James Gunn Confirms His Superman Will Be Different From Zack Snyder’s in One Major Way

As a film enthusiast with decades of comic book-inspired cinema under my belt, I must say that James Gunn‘s vision for the DC Universe is nothing short of refreshing. Having witnessed the dark and edgy interpretations of these beloved characters, it’s heartening to see a director who understands their inherent potential for hope and inspiration.

Although DC Studios hasn’t revealed much about the 2025 Superman movie, director James Gunn has already made it clear that his interpretation of Superman will differ significantly from the dark and gritty portrayals in the Zack Snyder era. Instead, this version of the Man of Steel is intended to be more family-friendly, embodying a genuine representation of hope.

Speaking exclusively with MovieZine (via CBM), I, James, delved into my ambitious DC Universe vision. Unlike traditional film franchises, I won’t be tying the various movies and series to a single tone. Instead, I aim to tap into the rich history of DC Comics to create a diverse array of narratives. In my own words, “What I adore about DC Comics is their ability to tell different stories in unique ways. They’ve crafted tales that are family-friendly, mature, dark, and light.

Regarding James Gunn and his role with DC Studios, it’s clear that his approach to Superman is a shift from what he was previously doing. Before becoming co-head, Gunn was known for R-rated, action-comedy series such as The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker within the DC universe. His upcoming project, Creature Commandos, continues in this vein. This led to some apprehension about Gunn’s involvement with Superman. However, Gunn has clarified that Superman is a distinct character. He stated, “We have something quite serious like Superman and then something more comedic like Peacemaker within the same universe. Something very mature like Peacemaker and something more family-friendly like Superman.

James Gunn Is Taking Distance from Marvel and Zack Snyder

By underlining how Superman is a family-friendly movie, Gunn has buried once and for all the influence Snyder’s DCEU could have on the current cinematic universe. Snyder aimed to present a mature and dark version of DC characters. While this approach has its merit, it also loses much of what makes DC superheroes so compelling. They are, above all, shining beacons of justice in a world filled with danger. So, presenting icons such as Superman and Batman as conflicted men who spread death and destruction is a drastic departure from DC Comics tradition.

In a family-oriented take on Superman, Gunn aims to make the Man of Steel an icon for fans across all age groups, much like he was in earlier years. What sets Gunn’s approach apart is his skillful avoidance of pitfalls similar to those Marvel Studios encountered with the MCU. For example, unlike announcing a comprehensive release schedule before production starts on films and TV shows, Gunn emphasizes a gradual process of approving projects once scripts are finalized.

Furthermore, the DC Universe plans to break away from the formulaic style used by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, allowing each production to develop its unique tone for effective storytelling. This shift in approach is prompting James Gunn to reconsider his filmmaking techniques to accommodate a wider range of projects. In his own words, “The excitement lies in telling different kinds of stories. I’ve grown tired of seeing similar narratives repeated. I’m aiming to step beyond that boundary. We at DC are striving to step beyond that.

Superman will be released exclusively in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Read More

• The Lowdown on Labubu: What to Know About the Viral Toy

• Street Fighter 6 Game-Key Card on Switch 2 is Considered to be a Digital Copy by Capcom

• We Loved Both of These Classic Sci-Fi Films (But They’re Pretty Much the Same Movie)

• Masters Toronto 2025: Everything You Need to Know

• Mario Kart World Sold More Than 780,000 Physical Copies in Japan in First Three Days

• ‘The budget card to beat right now’ — Radeon RX 9060 XT reviews are in, and it looks like a win for AMD

• Karate Kid: Legends Hits Important Global Box Office Milestone, Showing Promise Despite 59% RT Score

• Valorant Champions 2025: Paris Set to Host Esports’ Premier Event Across Two Iconic Venues

• Microsoft Has Essentially Cancelled Development of its Own Xbox Handheld – Rumour

• There is no Forza Horizon 6 this year, but Phil Spencer did tease it for the Xbox 25th anniversary in 2026

2024-11-27 17:11