There's are many small teasers and very stupid "hints" in the recent interviews with the Man of Steel (MOS) cast. A lot of people seem to hanging on every word and trying to decipher the mystery plot. I think I have it somewhat figured out.
IF you want to go straight to my prediction of THE STORY, scroll down. However, there are a few points that will reinforce my points on the story in the section below.
First, hard facts and my opinions on directors, writers and cast.
Director - Zack Snyder. Loved 300. Loved the Watchmen. Didn't like Sucker Punch's story. Zack didn't write 300 or the Watchmen. He wrote Sucker Punch. Clearly, not a good writer. As a stylistic director, he is amazing. He has his own style and is going to bring an awesome visually dynamic Superman movie. I've been dying to see Superman brawl and I know Zack can deliver.
Writers - Nolan Brother and David S. Goyer. How can they do wrong? They have pumped out some of the most original stories for movies in the past 10 years. Most movies are simply remakes. Our cultural nostalgia is getting in the way of our artistic initiative. These guys are breaking the trend. They have said they wanted to bring Superman down to a more realistically relatable level (we'll see with CK's glasses). I understand why they did this. Marvel movies are set in real cities and aren't as fantasy driven as DC. I think it worked great with the Nolan Batman series and I want to believe that it can work with MOS.
Cast:
Henry Cavill: I won't say perfect, but he's pretty damn close. He's missed so many huge roles in his career. In turn, it has made him more determined for a leading role. When I first saw him in the costume, I was skeptical. Then I saw picture of him close up. He's ripped like superman. He's looks like a man's champion. I'm very happy with him.
Amy Adams: Not the Lois Lane I wanted. I don't think she fits the part. Don't like the auburn hair. She got the role because of The Fighter. She may be able to act but she is no Lois Lane. I would have preferred Michelle Monaghan or Rachel McAdams. I think they match up better with Henry.
Rest of the cast is good.
Ma and Pa Kent - Smart. Although, I think Diane Lane is going to be hotter than Amy Adams. Kevin Coster will make a great Pa Kent.
Lawrence Fishburne - Perry White. Random but whatever. He'll do a good job.
Michael Shannon - He plays a very convincing villan and will make a great Zod.
Russell Crowe - Jor-El. Good. He's one of my favorite actors. Always delivers on a great performance and will give Marlon Brando a run for his money. The costume - looks too warriorish and not scientific enough.
Ayelet Zurer - Lara Lor-Van. Sure why not. The first woman they cast wasn't bad either. They have the look and I think that's the only thing they were going for. Doesn't seem like she's going to have a big role.
Lex Luthor - I think that if they set this up for a trilogy (knock on wood), he'll be behind the curtains in this movie. Who they cast - Too soon to worry about that.
The Superman Suit:
I was hoping for the trunks but I can see why Nolan got rid of them (Yes. Nolan. I was obviously his decision as a writer). I like the shield. The shield in Superman Returns was too small. The costume looks more alien which is important. I think that it will allow the audience to believe the story more so than the (incorrect) preconceived notion of a superpowered human. I would have liked the colors to be a bit brighter but knowing Zack, the look and feel could be changed in post-production.
Phew! Now that that is out of the way, let's get to...
THE STORY
Obviously, movie scenes aren't shot in chronological order. A lot of actors continuously say "I can't wait to see how it turns out" or "Its sometimes difficult to see it all come together." There are four main scenes we've seen and I'm going to tie them together for you.
There's a lot of fan conjecture on the plot. It's important to note what Nolan had in mind for this movie from the start. In early reports of this movie, Nolan talked about his ideas. He said MOS was going to be about a young man/reporter coming of age and finding his purpose on our planet by exploring different areas of the world.
This how I see the story unfolding:
Superman is introduced in Smallville with an origin. The origin will be changed to be more realistic. They could skip over it but this is where the writers can make Superman more realistic and relatable. This is where we see Clark (clean shaven) helping people evacuate due to a tornado (set pics have been seen). Something goes wrong. Loses someone important - perhaps Lana. Every great superhero typically has a great loss when first dealing with powers and being a hero. Has a difficult time copying. Pa Kent attempts to make CK realize and accept his responsibility as a hero. Too much for a young CK. Leaves for Metropolis to find purpose in his life. Before he can become a hero, he has answer the questions of his past.
