MAN OF STEEL Visual Effects Supervisor On Reinventing Superman For Today's Audience

In the following 2-minute snippet from a video interview with Man Of Steel visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri, he discusses the importance of "tapping into universal sensibilities when bringing Superman to a new generation of viewers.”..

Follow Mark "RorMachine":

By Mark "RorMachine" Cassidy - 12/6/2012

There's not a whole lot here really, but it is interesting to hear what the man in charge of visualizing the characters from Zack Snyder's upcoming reboot has to say about bringing something new to the table for a modern audience. He says we can expect to be taken into "new" but "comfortable" territory, and this take on Superman will be "different but in a very familiar way"..

In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Henry Cavill) is a young twenty-something journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond his imagination. Transported years ago to Earth from Krypton, a highly advanced, distant planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question 'Why am I here?' Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Diane Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner), Clark discovers having extraordinary abilities means making difficult decisions. When the world is in dire need of stability, an even greater threat emerges. Clark must become a Man of Steel, to protect the people he loves and shine as the world’s beacon of hope – Superman.

Man Of Steel will be with us June 14th, 2013.

DISCLAIMER: This article was submitted by a volunteer contributor who has agreed to our code of conduct. ComicBookMovie.com is protected from liability under "safe harbor" provisions and will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. For expeditious removal, contact us HERE.

