Christopher Nolan Revealed His Favorite ‘Man of Steel’ Moment That Could Divide Fans
Christopher Nolan once shared his thoughts on a memorable moment from Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, revealing the scene that has stayed with him the most.
In an interview with THR’s Heat Vision, Nolan explained that he and Snyder admire each other’s work and keep in touch regularly, talking on the phone about once a month. This past summer, Nolan even invited Snyder to join a small group of directors, including Paul Thomas Anderson, Todd Phillips, and Denis Villeneuve, for an early screening of Oppenheimer.
When asked if a specific moment in Snyder’s films stuck in his memory, Nolan pointed to a scene in Man of Steel where Kevin Costner’s Pa Kent tells young Clark that he will always be his son, no matter his origin.
“The moment in Man of Steel where Kevin Costner tells young Clark that whatever his origin, he’s still his son puts a lump in my throat every time,” Nolan said. He praised Snyder not only for his skill with visuals but also for strong casting choices.
Despite Nolan’s admiration for the film, some scenes, especially the death of General Zod, caused controversy among fans.
Superman snapping Zod’s neck upset many viewers because it seemed out of character for the hero, who is usually shown avoiding killing. Nolan himself was hesitant about including the scene, and the movie’s original ending would have sent Zod and his army into the Phantom Zone instead.
Screenwriter David S. Goyer explained that he and Snyder didn’t like that ending either, so they worked with Nolan to make the scene feel justified, showing Superman cornered by impossible circumstances. “Killing Zod was a big thing and Chris Nolan, originally, said there’s no way you can do this… Originally Chris didn’t even want to let us try to write it and Zack and I said, ‘We think we can figure out a way that you’ll buy it,’” Goyer said.
Fans also had issues with Pa Kent’s role in the film. Many felt that his warnings and strict moral lessons were too controlling and made Clark’s development feel forced. Critics argued that Pa Kent’s insistence on hiding his powers and suppressing his abilities clashed with the classic portrayal of Superman as someone who learns responsibility through his own choices.
Some viewers thought these scenes made Clark’s journey less relatable and slowed down the story’s emotional flow.
Even with the DCEU moving on, Man of Steel continues to spark debate due to its darker tone and morally complicated moments. Nolan’s reflections show how some of the emotional beats, like Pa Kent’s advice, remain memorable even when fans disagree with them.
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