15 Bravest Creative Decisions In Comic Book Movie History

12. No Lex Luthor Or Kryptonite - Man Of Steel

Say what you want about Zack Snyder and his Superman movie, but it certainly went in a number of brave, new directions in an attempt to distinguish itself from what had come before. Along with the gritty, Christopher Nolan-inspired style, the movie was the only Superman movie other than Superman III not to feature Lex Luthor in some capacity. Given how iconic Luthor is, allowing the movie to rest instead on the shoulders of General Zod (Michael Shannon) was a palpable risk, considering how lesser-known he is to casual audiences. Then there's the total absence of Kryptonite, the pesky green rock that turns Superman (Henry Cavill) into a helpless wad of cookie dough. Instead, the atmosphere of Zod's Kryptonian vessel afflicts Superman in a Kryptonite-like manner, albeit without anyone having to utter the word. Did It Work? Pretty much. Luthor as a character has been done to death, so it's nice to see a director try to tackle a different villain, and thanks to Shannon's performance, Zod pretty much works. Kryptonite appearing in the movie wouldn't have been a problem, but props to Snyder and David S. Goyer for trying something a little different. No complaints here.