56 Comments

1 2
	Angelus - 12/6/2012, 4:56 AM Login to report abuse Easily and without a shred of doubt my most anticipated comicbookmovie next year! Cannot wait!!
	6of13 - 12/6/2012, 4:59 AM Login to report abuse 8 more days. So stoked and even more so with WETA working on the VFX
	HellsHammer - 12/6/2012, 5:00 AM Login to report abuse I really can't wait anymore!
	GUNSMITH - 12/6/2012, 5:03 AM Login to report abuse IT LOOKS GOOD, ZACK IS KNOWN FOR PLAYING IT CLOSE TO SOURCE MATERIAL, WITH LIBERTIES BUT THE GUY LIKE TO DO NODS TO THE SOURCE
	drellik - 12/6/2012, 5:05 AM Login to report abuse Awesome. Finally the articles are rolling in on Man of Steel. The hype has begun. And so far, I get more excited with each little shred of news we hear about the movie. BRING IT ON!
	monstalova - 12/6/2012, 5:10 AM Login to report abuse Most anticipated movie since June 2006 for me... Hopefully this will be the one we are waiting for!
	mumbz - 12/6/2012, 5:11 AM Login to report abuse 8 more days!!! I'm more excited about this than christmas!
	gambgel - 12/6/2012, 5:30 AM Login to report abuse Its funny how most studios and production crews always say the same: something new, but familiar. Movies speak for theirself.
	toco89 - 12/6/2012, 5:49 AM Login to report abuse @blackster Ikr.
	Nomis1800 - 12/6/2012, 6:33 AM Login to report abuse Zack Snyder + Christ Nolan + WETA + amazing cast + as much in-camera as possible + very long post-production + it's Superman = INCREDIBLY EXCITING AND SO EFFING AMAZING/WONDERFUL/PERFECT/SUBLIME/SUPERB!!!!!!!!! Can't wait.
	Dev7 - 12/6/2012, 7:27 AM Login to report abuse Notice how everyone clearly states when interviewed from Nolan to this VFX Supervisor that it's Synder's thing. Everyone is already releasing themselves from any blame if this movie flops.
	rbfn04 - 12/6/2012, 7:48 AM Login to report abuse Hope you are right, sir. Haven't seen much of it yet, tho. @Dev7 yeah, that thought crossed my mind.
	SimyJo - 12/6/2012, 7:48 AM Login to report abuse [ "He says we can expect to be taken into "new" but "comfortable" territory, and this take on Superman will be "different but in a very familiar way" ]. Oh phuck! - Its slow-mo isn't it! - please God don't let it be Snyner-Slow-Mo™.
	Boogie138 - 12/6/2012, 7:55 AM Login to report abuse @Dev7: the same way cast and crew members talked about directors like nolan in 08 or whedon this year... get real dude
	fettastic - 12/6/2012, 8:26 AM Login to report abuse @mumbz: Oh man [frick] CHRISTMAS! It is bankrupting my ass! I don't need a special day to buy my son presents, I do that all the time anyway. The only thing I'm looking forward to is him having fun that day. Just one last thing to vent about with regard to Christmas. Do we really have to have everyone completely unbox every [frick]ing gift and especially with kids let them actually play with all aspects of the thing before we can move onto the next one? God [frick]ing damnit that shit drives me nuts! I think we were opening presents for 4 hours last year! And that was just one Christmas, we had 3-4 of them at different people's houses! I can't wait for Christmas to be in the rearview so I can figure out how to start paying for it!
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 8:36 AM Login to report abuse I like the 'Americana' small town (Kansas) feel of the kid playing with a cape [from the trailer]: I hope they keep Superman grounded in what really counts: ^^^ From: "What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way?" [Action Comics #775]
	rbfn04 - 12/6/2012, 9:20 AM Login to report abuse @Preston EXACTLY! Hit the nail on the head, my man @Superguy why are you so mad? That I didn't by into this movie hook line and sinker without having something that made me believe it will be a great SUPERMAN movie? Or is it the fact that I disagree with you?
	Nomis1800 - 12/6/2012, 10:12 AM Login to report abuse @ManOfSuperguy: Of course! How could such awesomeness slip my mind! I'm pretty sure we'll get to hear the new main Superman score with the second trailer!!!
	CrimsonReign - 12/6/2012, 10:19 AM Login to report abuse No underwear on the outside=great!! Cannot wait!!
	KalEl84 - 12/6/2012, 10:23 AM Login to report abuse I've been looking forward to this film ever since it was announced. That hype blew up considerably for me once I saw the Comic Con trailer. With all due respect to the Christopher Reeve films, this FINALLY looks like the Superman film that we've all been waiting to see. Henry Cavill looks like Jim Lees Superman come to life.
	thosemortalmen - 12/6/2012, 10:37 AM Login to report abuse @manofsuperguy: you nailed the point there friend. Yes rfbn04 as you can see, even the preNew52 that you worshipped so much do emote emotions, self doubt, sadness and all (all star superman, whatever happenend to thr man of tomorrow, supes vs the elite, coie, etc). Also, if you adhered to the bryne era supes that you love so much (basing from your avatar), that era is always presenting Clark who is "the real person with human traits" than the alien side. So make up your mind, what so you want from Supes?
	thosemortalmen - 12/6/2012, 10:43 AM Login to report abuse @dev7: geez people, why someone wanted a movie to failed or flop miserably, even before they watch one? And why the hell WETA teams wanted their hard working to be failed also? You can said you're a Supes hater so i don't have to take your opinion that serious you know.
	rbfn04 - 12/6/2012, 10:57 AM Login to report abuse @ManOfSuperguy Dude, why so much hate? You are whyning cause I don't agree with you? BTW, how many times have I said I haven't a problem with no trunks. (saying underwear is kinda disrespectful to a character you say you love so much, dude). @superguy and motalmen When have I said superman shouldn't have emotions? But, from what I take from what we saw so far (and nothing pointed in a diferent direction so far) they are taking the broody, loner route. And from some of the stuff i saw, it seems they are going with the "Clark is a mask, he's really Kal-El" and, mortalmen don't think Superguy is right saying I made up my mind. All my opinions is from what I got from what I saw. Said a million times I hope I'm wrong and this is a great Superman movie (not a great CBm with a Superman like character). I'll gladly correct myself and say I was wrong if that is so.
