And I thought it was important that the decent folk, simple folk be the heart of the story, and a character who is guileless, who isn't complicated in the sort of flawed way our Dark Knight is, and isn't political in any way.

CNN: 'Man of Steel': Not the familiar Superman (fan)fare

Coming off three Dark Knight films directed by Christopher Nolan ("Batman Begins, " "The Dark Knight, " and "The Dark Knight Rises"), Zimmer also didn't want to do "another really dark" superhero movie.

CNN: 'Man of Steel': Not the familiar Superman (fan)fare