Man of Steel (2013) On the doomed planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and his wife Lara (Ayelet Zurer) send their newborn son, Kal-El, to Earth to save him from the planet's destruction. General Zod (Michael Shannon) attempts a coup, believing he can save Krypton, but he is thwarted and banished to the Phantom Zone. Kal-El, now Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), grows up in Kansas with his adoptive parents, Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane). Clark struggles with his superhuman abilities and the secret of his origins. Jonathan teaches him to control his powers and use them for good but also to keep them hidden. As an adult, Clark wanders the world, performing secret acts of heroism. He discovers a Kryptonian scout ship in the Arctic, which contains a hologram of his father, Jor-El. Jor-El reveals Clark's true heritage and purpose, gifting him the iconic Superman suit. General Zod and his followers escape the Phantom Zone and arrive on Earth, demanding that humanity surrender Kal-El. Zod intends to use a World Engine to terraform Earth into a new Krypton, which would wipe out human civilization. Superman battles Zod and his forces in Smallville and Metropolis, causing widespread destruction. The climactic fight sees Superman forced to make a devastating choice to save innocent lives, ultimately killing Zod to protect humanity. In the aftermath, Clark adopts the persona of a reporter at the Daily Planet to maintain a low profile while continuing to protect Earth as Superman. His colleague Lois Lane (Amy Adams) becomes his confidant and ally. Cast: Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Michael Shannon as General Zod, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Kevin Costner as Jonathan 'Pa' Kent, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Christopher Meloni as Colonel Nathan Hardy, Antje Traue, Harry Lennix, Ayelet Zurer as Lara Lor-Van, Richard Schiff as Dr. Emil Hamilton, Jadin Gould, Carla Gugino as Kelor (voice), Christina Wren, David Paetkau as Northcom Threat Analyst.