So if you were online today in pretty much any capacity you’re probably aware that WB pushed out a teaser for Man of Steel – Zack Snyder’s attempt at rebooting Bryan Singer’s stalled Superman franchise. What you might not be aware of, however, is that there are two versions of the teaser floating around. Both have the same music and video – alternating back and forth between an adult Clark on a fishing boat and a young Clark running around the Kent farm. But what’s different is the voice over, with each clip containing a message from each of Clark’s “fathers.”
First, this one, featuring Russell Crowe as Jor-El…
And then this one, featuring Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent…
It’s an interesting choice to do it this way as it offers up two decidedly different tones/perspectives on Clark’s identity. It remains to be seen how well Snyder (and to a degree Nolan, who’s acting as producer but probably has his hands in the pot) can work that duality into Supes’ textual double-life, as he’s not known for being the strongest at relaying emotional depth. But, if nothing else, this clip definitely shows at least an attempt at a departure from Snyder’s comfort zone as it’s full of Malick-lite cinematography and understated dramatic cues. Both of which seem to better serve what we’re seeing here than his usual brand of slick, speed-ramped bravado. Again, it remains to be seen how much of that carries over into the film proper, but the fact that the flight sequence at the end wasn’t trademark Snyder is enough to pique my interest (even if said sequence had no place in the teaser, though I may be in the minority on that opinion).
What do you think? Is Snyder showing signs of maturation? Are you interested in seeing Superman’s origin story yet again? Does WB have a legitimate shot at another tentpole franchise? Let us know in the comments and on the boards.