The Man of Steel (film)

The Man of Steel is an imagined film in the DC Cinematic Universe that kicks off the world-building of the DC Universe after The Dark Knight Trilogy. The film serves as the origin of Superman and is set mostly in Smallville during the early days of his life.

Plot

 * Jor-El, the leading scientist of Krypton, develops a plan for Kryptonians to escape the dying planet via the Phantom Zone to a habitable planet, Earth. General Zod, a war-mongering rival of Jor-El, sets asides his differences and helps with the evacuation.
 * However, Zod soon learns from his scientist Jax-Ur that the yellow Sun near Earth will enhance Kryptonian's abilities, making them "gods" on Earth. Zod sabotages the evacuation and only lets his allies on the ship through. Kryptonians fight back and Jor-El traps Zod's ship in the Phantom Zone. The Kryptonian civil war with Zod stimulates the Kryptonian apocalypse. Jor-El, in desperation, attaches the Phantom Zone to a missile and sends his infant son, Kal-El to Earth, while Krypton is destroyed.
 * Kal-El/Clark Kent is raised by Ma and Pa Kent in Smallville. He befriends Lana Lang and Pete Ross, but tries to keep his powers a secret as requested by his parents.
 * A devastating tornado rips through Smallville and Clark is forced to use his powers to save people's lives. This gets the attention of the media, including reporter Lois Lane.
 * After the untimely death of Pa Kent, Clark goes to the Fortress of Solitude, where he gets a vision from Jor-El. He tells him that he should he a symbol of hope to these people and gifts him the signature suit.
 * General Zod and his allies are released from the Phantom Zone with the help of scientist Jax-Ur. He plans on arriving on Earth and take control of it using their newfound powers.
 * Zod attempts to take over the airwaves across the states, leading to a climactic final battle in Metropolis between him and Superman.
 * Kent gets a job at Daily Planet
 * In the credits scene, Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira learns that a Kryptonian has arrived on Earth.

Cast

 * Henry Cavill as Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman
 * Amy Adams as Lois Lane
 * Michael Shannon as General Zod
 * Russell Crowe as Jor-El
 * Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent
 * Diane Lane as Martha Kent
 * Alicia Vikander as Lana Lang
 * Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Jax-Ur
 * Antje Traue as Faora-Ul
 * Cobie Smulders as Ursa
 * Lance Reddick as General Calvin Swanwick
 * Richard Schiff as Dr. Emil Hamilton

Ayelet Xurer plays Lara Lor-Van and Ross Lynch plays Pete Ross. Additionally, Christopher Meloni portrays Chief Douglas Parker. Marisa Tomei has a small role as Eve Teschmacher, a high-ranking executive at LexCorp. Other members of General Zod's ship also appear: Non, Tor-An, and Quex-Ul. Connie Nielsen has a cameo as Queen Hippolyta in the credits scene, setting up Wonder Woman.

Future
Superman will appear in many subsequent DCCU films. Superman and Wonder Woman: Dawn of Justice, featuring the villain Metallo, sets up the The Justice League.

A direct sequel titled The Man of Tomorrow, with Lex Luthor as the main villain, takes place after The Justice League.