Man of Steel Quotes
Jor-El: You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun, Kal. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders.
Movie: Man of Steel
[from Comic Con trailer] Jonathan Kent: People are afraid of what they don't understand.
Movie: Man of Steel
Jor-El: Goodbye, my son. Our hopes and dreams travel with you.
Lara Lor-Van: He will be an outcast. They'll kill him.
Jor-El: How? He'll be a god to them.
Lara Lor-Van: He will be an outcast. They'll kill him.
Jor-El: How? He'll be a god to them.
Movie: Man of Steel
General Swanwick: What have they hit us with?
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Looks like some kind of gravity weapon. It's working in tandem with their ship. Somehow they're increasing the Earth's mass clouding the atmosphere with particulates. Oh, my God. They're terraforming.
Captain Carrie Farris: What's that?
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Planetary engineering modifying the Earth's atmosphere and topography.
General Swanwick: Turning Earth into Krypton.
Captain Carrie Farris: But what happens to us?
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Based on these readings, there won't be an us.
Northcom Threat Analyst: General Swanwick, sir. I'm on with the control tower. Colonel Hardy's on his way in and he's got Superman in tow.
General Swanwick: Superman?
Northcom Threat Analyst: The alien, sir. That's what they're calling him. Superman.
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Looks like some kind of gravity weapon. It's working in tandem with their ship. Somehow they're increasing the Earth's mass clouding the atmosphere with particulates. Oh, my God. They're terraforming.
Captain Carrie Farris: What's that?
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Planetary engineering modifying the Earth's atmosphere and topography.
General Swanwick: Turning Earth into Krypton.
Captain Carrie Farris: But what happens to us?
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Based on these readings, there won't be an us.
Northcom Threat Analyst: General Swanwick, sir. I'm on with the control tower. Colonel Hardy's on his way in and he's got Superman in tow.
General Swanwick: Superman?
Northcom Threat Analyst: The alien, sir. That's what they're calling him. Superman.
Movie: Man of Steel
[Superman has brought down a military drone] General Swanwick: Are you effing stupid?
Superman: It's one of your surveillance drones.
General Swanwick: That's a $12 million piece of hardware!
Superman: It was. I know you're trying to find out where I hang my cape. You won't.
General Swanwick: Then I'll ask the obvious question. How do we know you won't one day act against America's interests?
Superman: I grew up in Kansas, General. I'm about as American as it gets. [pause]
Superman: Look. I'm here to help... but it has to be on my own terms. And you have to convince Washington of that.
General Swanwick: Even if I were willing to try, what makes you think they'd listen?
Superman: I don't know, General. Guess I'll just have to trust you. [Superman flies away]
General Swanwick: What are you smiling about, Captain?
Captain Carrie Farris: Nothing, sir. I just think he's kind of hot.
General Swanwick: Get in the car, Captain.
Captain Carrie Farris: [still smiling]Mm-hm. Yes, sir.
Superman: It's one of your surveillance drones.
General Swanwick: That's a $12 million piece of hardware!
Superman: It was. I know you're trying to find out where I hang my cape. You won't.
General Swanwick: Then I'll ask the obvious question. How do we know you won't one day act against America's interests?
Superman: I grew up in Kansas, General. I'm about as American as it gets. [pause]
Superman: Look. I'm here to help... but it has to be on my own terms. And you have to convince Washington of that.
General Swanwick: Even if I were willing to try, what makes you think they'd listen?
Superman: I don't know, General. Guess I'll just have to trust you. [Superman flies away]
General Swanwick: What are you smiling about, Captain?
Captain Carrie Farris: Nothing, sir. I just think he's kind of hot.
General Swanwick: Get in the car, Captain.
Captain Carrie Farris: [still smiling]Mm-hm. Yes, sir.
Movie: Man of Steel
Father Leone: What's on your mind?
Clark Kent: I don't know where to start.
Father Leone: Wherever you want.
Clark Kent: That ship that appeared last night, I'm the one they're looking for.
Father Leone: [swallows nervously]Do you know... why they want you?
Clark Kent: No, but this General Zod... even if I surrender, there's no guarantee he'll keep his word. But if there's a chance I can save Earth by turning myself in, shouldn't I take it?
