The DCEU's Struggle: The Impact of Man of Steel on the Cinematic Universe

The Early DCEU and Christopher Nolan's Influence

The DCEU's journey began with the impact of Christopher Nolan's work on Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. After the debacle of Batman & Robin, Nolan resurrected the caped crusader with a grittier and more grounded approach in Batman Begins, setting a new standard for the superhero genre. The film received critical acclaim and was a massive hit with audiences, paving the way for the equally successful sequels, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

Henry Cavill's Superman stands stoically in Man of Steel

When DC embarked on its cinematic universe with Man of Steel, they turned to Nolan as a producer and for the story to reintroduce Superman to viewers. Zack Snyder, known for his love of comic book lore and massive action set pieces, was hired as the director. However, Nolan's influence led to a serious and realistic tone in Man of Steel, which set the stage for the DCEU's struggle.

A split image of Superman (Henry Cavill) and General Zod (Michael Shannon) in Man of Steel

The attempt to capture the gritty atmosphere of Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, combined with Snyder's love for fantastical elements, resulted in a film that struggled to find a balance between realism and larger-than-life storytelling. This departure from the established tone of the DCEU's predecessor movies created challenges for the franchise as a whole.

A close-up shot of Henry Cavill as Superman in 2013's Man of Steel

The Realism of Man of Steel and Its Impact on the DCEU

Man of Steel's portrayal of a more realistic Superman conflicted with the audience's expectations and the fantastical nature of the DCEU. The film's attempt to maintain a mature tone while exploring a grander story, including the death of Krypton and its sci-fi elements, faced challenges in integrating with the established universe.

Superman (Henry Cavill) prepares for his first flight in Man of Steel

In a 2010 interview with Empire, Zack Snyder discussed his desire to double down on the Superman comic books, only to find Nolan challenging the accepted aspects of the character. This conflict between embracing the character's goofier aspects and maintaining a serious tone highlighted the struggle faced by Man of Steel and its impact on the subsequent DCEU films.

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel

The conflicting tones between the more mature aspects of the heroes and the dramatic realism of Nolan and Snyder's vision created a lack of consistency in the DCEU's tone. This ultimately led to a mixed reaction from the audience, prompting DC to experiment with lighter tones in films like Suicide Squad and Justice League.

Zod (Michael Shannon) after being killed by Superman in Man of Steel

The Case for Man of Steel as a Standalone Movie

Despite its impact on the DCEU, Man of Steel might have been better off as a standalone movie, detached from the larger universe. Henry Cavill's well-received portrayal of Superman could have been explored in a more independent story, focusing on Kal-El's journey without the burden of setting up a cinematic universe.

Zack Snyder could have had more creative control over his version of Superman, similar to how Matt Reeves approached his version of Batman. This approach would have allowed for a more focused and coherent narrative, devoid of the conflicting tones that plagued the DCEU's early films.

As the DCEU moves forward with new projects, such as Superman: Legacy, the lessons learned from the struggles of Man of Steel should be considered. The film's departure from the established tone and its impact on the larger universe serve as a cautionary tale for the future direction of the DCEU.