted to touch the suit and reached out… She is going to kill me when she is older!” Michael Shannon (General Zod) “[On where he goes to get that ‘evilness’] I get my bucket, go the well and say ‘Satan, are you down there? I need to be evil today’. I lower the bucket down, the lava comes back up. I drink it, it hurts, but I take some Alka-Seltzer and Pepto-Bismol. No, I don’t know. I don’t necessary think about my characters as ‘evil’.” “It is no secret that I am much stronger than Henry. There were a lot of ice packs back at the hotel for Henry. Russell really kicks my butt in this movie. He is the Gladiator, what are you going to do?” “[The fight in the movie ‘8 Mile’] Is the kind of awkward fight you have after having sex with some dude’s mom.” Russell Crowe (Jor-El) “I have a confession to make: I haven’t seen any Superman movie. I didn’t see those with that fellow in, haven’t seen the one with the young fellow either. The only reference I have is the 50’s Superman TV Show.” “Zack employed four babies as recently born Kal-El. As a father of two in real life, I have managed to avoid all the pee and the poo. On this movie, after lunch and under those hot lights I got my hands full of that essential kryptonian material. Thank you Zack!” “I have a very important question for Chuck (the producer): When will the Jor-El Lego Mini-figure will be available?” Diane Lane (Martha Kent) “I love the line when Martha sees him the first time in the suit. It’s been waiting to be revealed. If anybody is holding their breath more than mom I can’t imagine who would be. Talking about your son coming out!” Antje Traue “This is the biggest movie I have done when it comes to action sequences. Like a dance, it has been choreographed in every detail. You rehearse for hours, weeks and months. It is quite amazing when everything comes together in front of the camera.” David Goyer (Writer) “At a Batman junket somebody asked me if I wanted to do Superman and I said ‘no’. It is an enormous responsibility. There are many versions but you need to throw all that away or it will crush you and paralyze you.” “To me it’s a story about two fathers. He has to decide what lineage he wants to choose. While I was writing the script I became a step dad, a dad, and my own dad died. I never thought that my own experiences would find a way into something like this.” “Ask me that question [about Justice League] after this movie opens.” Hans Zimmer (Composer) “I was a reluctant Bride. Unlike Russell I have seen the other movies and John William’s music is incredible. Chris said to me ‘C’mon, you can do this Superman movie’ and I kept saying ‘No. You have an idea but I have nothing!’.” “The only reason the score exists is because Zack took my hand, showed me his doodles and told me the story. I am a foreigner, I know what it is to be an outsider. We also felt the idea of hope was important. We wanted to celebrate an America that hasn’t been celebrated recently.” Man of Steel is in theaters June 14th in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.
