Zack Snyder has come on rough times in recent years. His "Watchmen" and "Sucker Punch" were received poorly by critics and failed at box office. Snyder is hoping that his latest directorial effort "Man of Steel" will not only do well at the box office, but will reinstate his status as a quality filmmaker.
"I wanted the movie to be a big movie-going experience, full of action, full of emotion and full of the biggest super hero in the world," Snyder said Tuesday at the Las Vegas movie theater convention CinemaCon. "I wanted to give to the cinemas of the world a big, giant 'movie' movie."
The helmer noted that he has always loved Superman and places him at the top of his superhero pantheon.
"I've been a big fan of the character my whole life," he said. "He is the greatest super hero. There's no competition between super heroes, but if there was, he'd win."
"Man of Steel" is being produced by "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan. The addition of "Batman" writer David Goyer is expected to help reinvigorate the Superman franchise. Early reception has been positive with unknown critics calling it "The Best Movie of the Year."
Snyder's "Sucker Punch" was given a 23 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and only made $36.4 million at the box office. His preceding film "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hool" was received positively by 50 percent of the critics and earned $55 million in box office grosses. Even his adaptation of the revolutionary graphic novel "Watchmen" only grossed $107.5 million throughout its theatrical run.
"Man of Steel" is expected to far exceed those numbers, but the question of whether Snyder can bring pathos to the film remains a mystery given his track record.
"Man of Steel" will star Henry Cavill as Clark Kent (Superman), Lawrence Fishburne as Perry White, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, and Diane Lane as Martha Kent. Michael Shannon will also play the villain General Zod. The film has received a PG-13 rating and will come out in theaters on June 14, 2013.