Watching the trailers for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, you wouldn’t be crazy to assume that Zack Snyder’s superhero showdown film appears to be addressing the criticisms of Man of Steel — namely, the oft-repeated complaint that Snyder’s first Superman film depicted the hero as rather oblivious or uncaring of the resultant mass destruction from his battle with Zod. But according to Henry Cavill, if there appears to be some acknowledgement of that criticism in Batman v Superman, it’s not intentional.

In Batman v SupermanBen Affleck’s Batman appears to serve as a sort of reckoning for Superman, with the billionaire vigilante perceiving the alien superhero as irresponsible and untrustworthy — particularly after the events of Man of Steel which, as we’ve seen in the trailers, had a huge impact on Bruce Wayne.

While speaking with Cineplex, Cavill says that regardless of the impression given by the trailers, the film doesn’t intentionally address the criticisms of Man of Steel and Superman’s destructive heroism:

The reception of my first Superman movie, from what I’ve read, was fairly mixed. Everyone I’ve spoken to enjoyed the movie, but [not] unlike if you’re going to meet a stranger in the street, they’re not going to badmouth you to your face. There’s no intentional move, I don’t think, in Batman v Superman to address any issues that people had with Man of Steel. It’s just a continuation of that storyline and they continue to develop that world and introduce new characters.

According to reports from those who have read the screenplay, however, it seems quite plain that Snyder is trying to address that very specific criticism about Man of Steel. Maybe Cavill didn’t get the memo, or perhaps he simply doesn’t see it that way. He certainly sees something in Superman that some people don’t:

I think maybe people may look down on some popular-culture stuff, but they’re actually very complicated and interesting characters. Superman especially, he’s just wonderfully rich and one of those things, for me, that’s just enjoyable to play. There’s so far you can go with it; if you really, really delve deep into the character, there’s so much you can do. It’s just about exploring it within the vehicles and finding what you want to do. He’s going to have some very interesting character development in this one.

Cavill is a very good Clark Kent / Superman; he was just saddled with a film that’s only occasionally good. Here’s hoping for better things from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which hits theaters on March 25.

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