The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) was launched with much fanfare in 2013 with Man of Steel. The movie tells the origin story of DC Comics flagship character Superman. Kal-El of the planet Krypton gets rocketed to Earth as an infant where hes adopted by a human couple who raise him as Clark Kent played in the movie by Henry Cavill. Growing up in Earths atmosphere Clark discovers he has a host of amazing abilities and chooses to use them for the benefit of mankind as the hero dubbed Superman. 

Over the next few years Cavills Superman showed up in a host of DCEU movies as the franchise tried to create a shared cinematic franchise that could rival the might of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But ever since his 2013 debut this new version of Superman has divided fans and critics. Some consider him too dark and brooding while others believe him to be more grounded and realistic. Whether or not youre on board with Cavills take on Superman its clear that a lot of thought and effort has gone into crafting the character. Lets take a look at some of the lesser-known details about the inception and journey of the DCEUs Man of Steel.

Distant connections

Working on a Superman movie would be a dream project for many actors. But when it comes to Man of Steel its remarkable how many of the main cast members had connections to the project and each other going back decades. 

For instance Henry Cavill had initially auditioned to play the character in Superman Returns all the way back in 2006 but was passed over for Brandon Routh. Meanwhile Amy Adams had been a fan of Superman for years. Shed already unsuccessfully auditioned to play Lois Lane twice – in the unproduced Superman Flyby and Superman Returns — before finally landing the part in Man of Steel. Adams also had another connection to the franchise through a supporting role she played on the TV show Smallville as a student at Clark Kents high school. 

Finally Russell Crowe plays the role of Supermans father Jor-El in Man of Steel. In 2000 Crowe met Henry Cavill when the latter was a background character on Crowes movie Proof of Life. At the time Crowe took notice of Cavill who asked for Crowes advice about pursuing an acting career. Before parting ways at the end of the project Crowe gave Cavill a few gifts with the young actor telling CNN I received an Aussie rugby jersey some Aussie sweets some Vegemite a band CD and a picture of him in Gladiator saying Dear Henry a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Russell.