James Gunn’s Superman: A Symbol Of Hope And Faith For Nearly 50 Years

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Even now, three months later, hearing the song “Punkrocker” by Teddybears and Iggy Pop instantly takes me back to the feeling of walking out of the theater after seeing Superman. That’s how I picture audiences felt in 1978 when Christopher Reeve made them believe a man could fly. It was the ideal action movie for kids, and still holds up beautifully.

Almost fifty years have passed between these two films, and both showcase Superman as a beacon of hope. While other live-action Superman movies have been made in that time, the 2025 film truly captures the core of what the character stands for.

Each Superman film reflects the unique vision of its writers and director, often leading to fresh takes on the character. While some live-action Superman movies have differed considerably from the original comics, that doesn’t necessarily make them bad. James Gunn’s film stands out from even the 1978 classic thanks to a particular detail.

Superman Inspires Other Characters To Do Better

While the movie is called Superman, it’s really a team story disguised as a solo adventure. Though Superman is the main character, a lot of other people play important parts. We meet characters like Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl – who form a group called the Justice Gang – along with familiar faces like Jimmy Olsen, Eve Tessmacher, Metamorpho, and, of course, Lex Luthor and Lois Lane.

The personal journeys of most of the characters are important to the film, with everyone—except for the villains like Lex in Superman (2025)—facing difficult decisions. They strive to improve themselves, motivated by Superman’s unwavering commitment to helping others. For example, even Guy Gardner, who initially claims he won’t get involved in political matters, ultimately steps in to aid the citizens of Jahranpur.

Like Superman, Metamorpho also chooses to overcome his own problems, even though Lex Luthor is manipulating him. He assists Superman in escaping from a strange, contained world created by Lex, along with Superman’s son. This rescue wouldn’t have been possible without Lois Lane, who bravely followed Superman, even venturing into the dangerous dimension herself, driven by her personal connection to him.

Malik, the falafel stand owner, is the only character who dies in the movie. He bravely runs to help Superman after being dropped from the sky, even though he has no special powers and isn’t connected to the main conflict. He’s motivated to help simply because he once saw Superman show kindness to someone else.

Eve Tessmacher’s Arc Demonstrates The Role Of Faith In Superman

In the movie Superman, even the supporting characters face difficult decisions. Eve’s choice to reveal Lex’s crimes by sending photos to Jimmy Olsen was particularly brave. While it might seem understandable after enduring Lex’s emotional abuse and a physical attack, it was a risky move considering his violent and unpredictable nature.

Eve isn’t just trying to get revenge on Lex after he hurt her. Sending that message, even while being pulled away, shows she’s hopeful. She truly believes her plan will work – that Lex will go to jail and she and Jimmy will build a life together.

The movie Superman is fundamentally about belief and hope. This isn’t limited to those directly affected by Superman; even other characters act based on their faith in something better. The script, by James Gunn, beautifully illustrates this with a hopeful moment at the end: Eve, rescued from her imprisonment, joyfully runs to meet Jimmy, her wishes fulfilled.

Clark’s Own Story In Superman Is About Having Faith

Even Superman sometimes questions his purpose. While he inspires hope in others, he also relies on his own beliefs. He was deeply influenced by the words of his adoptive parents, who encouraged him to use his powers to help people as best he could. Those words ultimately shaped him into the hero he is.

James Gunn is updating Superman’s origin story by revealing a new reason why his Kryptonian father sent him to Earth. This change lets Gunn explore themes of faith, as Superman is forced to question his beliefs and ultimately learn to trust in himself, just like everyone else does.

Superman’s adoptive father points out that who we become isn’t just shaped by our parents – those who raise us and those related to us both play a role. Superman needs to understand he’s been making good decisions, even when the guidance he follows seems to suggest otherwise. Ultimately, this realization helps him trust in his own goodness and ability to do what’s right.

Superman Is Supposed To Be A Symbol Of Hope

Over the years, Superman has been portrayed in many different ways, with some versions adding new elements not found in the original comics. However, both the 1978 Superman film starring Christopher Reeve and the new movie with David Corenswet uniquely emphasize how Superman inspires hope and faith in the people around him.

James Gunn’s Superman movie feels like a return to the roots of the DC universe, echoing the very first appearance of the character in Action Comics #1. Created in the 1930s by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel – both sons of Jewish immigrants – Superman was born out of their distress over the persecution happening in Europe and their desire to champion those who needed help.

From the beginning, the character was designed to represent hope, inspiring people to believe in a brighter future. That’s why the supporting characters in Superman (2025) are so crucial. Through their individual journeys, James Gunn shows us how Superman impacts those around him and why his story remains relevant now.

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2025-10-25 22:01