	localman - 12/6/2012, 11:19 AM Login to report abuse All of the previous Superman movies were horrible -- Christopher Reeve was great, the special effects were good for the time, and the first film was fairly good through the helicopter scene; But after that, the writing was horrible, the villains were stupid, the action was lame, the plots made no sense and were just plain stupid. In those days, Hollywood thought a comic book movie had to be "comic," and the plot didn't matter. I have high hopes that Snyder will finally bring a decent Superman movie to the screen. While I would love for it to be great, even a decent film will be better than any of the others. The guy knows how to be faithful to the source and how to make a good-looking movie. He also knows how to do good action. The real question is whether the plot makes sense and if he can avoid the stupid tendency in all of the other Superman films to have a "deus ex machina" resolution.
	SuperOne1 - 12/6/2012, 11:21 AM Login to report abuse I've said this before this will be the best CBM to date !
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 11:33 AM Login to report abuse I'm not sure Goyer does any homework; in fact, he tried turning Superman into an anti-American? ^^^ He tried making Superman Anti-American. If he doesn't like the fact that Superman is American, he should be writing Captain Planet: ...not Superman: And, I think rbfno4 just doesn't want to see an emo-Superman lost in "Why am I here? Why do I have to be different?" for two hours. Last time somebody tried that, we got this: Oh yeah, and they also tried to do away with his American citizenship in this movie too, trying to make him more universally appealing. Perry White says, "truth, justice, all that stuff." So, yeah, NO to an emo and universally acceptable planetary Superman. Superman is a beacon of American ideology.
	superpower76 - 12/6/2012, 11:55 AM Login to report abuse I don't know Preston. Superman stands for what he always has, it is America that no longer has the same values. Superman is the beacon of an ideology based on GOOD for all people not American ideology. Sorry not trying to get political. Supes has been my favorite hero for about thirty years so bring on the awesomeness!!!
	rbfn04 - 12/6/2012, 12:01 PM Login to report abuse superpower76 it's not America, dude, it's people. People don't believe in good for the sake of being good anymore. Whenever they see it they dismiss it as corny, cheesy or whatever
	superpower76 - 12/6/2012, 12:08 PM Login to report abuse Perhaps. If that is the case then still, America is a culmination of its people.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 12:16 PM Login to report abuse @superpower76 I disagree. I think that he is the embodiment of the American Dream. The Dream that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This is what Superman fights for. Joe Kelly hits it on the nail when he makes a statement that dark, emotional, and edgy superheroes don't have to be the norm. Superman is a role model, the best in people: Read: "What's so funny about Truth, Justice and theAmerican Way?" [Action Comics #775]
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 12:30 PM Login to report abuse @ManOfSuperguy Being introspective and being EMO are very different things. Introspective: Emo: So, Introspective Superman: Emo Superman: The difference is how they tackle the question. If he sits around in a shipping yard or hiking throughout American trying to find his way, and is all depressed and stuff through most of it, than 'NO' just NO. EMO isn't going to fly.
	superpower76 - 12/6/2012, 12:30 PM Login to report abuse Preston, Those words are antiquated and are completely contradictory to the values that are put forth today. We learn from our leaders and from the biggest fish down to the lowest we have become a country of me me me. Superman is the embodiment of the opposite ideology. Superman would give his life to help others with no thought of his own welfare. Yeah it helps to be invulnerable but whatever.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 12:37 PM Login to report abuse @ManOfSuperguy The context doesn't matter. There are two types of people in the world: a). Those that stand and fight for what they believe to be right. b). Those that turn tail and run. Captain America has been faced with similar dilemmas in the past, and he fights the problem, he doesn't turn his back on his country. Plus, it flies in the face of over 75 years of writers and Superman mythos. So, it doesn't prove anything. Goyer is still a hack. The idiot wanted to do something that DC had been playing around for years in order to make an American brand more global. It was still stupid.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 12:48 PM Login to report abuse @superpower76 Superman is a role model of traditional American values. Role Models don't change because the people change. They serve as a an example for people to return to, adapt, or evolve into. For example, religion doesn't change with it's people, it changes people. Superman is kind of like that. He serves that type of role.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 12:52 PM Login to report abuse @ManOfSuperguy Superman: Earth One isn't cannon. But, you know what is canon, Superman holding an American flag. I have a feeling you are a comic noob.
	THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 12/6/2012, 1:13 PM Login to report abuse "You're not just anyone."
	THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 12/6/2012, 1:16 PM Login to report abuse Forget it ManOfSuperguy, Preston is an action junkie and doesn't like any taste of drama in a superhero film.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 1:27 PM Login to report abuse @MOS Goyer's story wasn't canon. ^^^ You are officially a noob. So...what are you making noise about? Let me think, because it was canon for about 6 issues. Read:Action Comics #775 It's basically an issue written by Joe Kelly as a statement against making Superman dark, emotional, and edgy.
	superpower76 - 12/6/2012, 1:32 PM Login to report abuse @ Preston, I see your point and when I saw SR I can't tell you how disappointed I was when PW said the "all that stuff" line. But the truth that I have found is that America and its traditional values are gone and the new values are in many ways the opposite from where we started. Because of this and because of what Supes represents I do feel today that a figure like superman can't be bound by the constraints of what normal people, like Americans, see as right and wrong. His moral compass must be flawless and uncompromised. I do agree abandonment never solves anything and he could have stuck around to keep shinning his light of hope but then as a citizen he would be condoning America as it is today and frankly he would not. Our view of the world and life are too skewed right now. Paranoia and self fulfillment are fueling the America of today.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 1:34 PM Login to report abuse @Nomis Captain America He never renounced his American citizenship. He fought the problem in his own way, he doesn't turn his back on his country. It's not the first time he doesn't see eye to eye with the government (see: Civil War); however, he never abandons his country. gov·ern·ment /ˈgəvər(n)mənt/ Noun: The governing body of a nation, state, or community. coun·try /ˈkəntrē/ Noun: The people of a nation. Are we clear? He may disagree with his government, but he never abandons his people. Lesson over.
