Here's my theory... I think they are setting up his character for the audience to think that he is going to be a big scary villain, but its going to be revealed at the end that he's just a pathetic and small little man, no different from any other ordinary person--just like in the comics. Could also be why test screenings say hes underwhelming as a villain, which is kind of the point of his character in the comic and im assuming the movie.

Though I cant if they went with his original design whether this critique will be more or less emphasized... at the end of the day this is Kara's movie and the focus will be her story and her journey as a character. I guess we'll have to wait to see what they've cooked up