Father Leone: What does your gut tell you?
Clark Kent: Zod can't be trusted. The problem is, I'm not sure the people of Earth can be either. [walks away]
Father Leone: Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith first. The trust part comes later.
Clark Kent: I don't know where to start.
Father Leone: Wherever you want.
Clark Kent: That ship that appeared last night, I'm the one they're looking for.
Father Leone: [swallows nervously]Do you know... why they want you?
Clark Kent: No, but this General Zod... even if I surrender, there's no guarantee he'll keep his word. But if there's a chance I can save Earth by turning myself in, shouldn't I take it?
Father Leone: What does your gut tell you?
Clark Kent: Zod can't be trusted. The problem is, I'm not sure the people of Earth can be either. [walks away]
Father Leone: Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith first. The trust part comes later.
Movie: Man of Steel
Jonathan Kent: Did they hurt you?
Clark Kent at 13: You know they can't.
Jonathan Kent: That's not what I meant. I meant, are you all right?
Clark Kent at 13: I wanted to hit that kid. I wanted to hit him so bad.
Jonathan Kent: I know you did. I mean, part of me even wanted you to, but then what? Make you feel any better? You just have to decide what kind of a man you want to grow up to be, Clark; because whoever that man is, good character or bad, he's... He's gonna change the world.
Clark Kent at 13: You know they can't.
Jonathan Kent: That's not what I meant. I meant, are you all right?
Clark Kent at 13: I wanted to hit that kid. I wanted to hit him so bad.
Jonathan Kent: I know you did. I mean, part of me even wanted you to, but then what? Make you feel any better? You just have to decide what kind of a man you want to grow up to be, Clark; because whoever that man is, good character or bad, he's... He's gonna change the world.
Movie: Man of Steel
Faora: [Beating up Kal-El]You are weak, Son of El, unsure of yourself. The fact that you possess a sense of morality, and we do not, gives us an evolutionary advantage. And if history has proven *anything*...
Faora: [Faora picks up Kal-El throws him into another building]
Faora: ...It is that evolution always wins.
Faora: [Faora picks up Kal-El throws him into another building]
Faora: ...It is that evolution always wins.
Movie: Man of Steel
Superman: [about Earth's people]Why am I so different from them?
Jor-El: Earth's sun is younger and brighter than Krypton's was. Your cells have drunk in its radiation, strengthening your muscles, your skin, your senses. Earth's gravity is weaker, yet its atmosphere is more nourishing. You've grown stronger here than I ever could have imagined. The only way to know how strong, is to keep testing your limits.
Jor-El: Earth's sun is younger and brighter than Krypton's was. Your cells have drunk in its radiation, strengthening your muscles, your skin, your senses. Earth's gravity is weaker, yet its atmosphere is more nourishing. You've grown stronger here than I ever could have imagined. The only way to know how strong, is to keep testing your limits.
Movie: Man of Steel
[last lines] Lois Lane: Hi, Lois Lane. Welcome to The Planet.
Clark Kent: Glad to be here Lois.
Clark Kent: Glad to be here Lois.
Movie: Man of Steel
General Zod: [transmission]You are not alone... My name is General Zod. I come from a world far from yours. I have journeyed across an ocean of stars to reach you. For some time, your world has sheltered one of my citizens. I request that you return this individual to my custody. For reasons unknown, he has chosen to keep his existence a secret from you. He will have made efforts to blend in. He will look like you, but he is not one of you. To those of you who may know of his current location: the fate of your planet rests in your hands. To Kal-El, I say this: surrender within 24 hours, or watch this world suffer the consequences.
Movie: Man of Steel
Lor-Em: General Zod, for the crimes of murder and high treason, the council has sentenced you and your fellow insurgents to 300 cycles of somatic reconditioning. Do you have any last words?
General Zod: You won't kill us yourself! You wouldn't dirty your hands but you'll damn us to a black hole for eternity! Jor-El was right! You're a pack of fools, every last one of you!
General Zod: [to Lara]You... you believe your son is safe... I will find him. I will reclaim what you have taken from us! I will find him. I will find him, Lara. I WILL FIND HIM!
