Henry Cavill made a mark in the superhero genre when he put on the red cape in Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder. Renowned for his use of visual storytelling, the director has consistently astounded audiences and even startled a few. And now while he is focusing on his next project, Rebel Moon, Snyder is once again in the news as his followers get ready for his newest movie because an old comment has come up online.

Fans on X (previously Twitter) engaged in banter over an old comment by the Man Of Steel director about the Christopher Reeves version of Superman resurfacing online. Snyder made the comments while giving an interview to Forbes in 2014. In the interview, the director discussed fans’ expectations of Superman and his goal to create a realistic portrayal of the character, despite some fans’ disapproval of the violence in his movies. 

The debate over the correct interpretation of Superman has been a contentious and vividly debated issue. The director compared his idealistic version of Superman to the one portrayed by Christopher Reeves and justified the use of violence in the Superman franchise. “I wanted a hero in Superman that was a real hero and sort of reflected the world we live in now,” said Snyder, justifying why he chose violence in his Superman movies.

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A fan page dedicated to the Man of Steel director posted the comments made earlier by the director on X. Quickly, a lot of polarized reactions emerged. Users were quick to point out which version of Superman was their favorite. 

Some fans approved of Director’s version while some disapproved

Fans have vigorously debated the issue of which interpretation of Superman is correct in the past. While the red-caped hero is a character colored in kindness and heroism, Snyder’s movies showcased a darker version that many fans lament the loss of. So when the director’s comments from the past resurfaced, users on X exploded with their own interpretations of what kind of Superman they wanted. Some were positive and approved of  Snyder’s interpretation of Superman in his movies, calling out the supposed “gatekeeping” of these fictional characters and their interpretations in movies.

Many users did not find the director’s past statements amusing and held a completely different view.

The banter on X regarding the correct interpretation of Superman is not new and fans keep indulging in such banter as everyone has a different perspective. And when James Gunn comes in with his Superman in Superman: Legacy in 2025, the debate will continue afresh.

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Do you agree with Zack Snyder’s comments on the Superman franchise? Let us know in the comments section.