David S. Goyer Calls ‘Blade 3’ A “Tortured Production” & How WB Wanted A Return To Krypton Despite Its ‘Man Of Steel’ Destruction

Screenwriter, producer, and director David S. Goyer (“Krypton,” “Foundation“) has been behind some of the most popular comic book films such as “Blade,” “Blade II,” “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” and “Man of Steel.” Things haven’t always gone his way, and the writer/director has had to deal with some difficult moments during the making of his projects. 

READ MORE: Kate Beckinsale Says Marvel Shot Down A Proposed ‘Underworld’/’Blade’ Crossover Film

Goyer’s first entry into directing was with the messy “Blade: Trinity,” which essentially killed the franchise led by Wesley Snipes. The film was an obvious disaster on screen but was also a nightmare behind the scenes. There had been some documented tension between screenwriter-turned-director and star Wesley Snipes, the two had been creative partners on the previous two movies (Goyer writing all three installments), but something happened on “Blade: Trinity” that led to Snipes reportedly putting his hands on Goyer, as co-star Patton Oswalt has alleged several times to many media outlets over the years. (which Snipes himself has denied).

READ MORE: ‘Blade: Trinity’ Wesley Snipes Denies Rumor That He Tried To Strangle Director On Set

During a recent chat with THR, David S. Goyer was asked about the allegations. Without confirming the statements, the filmmaker alluded to Oswalt’s comments and vaguely suggested they were accurate but carefully talking around the actual, alleged altercation.

READ MORE: Patton Oswalt Has Some Pretty Awful Wesley Snipes Stories From ‘Blade: Trinity’

“Let’s just say I have tremendous respect for Wesley as an actor. He used to be a friend. We’re not friends anymore. I am friends with Patton, and I worked with Patton since, so … I don’t think anyone involved in that film had a good experience on that film. Certainly, I didn’t. I don’t think anybody involved with that film is happy with the results. It was a very tortured production,” the filmmaker responded. 

READ MORE: ‘Blade’: Marvel’s Top Choice To Direct Is ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Filmmaker Bassam Tariq

Goyer also cites some bizarre studio notes from Warner Bros. on Zack Snyder‘s “Man of Steel” as they wanted the ability for Henry Cavill‘s Superman to return home to Krypton. However, the entire planet was destroyed in the opening act and is an iconic part of the superhero’s story, a brain fart from the studio. 

One note I got was on ‘Man of Steel,’ where the ending involves Superman utilizing the pod that he arrived in as a child to bring down General Zod’s ship. The note we got from the studio said, ‘You have to change that.’ We asked why. They said, ‘Because if Superman uses that pod and it’s destroyed while saving the city, how is he ever going to get back home to Krypton?’ There was just this long pause, and we said, “Krypton blew up. You saw 30 minutes of it!'” One has to be curious if that studio note helped inspire his “Krypton” series.

Warner Bros. is attempting a new “Superman” take with a black incarnation of the character. Marvel Studios is making a reboot of “Blade” led by Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali, potentially coming in 2022 or 2023.