punch. >> throw a punch every now and then and he has to, if some guy is threatening his mom, are you kidding me? >> reporter: known for his darker take on comic heroes, snider and producer christopher nolan offer fans a conflicting, bruting and more violent superman played by henry cavell. >> superman is one of the universal superheroes. not just genuinely an american thing. >> reporter: industry estimates show the film tracking around 1 $00 million opening weekend. >> what are you hearing from the fans? >> our fandengo fans are telling us this is one of the most anticipated movies of the whole year and 80% of the people who bought tickets are excited to buy the darker tone. >> reporter: if fans are excited, the film's corporate partners are through the roof. companies are banking on the man of steel from licensing deals to product placement, but then there are the critics. rotten tomatoes has this rated in the mid-60s, high 60s.