General Zod: You won't kill us yourself! You wouldn't dirty your hands but you'll damn us to a black hole for eternity! Jor-El was right! You're a pack of fools, every last one of you!
General Zod: [to Lara]You... you believe your son is safe... I will find him. I will reclaim what you have taken from us! I will find him. I will find him, Lara. I WILL FIND HIM!
Movie: Man of Steel
[first lines] Jor-El: Will you not understand? Krypton's core is collapsing! We may only have a matter of weeks! I warned you, harvesting the core was suicide! It has accelerated the process of implosion!
Lor-Em: Our energy reserves were exhausted. What would you have us do, El?
Jor-El: Look to the stars, like our ancestors did! There are habitable worlds within reach. We can begin by using the old outposts.
Ro-Zar: Are you seriously suggesting that we evacuate the entire planet?
Jor-El: No, everybody here is already dead. Give me control of the Codex. I will ensure the survival of our race. There is still hope. I have held that hope in my hands...
Lor-Em: Our energy reserves were exhausted. What would you have us do, El?
Jor-El: Look to the stars, like our ancestors did! There are habitable worlds within reach. We can begin by using the old outposts.
Ro-Zar: Are you seriously suggesting that we evacuate the entire planet?
Jor-El: No, everybody here is already dead. Give me control of the Codex. I will ensure the survival of our race. There is still hope. I have held that hope in my hands...
Movie: Man of Steel
Colonel Nathan Hardy: Miss Lane. I'm Colonel Hardy, U.S. Northcom. Dr. Emil Hamilton from DARPA. You're early.
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Hi.
Colonel Nathan Hardy: We were expecting you tomorrow.
Lois Lane: Which is why I showed up today. Look, let's get one thing straight, guys, okay? The only reason I'm here is because we're on Canadian soil and the appellate court overruled your injunction to keep me away. So, if we're done measuring dicks, can you have your people show me what you found?
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Hi.
Colonel Nathan Hardy: We were expecting you tomorrow.
Lois Lane: Which is why I showed up today. Look, let's get one thing straight, guys, okay? The only reason I'm here is because we're on Canadian soil and the appellate court overruled your injunction to keep me away. So, if we're done measuring dicks, can you have your people show me what you found?
Movie: Man of Steel
Jor-El: To see you standing there having grown into an adult... if only Lara could have witnessed this.
Clark Kent: Who are you?
Jor-El: I am your father, Kal, or at least a shadow of him. His consciousness. My name is Jor-El
Clark Kent: Kal? That's my name?
Jor-El: Kal-El, it is.
Clark Kent: I have so many questions. Where do I come from? Why did you send me here?
Jor-El: You came from Krypton, a world with a much harsher environment than Earth's. Long ago, in an era of expansion, our race spread out through the stars, seeking new worlds to settle upon. This scout ship was one of thousands launched into the void. We built outposts on other planets, using great machines to reshape environments to our needs. For 100 thousand years our civilization flourished, accomplishing wonders.
Clark Kent: What happened?
Jor-El: Artificial population control was established. The outposts and space exploration were abandoned. We exhausted our natural resources. As a result, our planet's core became unstable. Eventually, our military leader, General Zod, attempted a coup, but by then it was too late. Your mother and I foresaw the coming calamity and we took certain steps to ensure your survival. This is a genesis chamber. All Kryptonians were conceived in chambers such as this. Every child was designed to perform a predetermined role in our society as a worker, a warrior, a leader, and so on. Your mother and I believed Krypton lost something precious, the element of choice, of chance. What if a child dreamed of becoming something other than what society had intended? What if a child aspired to something greater? You were the embodiment of that belief Kal. Krypton's first natural birth in centuries. That's why we risked so much to save you.
Clark Kent: Why didn't you come with me?
Jor-El: We couldn't, Kal.
Clark Kent: Who are you?
Jor-El: I am your father, Kal, or at least a shadow of him. His consciousness. My name is Jor-El
Clark Kent: Kal? That's my name?
Jor-El: Kal-El, it is.
Clark Kent: I have so many questions. Where do I come from? Why did you send me here?
