<P> Man of Steel is a 2013 superhero film featuring the DC Comics character Superman . It is a British - American venture produced by Legendary Pictures, DC Entertainment, Syncopy Inc., and Cruel and Unusual Films, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures . It is the first installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by Zack Snyder, written by David S. Goyer, and stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, and Russell Crowe . Man of Steel is a reboot of the Superman film series that retells the character's origin story . In the film, Clark Kent learns that he is a superpowered alien from the planet Krypton and assumes the role of mankind's protector as Superman, but finds himself having to prevent General Zod from destroying humanity . </P> <P> Development began in 2008, when Warner Bros. took pitches from comic book writers, screenwriters and directors, opting to reboot the franchise . In 2009, a court ruling resulted in Jerry Siegel's family recapturing the rights to Superman's origins and Siegel's copyright . The decision stated that Warner Bros. did not owe the families additional royalties from previous films, but if they did not begin production on a Superman film by 2011, then the Shuster and Siegel estates would be able to sue for lost revenue on an unproduced film . Producer Christopher Nolan pitched Goyer's idea after story discussion on The Dark Knight Rises, and Snyder was hired as the film's director in October 2010 . Principal photography began in August 2011 in West Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Vancouver and Plano, Illinois . </P> <P> Man of Steel was released in theaters on June 14, 2013, in conventional 2D, 3D, and IMAX formats . Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film became a box office success, grossing over $668 million worldwide . Critics praised the film's visuals, action sequences, and Hans Zimmer's musical score but criticized its pacing and lack of character development . A follow - up entitled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released on March 25, 2016 . </P> <P> The planet Krypton, unstable from years of industrial mining, faces impending destruction . Jor - El, chief advisor to Krypton's supreme council, recommends the council give him control of the genetics codex . Before any action can be taken, soldiers led by General Zod, an old friend of Jor - El's, launch an uprising and arrest the councilors . Realizing that Krypton is doomed, Jor - El steals genetic codes sought by Zod and infuses them into the DNA of his infant son, Kal - El--the first naturally born Kryptonian child in centuries . Donning his old armor, Jor - El sacrifices his life to allow his son to escape on a preprogrammed spacecraft . Zod orders the rocket's destruction, only to learn that forces loyal to the council have suppressed the rebellion . In a brief trial, Zod and several of the surviving rebels are convicted of treason and sentenced to the Phantom Zone moments before Krypton explodes . </P>

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