45 years ago, Superman: The Movie made me believe that a man could take flight. Today, James Gunn’s reimagining of Superman is encouraging us to dream we can soar once more. Back in 1978, when the American spirit was grappling with the aftermath of the ’70s recession, stagflation, energy crises, and international tension, Superman, under the visionary direction of Richard Donner and portrayed by Christopher Reeve as the Steel Man, graced our screens. On a particularly symbolic day, December 15, 1978 – the same day Cleveland, Ohio, the home planet of the Last Son of Krypton, was declared the first major U.S. city to default since the Great Depression – Superman took off in movie theaters.
As a film enthusiast, I found some striking parallels between the original Superman and the new one. Back in the ’70s, the world was grappling with significant upheaval, and Superman served as a beacon of hope and joy amidst the chaos. I believe that sentiment isn’t dissimilar to what we’re experiencing today.
Similar to how Reeve’s Superman presented himself as a friendly figure when saving Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane, Gunn characterizes his Superman (portrayed by David Corenswet) as an openly compassionate hero, embodying the essence of Truth, Justice, and the spirit of humanity.
Occasionally, folks might view Superman as outdated or overly optimistic, but I’d agree with them. He embodies those traditional ideals of compassion, protecting humanity, and treating others well – traits that are often ridiculed today, much like they were in the ’70s. However, this makes him countercultural because he goes against the current norms.
He expressed his viewpoint by saying, “I believe expressing ‘kindness’ and ‘goodness,’ which are synonymous with love, is superior to ‘hope,’ since hope refers specifically to expectations about the future. However, hope does contain an element of optimism, but I strongly feel it’s more about Superman being compassionate, especially considering many people aren’t.
Inquired about the intended impact of the movie “Superman“, Gunn expressed, “I aim for audiences to experience that special sensation – the one I’m sure many can relate to, the enchantment you get from a great film. The uplifted spirit, the increased affection for the person sitting next to you, whether it’s your friend or family member. So, that’s what I desire. I want people to leave the theater feeling just a little more connected and joyful than when they walked in.
According to the earliest reactions to Gunn’s Superman, you’ll believe you can fly.
The upcoming movie titled “DC Studios’ Superman” featuring David Corenswet portraying both Clark Kent and Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/the Engineer, Wendell Pierce as Perry White of The Daily Planet, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., is set to premiere exclusively in theaters on July 11.
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2025-07-08 21:10