Jor-El: You came from Krypton, a world with a much harsher environment than Earth's. Long ago, in an era of expansion, our race spread out through the stars, seeking new worlds to settle upon. This scout ship was one of thousands launched into the void. We built outposts on other planets, using great machines to reshape environments to our needs. For 100 thousand years our civilization flourished, accomplishing wonders.
Clark Kent: What happened?
Jor-El: Artificial population control was established. The outposts and space exploration were abandoned. We exhausted our natural resources. As a result, our planet's core became unstable. Eventually, our military leader, General Zod, attempted a coup, but by then it was too late. Your mother and I foresaw the coming calamity and we took certain steps to ensure your survival. This is a genesis chamber. All Kryptonians were conceived in chambers such as this. Every child was designed to perform a predetermined role in our society as a worker, a warrior, a leader, and so on. Your mother and I believed Krypton lost something precious, the element of choice, of chance. What if a child dreamed of becoming something other than what society had intended? What if a child aspired to something greater? You were the embodiment of that belief Kal. Krypton's first natural birth in centuries. That's why we risked so much to save you.
Clark Kent: Why didn't you come with me?
Jor-El: We couldn't, Kal.
Movie: Man of Steel
Colonel Nathan Hardy: [to Faora-Ul]You're right: a good death is its own reward.
Movie: Man of Steel
[Lara looks out solemnly over the exploding landscape of Krypton] Lara Lor-Van: Make a better world than ours, Kal.
Movie: Man of Steel
Jor-El: My son is twice the man you were, and he will finish what we started. I can promise you that.
General Zod: Tell me, you have Jor-El's memories; his conscience. Can you experience his pain? I will harvest the codex from your son's corpse, and I will rebuild Krypton atop his bones.
General Zod: Tell me, you have Jor-El's memories; his conscience. Can you experience his pain? I will harvest the codex from your son's corpse, and I will rebuild Krypton atop his bones.
Movie: Man of Steel
Superman: [to Lois]You might want to step back a little bit. Maybe a little bit more.
Movie: Man of Steel
Clark Kent at 13: Can't I just keep pretending I'm your son?
Jonathan Kent: You are my son. But somewhere out there you have another father too, who gave you another name. And he sent you here for a reason, Clark. And even if it takes you the rest of your life you owe it to yourself to find out what that reason is.
Jonathan Kent: You are my son. But somewhere out there you have another father too, who gave you another name. And he sent you here for a reason, Clark. And even if it takes you the rest of your life you owe it to yourself to find out what that reason is.
Movie: Man of Steel
General Zod: [Holding dust in his hand talking to Superman]Look at this. We could have built a new Krypton in this squalor, but you chose the humans over us. I exist only to protect Krypton. That is the sole purpose for which I was born. And every action I take, no matter how violent or how cruel, is for the greater good of my people. And now... I have no people. My soul, that is what you have taken from me!
Movie: Man of Steel
Jor-El: Our people can co-exist.
General Zod: So we can suffer through years of pain, trying to adapt like your son has?
Jor-El: You're talking about genocide.
General Zod: Yes! And I'm arguing its merits with a ghost.
General Zod: So we can suffer through years of pain, trying to adapt like your son has?
Jor-El: You're talking about genocide.
General Zod: Yes! And I'm arguing its merits with a ghost.
Movie: Man of Steel
Clark Kent: My father believed that if the world found out who I really was, they'd reject me... out of fear. [flashbacks show Clark telling Lois how Jonathan died in a tornado; Clark having to stand and watch because Jonathan told him not to use his powers to come to his aid]
Clark Kent: I let my father die because I trusted him. Because he was convinced that I had to wait. That the world was not ready. What do you think?
Clark Kent: I let my father die because I trusted him. Because he was convinced that I had to wait. That the world was not ready. What do you think?
Movie: Man of Steel
Lois Lane: Why are you surrendering to Zod?
Superman: I'm surrendering to mankind. There's a difference.
Lois Lane: You let them handcuff you?
Superman: Wouldn't be much of a surrender if I resisted. And if it makes them feel more secure, then... then all the better for it.
Lois Lane: What's the 'S' stand for?
