Quotes

It's difficult to find a movie that feels true to itself. You feel the hand of Hollywood, the moviemaking by committee, on everything.

[on Man of Steel (2013)] I think it's drawing on all mythology; comic book, religion, ancient, philosophical.

[on the Superman character] All the movies I've made, I've made with a slight bit of irony. Not even a slight bit. A fair amount. But the ironic part of [ 'Man of Steel'] is that it's not ironic. You know what I mean? No tongue in cheek, no winking at the camera, no apologies. It's Superman. He deserves that. In my mind, we really had to act as if no films had been made. It's like we just found this comic book lying on the ground under a bed, and we were like, This would be a cool movie.

[For me] Superman is this adopted son, this immigrant story, this guy trying to find his place in the world. What's his purpose, what is he supposed to do, how is he supposed to be?

[promoting Watchmen (2009) and before he was hired for Man of Steel (2013)] In this world, if Superman really existed, he'd grab all the world leaders together in a room and say, 'Behave or I'll kill you.'

[on presenting his male protagonists with superhuman physiques] I have always been influenced by the fantasy art of Frank Frazetta and obsessed with the potential of humanity's physicality.

[on taking a break from Justice League (2017) because of his daughter's suicide] Here's the thing, I never planned to make this public. I thought it would just be in the family, a private matter, our private sorrow that we would deal with. When it became obvious that I need to take break, I knew there would be narratives created on the internet. They'll do what they do. The truth ...I'm past caring about that kind of thing now. [May 2017]

[on directing director Justice league] The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all-consuming, he told the publication. "I've decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I'm having a hard time. [May 2017]

[on stepping down as director on Justice league after his daughter's death] I want the movie to be amazing and I'm a fan, but that all pales pretty quickly in comparison," he said. "I know the fans are going to be worried about the movie, but there are seven other kids that need me. In the end, it's just a movie. It's a great movie. But it's just a movie. [May 2017]