Man Of Steel Movie Nabs PG-13 Rating While Rumors Of New Villains Surface

To both the casual and critical fan, it is looking more and more like the upcoming Man of Steel will not disappoint. Under the careful eye of Zach Snyder and Christopher Nolan (yay!), this film looks like it could be the perfect way to bring an aging superhero back into the mainstream. 

This is the second attempt to bring Kal-El back to the cinema. Despite making a lot of money and a phenomenal performance by Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, 2006's Superman Returns did not fully satiate the desires of the diehard fans. (A Lois Lane that doesn't crack one joke? Seriously?!) This time, rather than trying to emulate the Christopher Reeve-era movies, Snyder and Nolan have decided to show a darker and more realistic Superman.

Why not? It certainly worked for Batman!

Those that worried that Man of Steel would be too centered on a brooding and emotional Clark Kent will be relieved to know that the film received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA. Exploring the darker side of characters is fine, but a little action never hurts. A PG-13 rating also puts Man of Steel in line with most superhero movies that have strived to tread the line between too kiddish and too graphic for mainstream audiences.

While Henry Cavil may be relatively unknown in the U.S, he is backed by an all-star cast of A-list, Oscar caliber actors. Lawrence Fishburne, Russell Crowe, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, and Michael Shannon will no doubt deliver stellar performances. The biggest things that fans of the comic and Reeve-era movies will want to see are performances that are true to the characters. (Again, no Kate Bosworth Lois Lanes!)

That means a crotchety Perry White, a wise cracking yet brilliant Lois Lane, and a General Zod that is diabolically evil. As PolicyMic's Abdul Siddidui covered earlier this week, it appears that the character of Jimmy Olson may now be Jenny Olson. This kind of change may initially send some people reeling, but most will probably accept it if Jenny is the same overly eager, goody-two-shoes that Jimmy was.

There are also rumors swirling about the possibility of new Kryptonian villains that will be making their debut in Man of Steel. According to anonymous sources, two new Kryptonian villains are rumored to be making an appearance: Tor-An, and Dev-Em. While this would be the first time these baddies are visible on the big screen, they are not strangers to the Superman canon. 

Tor-An was a sleeper agent for General Zod, disguised on Earth primarily as CEO David Carter. Dev-Em, like Zod, was an escaped criminal. Both of which would fit perfectly with the choice of General Zod, and would delight true fans of the comic. However, these are only rumors, so they must be taken with a huge grain of salt. One thing that could solidify the rumors? Tor-An is already listed in the upcoming Superman Battle of Smallville LEGO playset!

(Let's hear it for villains of the Phontom Zone!)

If however these rumors did prove to be true, it would seem to solve a few things that left people wondering from the full-length trailer. 

Would a trio of villains be able to wreak the kind of havoc that could send Perry White and Jenny Olson running from The Daily Planet building? Could this be why Superman surrenders himself to the Army? Is it to earn their trust, after other Kryptonians reveal themselves to be incredibly dangerous? Come June, we will all find out. 

In the meantime, it is looking more and more like Snyder has not given us another 300 or Watchmen. Like the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness, it appears that Man of Steel has fallen under the influence of The Dark Knight.

Despite the big earnings of films like The Avengers, the era of campy and cheesy superhero films is coming to an end. (That's right, I said it!) With the influence of the The Dark Knight Trilogy a permanent fixture in the world of superhero and comic book movies, and Man of Steel appearing to follow suit, it could be just the jolt DC needs to reign supreme again. 

Above all else, it will at least serve as an apology for Green Lantern.