How James Gunn Changed Superman for a New Generation

Dude, Where’s My Superhero? Gosh darn it! Superman has been “Gunnified!”

Writer/director James Gunn has cut his DC Comics chops with Guardians Of The Galaxy and Suicide Squad. Now, he returns with an eclectic take on Superman (David Corenswet) with disparate tones ranging from punk rock, goofy, irreverent, to a chillingly accurate of the current global political climate.

Superman might as well be wearing a cape that changes colors and a novelty bow tie that twirls. Krypto (the dog) could also use a long stint at obedience school – bar the ones that didn’t expel him for biting the instructor.

DC Comics center on the trio of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. Over the years, the main DC characters have been presented as brooding and earnest protectors of humanity with little downtime or personal growth.

Gunn’s Superman changes all that. Clark Kent/ Superman navigates a relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who admittedly isn’t good with relationships, but then again, neither is he. Why would “breakfast for dinner” cause an argument? 

James Gunn’s Superman is neither an origin story (although it throws back to his parents sending him to earth to avoid the catastrophic fate of his home planet Krypton), it’s hardly a sequel, prequel (or any kind of “quel” for that matter). It’s more of an new artistic expression – Gunn style. The film neatly glosses over Superman’s 300-year history as a refugee from Krypton – from Kal-El to Clark Kent to Superman. We’re immersed in the story with an assumption of his backstory.

Despite his cavalier attitude to this iconic superhero, Gunn acknowledges that it all came together because producer Peter Safran, wanted to make a Superman movie for years. In a more contemplative pivot, Gunn explains, “Superman is the cornerstone of the superhero genre. He’s the first superhero and a vital character for DC.”

Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster (both cons of Jewish immigrants), and first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938. It was conspicuously around the rise of the Third Reich which explains some subject matter. The echoes of this era in current times are eerily evident in Gunn’s film.

James Gunn & Superman (David Corenswet) Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Cracking The Superman Code

With so much Superman backstory to honor, Gunn faced the challenging task of deciding on his approach. “It all crystallized in the first few pages. The breakthrough came when I envisioned Superman beaten down in the Arctic. Seeing Krypto, who’s this little rascal trying to play with him—albeit sometimes hurting him—was pivotal.”

Gunn spent years getting to this point – a story about a man and his dog “with behavioral problems.” This led to reimagining Superman’s Fortress of Solitude – ironically staffed by emotionless robots – each given a number, except for Gary (Alan Tyduk).

Superman has traditionally been treated as an agent of good battling evil. In this version, he has an identity crisis when a reconstructed recording from his parents indicates their more sinister intentions for him on Earth. His foster parents, Ma (Neva Howell) and Pa Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince) – both Kansas farmers – indicate that Clarke’s life purpose is based on his personal choices and actions.

Aside from the occasional poignant moments in Superman, Gunn’s film is pumped with “joy and vibrancy.” Gunn wanted to avoid the “dark and dreary sci-fi films of the last 25 years.”

“Superman represents pure goodness; he embodies the best of humanity. But being purely good doesn’t mean he always navigates the world correctly,” Gunn explains.

Despite being a Metahuman, Superman is very much human too. He’s vulnerable, gets scared, and messes up – big time. He has feelings he needs to understand and process.

Superman is super, but not invincible. He can take down an AI monster with astonishing ease, but kryptonite weakens him.

Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Superman (David Corenswet) Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Then Gunn read Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman. “It resonated deeply with me. It showcased Superman’s power as part of his appeal, emphasizing his good nature and the idea that he was always trying to do the right thing. This version of Superman—pure and optimistic—became the foundation for the character in our movie.  I’ve made Superman less powerful, focusing more on his heart and moral compass rather than sheer strength,“ adds Gunn.

Previous adaptations of Superman focused on his ability to lift buildings with one hand or smash meteorites with a single punch before they crashed into Earth. He also fought formidable foes like Lex Luthor (now played by Nicholas Hoult).

“I want to emphasize the human experience behind the superhuman in this movie. We want to explore what it means to be a hero in today’s world, where goodness can often be seen as naive or simplistic. The narrative will delve into Superman’s struggles to maintain his ideals and virtues amid a world filled with complexities and moral ambiguities,” Gunn adds.

In some respects, this is a return of Superman to his roots, where he balances his heroism with moral resolve and a sense of duty.

Despite Superman’s dubious taste in music (punk rock on the radio is no longer rebellious) and meal-swap cuisine, he serves as a beacon of light in an oftentimes bleak world.

Gunn grappled with the “weight of Superman’s legacy” in his work. He had to respect his rich and complex history, but also refresh the character – even into pop culture.

“I want to honor what has come before without getting trapped in it. Finding that balance can be daunting but incredibly rewarding,“ Gunn confesses. He wants to celebrate the many facets of the character and inspire hope. “Superman is more than a superhero; he’s an ideal.”

Hit Refresh

While the original comic book was a product of its time, so is this movie. Gunn explores current issues of immigration, being stripped of citizen rights like due process, imprisoned in a foreign place, corporate invasion, communities being displaced, and being othered. Superman 2025 achieves with a mighty wallop garnished with a cheeky smile.

“It’s about finding that balance between his hopefulness and the challenges we face,“ Gunn mentions.

Superman is timeless. His core traits and legacy remain unchanged, but his narrative has evolved to reflect modern times. Gunn hopes that his film will inspire audiences to see elements of Superman in themselves so they stand up for what they believe in.

Gunn concludes, “I want audiences to walk away feeling empowered. They should remember that they, too, can contribute to making the world a better place. Superman is not just a character; he’s a symbol for all of us.”

Gunn’s vision for this Superman film aims to blend tradition with innovation, offering a fresh take on the character that speaks to contemporary issues while celebrating the timeless ideals that have made Superman a beloved symbol for generations.

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by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.