2. A Window Into A Larger DC Universe
On the heels of Marvel's successful setup for The Avengers film with their Phase One program, DC now takes aim at creating a Justice League movie... and they will use Man Of Steel as the beginning of this journey. Introduced in the film will obviously be Lois Lane; and say what you will about the history of this character, but she is an integral part of the DC Universe. She is the foundation for which Clark Kent can stand on, and someone he can stand with in times when he is forced to make difficult, life-changing decisions. And their relationship in Man Of Steel will begin with Clark ultimately deciding to reveal himself to the world as Superman. As Clark makes his journey from Smallville to Metropolis, things will inevitably, and monumentally, change for him. Everything he knows, his life on our planet and his place in the world, will be radically altered. He will leave behind his life in Kansas, presumably following the death of his father Jonathan Kent, as the Earth will be confronted with a great, other worldly danger. It's at this point that Clark will struggle with making the ultimate choice, having spent his life trying to remain in the shadows and off the radar of everyone around him. All he has learned and been taught by his family, all the values and life lessons instilled by Pa Kent, will all come into question as Man Of Steel takes this new, more secluded path towards showing us a grown Clark Kent who becomes Superman. And as he starts his journey towards becoming Superman, he will step out on his own with no support, having made the right choice to stand and defend his adopted home world. But early on in this journey he will meet Lois Lane, and she will come to believe in him and provide him the support he needs to stand tall and take on the threat facing planet Earth. Several of these very scenes can be seen in the current trailers. But even more so than Lois Lane, Man Of Steel will start to introduce more characters from the DC Universe in this attempt to build towards a Justice League film. Already we've already seen a hint of Lex Luthor in the 3rd trailer that has just been released, and this is just the beginning of the foreshadowing for a larger DC universe. Whereas Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy was a self-contained entity (up until the final scene with John Blake presumably taking over the cowl), Man Of Steel will, in fact, hint at a larger DC world that Superman inhabits. Watch for subtle references to other DC locales and characters as Man Of Steel lays the groundwork for the future of the DC cinematic universe. And so the next chapter of DC cinema lies directly in front of us...