Even the best writers at times hit a wall. For David S. Goyer, that wall came during the writing process of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Alongside Christopher Nolan, Goyer had already helped shape one of the most celebrated superhero trilogies of all time.
However, as they were working on ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, Goyer found himself stuck, unable to figure out key story elements. So, he did what many writers do when they need to clear their minds: he took a break. But instead of simply stepping away, he channeled his creative energy elsewhere. In just one week, Goyer wrote a two-page treatment for a completely different film, which we now know as ‘Man of Steel’.
Pressure Of Writing ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Was The Catalyst For ‘Man Of Steel’ Idea
By the time ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ was in development, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy had been a massive critical and commercial success, largely due to Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance as the Joker. Topping that was going to be nearly impossible. Goyer and Nolan had to craft a conclusion that was both epic and satisfying.
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One of the biggest challenges for the writer was to figure out how Batman would ultimately defeat Bane. This frustration led to his decision to step away for a short break. What happened next was unexpected as during that break, he found himself drawn to a different superhero, one that had been waiting for a fresh cinematic take.
During his hiatus, Goyer revisited early Action Comics issues featuring Superman’s first appearances. Something about those stories struck a chord with him and he had a new vision for the Man of Steel. When he returned to Nolan, he said, “I’ve got this Superman movie that has nothing to do with The Dark Knight Rises.”
Of course, that’s not entirely true. While Man of Steel was narratively separate from Nolan’s Batman trilogy, it carried over some of the same thematic elements. Just as Bruce Wayne’s journey in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ focused on the struggle to maintain his legacy, ‘Man of Steel’ explores Superman’s burden of being a god among men. Nolan, who was impressed by the idea pitched it to the studios and just like that, Man of Steel was born.
The Shared DNA Of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ And ‘Man Of Steel’
Though tonally different, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and ‘Man of Steel’ share a common storytelling approach. Both films are grounded in realism, despite featuring larger-than-life characters. Nolan’s influence can be felt in ‘Man of Steel’, particularly in its grounded world-building and serious tone.
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More importantly, both films grapple with the moral dilemmas of their heroes. Bruce Wayne faces the consequences of creating a legend that outgrows him, while Clark Kent struggles with the weight of his own powers. These aren’t simple, traditional superhero stories where the good guy triumphs easily; they are about the cost of being a hero.
If you compare the two films, you can see a parallel: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ avoids having Batman break his moral code by having Selina Kyle kill Bane instead. In ‘Man of Steel’, however, the burden falls squarely on Superman. It was a bold, divisive choice, one that solidified ‘Man of Steel’ as a different kind of Superman movie.
