Screenwriter David S. Goyer reveals a detail about Henry Cavill’s Superman killing Zod in Man of Steel

Man of Steel is a 2013 superhero movie that is based on the DC Comic character of Superman. It was a box office success, and Henry Cavill as Superman was widely accepted because of how he looked as the character in the movie. But Zack Snyder’s film sparked controversy with its ending.

Henry Cavill as Superman
At the conclusion of Man of Steel, after a brutal aerial battle in Metropolis with General Zod, Superman snaps Zod’s neck when the villain attacks a trapped family with his heat vision. The criticism of this scene mainly arises from the fact that Superman typically adheres to a strict “no-kill” rule (in the comics and other adaptations).

David S. Goyer, the screenwriter, already knew about the fan backlash triggered by the scene in Man of Steel where Superman kills Zod. He knew deviating from Superman’s “no-kill” rule (especially due to stress) would go against canon and be very distressing to fans.

No doubt, the deleted scene in Man of Steel could have made Superman’s decision less traumatic and provided context for it. But according to the original plan, it could have also twisted the plot for the future course of action flick.

A Deleted Scene in Man of Steel Could Have Twisted the Storyline

General Zod and Superman
Zack Snyder’s 2013 Man of Steel strongly introduces Henry Cavill‘s Superman in the DCEU. It delved into his backstory, including some tender scenes with his adoptive human parents — Jonathan and Martha Kent.

But a deleted scene from the movie would have depicted a young Clark Kent hunting with his father. As reported by the Collider, David S. Goyer, the screenwriter of Man of Steel, said that after they kill a deer, Jonathan uses the moment to teach Clark about the gravity of taking a life.

This instills a strong moral code in him that would shape his career as Superman. This scene would have provided insight into Superman’s controversial decision to kill General Zod at the film’s end. As the writer said:
“Ironically there was a scene we wrote that didn’t get filmed in which Jonathan takes young Clark hunting and they kill a deer, and young Clark is just gutted by the act and Jonathan says, ‘It’s a powerful thing to take a life, even if you’re forced to take a life.’”
Goyer also clarified that the scene was never shot, so there’s no chance of it appearing in a Snyder cut or an alternate film version.

The Controversial Scene in Man of Steel was Essential for Character Development

David S. Goyer defends Superman’s controversial choice to kill Zod in “Man of Steel” as pivotal for character development
For years, fans have criticized Superman’s decision to kill Zod in Man of Steel. But David S. Goyer revealed that this controversial scene was always meant to be a central aspect of Superman’s character development. He said:
“I absolutely understand a lot of people had problems with it. When I have had a hand in adapting these things, you wanna be as respectful to the core material as possible but you also can’t protect against failure. You have to take big swings.”
Goyer admitted by adding that DC’s editorial staff also greenlighted the decision:
“It doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake, but if you sit there and you say, ‘I don’t wanna take any risk. I’m worried I might offend a portion of the audience,’ I don’t think that’s a particularly healthy way to try to make a film or a television show.”
So, it’s clear that Goyer was aware of the controversy triggered by the villain’s death. Not including a deleted scene (that was never shot) was his ultimate plan for the future course of character development.

Watch Man of Steel on Max.