Jonathan Kent, the adoptive father of Clark Kent’s death in the Man of Steel movie directed by Zack Snyder is still considered one of the controversial decisions. Even now, this scene is a topic of debate among fans. However, does Snyder think so No, in a recent interview, the director has defended this death.
Zack Snyder Defends Jonathan Kent’s Death in Man of Steel
Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent and Dylan Sprayberry as Clark Kent in Man of Steel. Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Rebel Moon director Zack Snyder has come forward to defend his decision to kill Jonathan Kent in 2013’s Man of Steel. While shedding light on his interpretation of that death, in an interview with GQ, he said that it was a necessary step considering Clark Kent’s character development.
And Clark allowing his father to die makes perfect sense, Snyder thinks. This scene faced so much criticism as many thought that Clark could easily save his father.
Snyder shared the underlying meaning of his death.
“The conversation is exactly what he says to Lois…I let my father die to protect the idea that my father was trying to protect,” Snyder tells GQ. “The idea that I wasn’t ready to be outed to the world because I wasn’t Superman. I’m just a teenager that could’ve made a mess of it. I have the power to do it, but have I ever used my powers in this way?“
“I trusted that his vision for what I could be was bigger than him,” Snyder adds, talking from Clark’s point of view.
“This little incident in Kansas was not the thing that was going to expose me to the world.”
Fans were divided by this scene. While some said that it was a ridiculous decision, some considered it as a valid and exciting moment.
What if Clark Kent Saved Jonathan Kent?
Henry Cavill in Man of Steel (2013). Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Jonathan Kent’s death in the DCEU is an important moment, shaping Clark’s journey into Superman. While Jonathan’s fear of public exposure to Clark’s powers is understandable, it raises an interesting question. Had he saved his father, could we see a more experienced Superman when General Zod invaded?
Imagine a Superman with an extra 16 years of experience under his belt. That’s the scenario we might have seen if Clark Kent had defied his father’s wishes and used his powers to save him from the tornado. Jonathan Kent, fearing the world’s reaction to an alien with extraordinary abilities, believed Clark should keep his powers hidden. However, this delayed Clark’s public emergence as Superman, potentially costing Metropolis dearly during General Zod’s invasion.
The timeline suggests a significant gap. Jonathan dies when Clark is around 17, while Zod attacks Earth 16 years later. Imagine if Clark, instead of remaining anonymous, had embraced his heroic potential and publicly revealed himself as Superman at a younger age. Those 16 years would have been invaluable, allowing Clark to hone his powers and develop the confidence and experience needed to face a global threat like Zod.
While Clark did perform anonymous acts of heroism during this period, the responsibility of safeguarding the entire planet is a whole other beast. He needed time to mature into that leadership role. Facing threats like Zod requires a seasoned hero, not someone still learning the ropes. Publicly revealing his powers and becoming Superman earlier could have provided Clark with the crucial experience needed to defend Metropolis from utter destruction during Zod’s assault.
Watch Man of Steel on Netflix.