Next, we move to Metropolis. We saw Henry being filmed in Chicago riding his bike. We know the Chicago Board of Trade building is being used as the Daily Plant (it was also used for Wayne Enterprises in Batman Begins and TDK). The scenes of Clark riding his bike show no glasses and a seemingly younger Clark. This is Clark leaving Smallville trying to find his way similar Superman: Earth One. I believe he explores job opportunities until he finds a job at the Daily Planet. He is hired as a field reporter and goes around the world exploring different stories while looking for answers to his past. I believe he picks up on mysterious events, unbeknownst to Clark they are caused by Zod, and follows them around the world investigating. This leads him to Alaska.
I'm not surprised they are shooting in Alaska (the north pole has always played a big part in Superman lore). I believe this is the middle of the movie. His travels have been long, hence the beard, and the questions Clark has have all lead to Alaska. On the same path, he encounters Zod looking for a Kryptonian library of universal knowledge (aka The Fortress of Solitude). No way are they leaving this out; we just haven't seen it yet. I think Zod is after something. Most likely, he is looking for the last surviving Kryptonan Kal-El. To make him an ally or destroy the only thing standing in his way. Clark also finds the Fortress and finds the answers he was looking for in his travels. Here, Zod sees that Clark Kent is no ordinary human. He realizes, CK is Kal-El. Their relationship could be amicable at first. But, after seeing that Zod has a mission of world domination, Clark does not agree. He defends the humans and Zod sees it as a weakness. To show how menial and insignificant humans are, Zod goes on a rampage. Clark steps in and makes one of his first saves with the coast guards (recent images of him shirtless, with a beard, green screen, coast guard).
Side note: As to what Zod is looking for, it could also be Brainiac. We can't know it yet because Brainiac could be the CGI character on set. They can cast the voice actor later. That's why he hasn't been announced (the Nolan team is all about secrecy). Also, I don't think it will Doomsday. He will probably be saved for a sequel. But for now, lets assume its Kal-El.
At this point, Zod retreats to hatch a plan against Kal-El. Lois has been sent by Perry to find Clark who has been out of contact since he left. Amy Adams has been spotted in Alaska. After saving the coast guards, Lois finally tracks him down and brings him back to Metropolis. Renewed with a sense of duty to protect the weak and innocent - tada! - Superman is born (gets the suit from either Martha or the Fortress). Clark returns to Metropolis to figure out his alter ego. Get's side tracked with saving people. Lois may or may not know of his secret identity. This is something that has me stumped.
Zod traced Superman back to Smallville. He know's Clark Kent is Supes. He can figure out his home town. That would be easy for him now. He finds Superman's weak spot. Zod attacks Smallville, Superman's home and the Kents. Pa Kent attempts to protect Martha, yet Zod swats him away. Superman arrives just in time before he kills Martha. Superman with the help of Ursa (she could have been with him but I believe he frees Ursa and the CGI guy at the Fortress) and the unidentified CGI man. Huge battle in Smallville (first official photo of the bank and Smallville set destroyed). Superman gets rid of Ursa and CGI character. Reverses whatever Zod did to get them there. Infuriated, Zod retreats. He is a military tactician, knows how to strategizes and when to save the fight for another day. Superman returns to his parents home to find Johnathan in his last gasp of air. This will be a pinnacle moment for Superman and the movie. Johnathan will remind him to never kill because that separates him from Zod and other tyrants.
Superman is blinded with rage. He is ready to cut loose. He has always had to be mindful of his powers. He lives in a world made of cardboard. He is ready to destroy Zod. Takes flight at an incredible speed and catches up to Zod in the sky. A final battle ensues of Zod and Superman. An all out battle royal - this where Snyder will fulfill his promise to show a physical brawling Superman. Superman defeats Zod but doesn't kill him. They could use the Phantom Zone to set up other villans (i.e. Doomsday) but I think Nolan is trying to move away from this overly fantasized aspect of Superman. It could work as some sort of advanced science and I think it could link back to Ursa, the CGI character and other future villans. I just don't see Nolan accepting that. We'll see how it ends up.
Fast forward to Clark's return to the Daily Planet. We see Clark Kent walking into the Daily Planet with glasses, an overly sized suit, an awkward speech, a clumsy demeanor and a shy personality. It ends with him listening to the police broadcast listening for crimes. Something occurs and he leaves to save the day. We see him fly through Metropolis, and subtly we see LexCorp in the back.
Roll Credits.
After credits teaser. Secretary walks in to a massive office. At this point, we only see the secretary. "Here is the file you wanted." File is called "Krypton." A mysterious man says, "Thank you. That will be all." She leaves.
A wide shot of a silhouette of a bald man standing, behind his desk, facing the window. A red and blue blur zooms by. "Superman? I'll be the judge of that." Opens a lead box, the green glow from a large rock of kryptonite illuminates his front yet the shot never changes and we don't see his face.
End.