Superman: It's not an 'S.' On my world it means 'hope.'
Lois Lane: [smiles]Well, here it's an 'S.' How about... Super- [interrupted by Dr. Hamilton]
Superman: I'm surrendering to mankind. There's a difference.
Lois Lane: You let them handcuff you?
Superman: Wouldn't be much of a surrender if I resisted. And if it makes them feel more secure, then... then all the better for it.
Lois Lane: What's the 'S' stand for?
Superman: It's not an 'S.' On my world it means 'hope.'
Lois Lane: [smiles]Well, here it's an 'S.' How about... Super- [interrupted by Dr. Hamilton]
Movie: Man of Steel
Colonel Nathan Hardy: This man is not our enemy.
Clark Kent: Thank you, Colonel.
Clark Kent: Thank you, Colonel.
Movie: Man of Steel
Perry White: Two weeks leave, no pay, that's your penance. You try something like this again, you're done here.
Lois Lane: [turning to leave]Fine.
Perry White: So let's make it three weeks, since you're so willing to agree with me.
Lois Lane: Perry...
Perry White: No, no. Don't. Don't. I believe you saw something, Lois. But not for a moment do I believe that your leads just went cold. So whatever your reasons are for dropping it, I think you're doing the right thing.
Lois Lane: Why?
Perry White: Can you imagine how people on this planet would react if they knew there was someone like this out there?
Lois Lane: [turning to leave]Fine.
Perry White: So let's make it three weeks, since you're so willing to agree with me.
Lois Lane: Perry...
Perry White: No, no. Don't. Don't. I believe you saw something, Lois. But not for a moment do I believe that your leads just went cold. So whatever your reasons are for dropping it, I think you're doing the right thing.
Lois Lane: Why?
Perry White: Can you imagine how people on this planet would react if they knew there was someone like this out there?
Movie: Man of Steel
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Sir? Hi, my name is Dr. E...
Superman: Emil Hamilton. I know, I can see your ID tag in your breast pocket, along with a half-eaten roll of wintergreen Life Savers. I can also see the squad of soldiers in the next room, preparing that tranquilizing agent of yours. You won't need it.
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Sir, you-you can't expect us to not take precautions. You could be carrying some kind of alien pathogen.
Superman: Been here for 33 years, Doctor. Haven't infected anyone yet.
General Swanwick: That you know of. We have legitimate security concerns. Now, you revealed your identity to Miss Lane over there. Why won't you do the same with us?
Superman: Let's put our cards on the table here, General. [Superman effortlessly snaps the links between his cuffs and approaches General Swanwick]
Superman: You're scared of me because you can't control me. You don't, and you never will. But that doesn't mean I'm your enemy.
General Swanwick: Then who is? Zod?
Superman: That's what I'm worried about.
General Swanwick: Be that as it may, I've been given orders to hand you over to him.
Superman: Do what you have to do, General.
Superman: Emil Hamilton. I know, I can see your ID tag in your breast pocket, along with a half-eaten roll of wintergreen Life Savers. I can also see the squad of soldiers in the next room, preparing that tranquilizing agent of yours. You won't need it.
Dr. Emil Hamilton: Sir, you-you can't expect us to not take precautions. You could be carrying some kind of alien pathogen.
Superman: Been here for 33 years, Doctor. Haven't infected anyone yet.
General Swanwick: That you know of. We have legitimate security concerns. Now, you revealed your identity to Miss Lane over there. Why won't you do the same with us?
Superman: Let's put our cards on the table here, General. [Superman effortlessly snaps the links between his cuffs and approaches General Swanwick]
Superman: You're scared of me because you can't control me. You don't, and you never will. But that doesn't mean I'm your enemy.
General Swanwick: Then who is? Zod?
Superman: That's what I'm worried about.
General Swanwick: Be that as it may, I've been given orders to hand you over to him.
Superman: Do what you have to do, General.
Movie: Man of Steel
Lara Lor-Van: I can't do it... I thought I could, but...
Jor-El: Lara, Krypton is doomed. This is the only chance of safety he has.
Jor-El: Lara, Krypton is doomed. This is the only chance of safety he has.
Movie: Man of Steel