One thing that I forgot to mention regarding the Snyder-helmed, Nolan-produced Man of Steel is the purported identity of the villain. For me, the choice of villain is inspired, in that I was of the right age to really get jazzed with Superman II.
That’s right, you guessed it: Zod.
Kneel before him, son of Jor-el.
Now I’m not a Superman comic afficienado, and I haven’t followed Smallville, so I know nothing of Zod save what I saw in Superman II. And, let’s face it, you’re most of the way to an awesome villain when you cast Terence Stamp in the role.
Who will they get to step into those shoes? Good question. As I’ve said so many times before, any single element—such as a cool villain—isn’t enough if the other elements fall down around it. Knowing that WB is more interested in getting this out by 2012 than putting out a good movie does not fill me with hope.