	MarsivNayr - 12/6/2012, 2:14 PM Login to report abuse @Nomis Man all I could see in my head after reading that^ was a big 'ole ZING! Ok, I'm gonna butt in real quick. Look, Preston, MOS, I've read every post(stalker?) and come to the conclusion that I don't know if either of y'all are right or wrong... I also began to think that all of this could Very well be subjective...opinion, if you will. Right now both of y'all are just trying to get the last word in and aren't making much sense. Change is inevitable. Plus, with this being an origin reboot, we all need to focus on how well they treat his story and mythology. The political principles are not the most important thing right now. Just think that this is a film with the sole purpose of successfully bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen; to deliver story, drama, action, and spectacle on a whole new level. That's what matters right now. (Sorry for the rant....huh...)
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 2:32 PM Login to report abuse @Nomis You forgot to mention: This identity is short-lived, with Rogers maintaining it for a mere four issues of the comic to varying degrees of success; he even trips over his own cape at one point. At the conclusion of Captain America #184 (April 1975) Rogers returns to the role of Captain America when he realizes that he could champion America's ideals without blindly supporting its government. Nomad, actually means Nomadic. no·mad (nmd) n. - 1. A member of a group of people who have no fixed home and move according to the seasons from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land. 2. A wanderer. I think he is number two. It basically implies that he doesn't follow orders from anyone. Plus, Jack Monroe's Nomad is based on Steve Rogers. Look what it says: He's found his own way to fight for the American Dream. The American Dream, it's what Steve Rogers has always fought for while taking order from the government or fighting against it.
	Preston - 12/6/2012, 2:50 PM Login to report abuse @MarsivNayr Just think that this is a film with the sole purpose of successfully bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen I thought that was what we were discussing?!? A successful way of bringing Superman to audiences. The political principles are not the most important thing right now. If they make it into the script, they are important. To deliver story, drama, action, and spectacle on a whole new level. That's what matters right now. With this you have described everything from Transformers Revenge of the Fallen to Amadeus. What we have been discussing is adaptation. I'm with the Joe Kelly camp, I still believe that Superman is relevant. I'm with those that don't want to see him re-imagined. Read: Action Comics #775 It's a good story that asks the question: Is Superman still relevant?
	rbfn04 - 12/6/2012, 3:53 PM Login to report abuse @Superguy Where did I mention anything about the poster, dude? (other than saying it's underwhelming since it's just a screencap from the trailer). For some reason you think Superman needs to be more like Batman to "grow as a character" maybe you should read Batman, dude. BTW, he also had "Soul Vision"in Birthright. And, if I'm not mistaken, Ma Kent made the suit with Clark. Funny how you take what you want from it but leave the thing you find campy out (and don't turn this into a 'you want the trunks back' you know it's not what I meant.) But, I guess what I find funny is: why are you so pissed that I have a different opinion? If I went into the articles and shoehorned stuff that had nothing to do with it, ok. But, the main thing in this one is "it's gonna feel familiar". Well, I haven's seen much - other than the characters - that feels familiar
	rbfn04 - 12/6/2012, 4:04 PM Login to report abuse More from Birthright's suit history Honestly, I think this is a better way to tell it then "oh, it's an alien cloth and it's just the right size for you". That, to me, is an easy out. Making it with Ma Kent, inspire by Krypton and made with Kryptonian cloth brings his birthplace and his home together. For some reason, Superguy, you seem to take that I'm saying I'm not open to a new suit. And want the "underwear", as you so disrespectfuly puts, back. No, I kinda like this suit. Just think it misses the mark with the weird texture (ooooh it's ALIEN), gauntlets and black lines and colours. Something between what we had and the image below (def keep the S shield in MoS but loose the lines in it and make it brighter) And what we have now (ad a red belt, kinda like New 52's but sans unnecessary lines all around and no armor feel) and it would be a great redesign. (pardon the spelling and grammatical errors but I'm multitasking here)
	Dev7 - 12/6/2012, 6:05 PM Login to report abuse Hey ManofSuperguy, it's cool you can form sentences and make arguments on the internet when you really can't confront someone face to face but please refrain from calling someone a "dumbass" when they give an opinion and they haven't called you any names in their opinion. Geez this site has gotten worse and once someone doesn't share another person's opinion they are called names. Grow the fck up kids!
	Navyblue8 - 12/6/2012, 7:40 PM Login to report abuse Yeahhhhh.. I can't wait!!
	mgeoff88 - 12/6/2012, 7:50 PM Login to report abuse That's what a Superman fan wants to hear. I can't wait for the new trailer!!!
	JULEZ13 - 12/6/2012, 8:30 PM Login to report abuse With this guy in charge of the effects, along with everyone else part of production, there's no way in hell this WON'T be the BEST CBM OF ALL TIME!!! Can't wait for the trailer, supposed to be 2:20 (wasn't the Comic Con trailer about that long?) can't wait to see it! Hope its new footage! MOS 2013 FTW!!
	Ranger14 - 12/6/2012, 10:12 PM Login to report abuse "He says we can expect to be taken into "new" but "comfortable" territory, and this take on Superman will be "different but in a very familiar way" If it ends up being the same thing we got with TASM, I am going to say..."Ugggh".
1 2

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.