James Gunn’s Superman Broke This Longtime DC Tradition (For the Better)

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When a new Superman movie comes out, audiences expect a few things: to see him fly, play the role of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, battle a powerful enemy, have a romance with Lois Lane, and ultimately, give us a sense of hope. Many DC fans believe the latest film, directed by James Gunn, delivered all of that and more. However, Gunn’s *Superman* did something different – it broke with a tradition that started with the very first Superman movie. But in doing so, it modernized the character’s story for today’s audiences without sacrificing the exciting action and visuals we expect from the Man of Steel.

Despite Superman’s heroic efforts to save the world and close a dangerous dimensional tear created by Lex Luthor, he doesn’t directly rescue Lois Lane. Instead, she takes the initiative, working with Mister Terrific to free Superman from a Kryptonite-filled trap and bringing him home to recover. During the final battle, Lois also bravely protects her coworkers by getting them to safety on Mr. Terrific’s ship as the rift threatens to destroy Metropolis.

Lois’s Independence Doesn’t Sacrifice Her Chemistry with Superman

Lois Lane burst onto the scene in 1938 with her debut in *Action Comics #1* as a determined, career-focused journalist. At a time when women often needed a man’s signature to open a credit card, Lois was notably working in the newsroom at *The Daily Planet*, not stuck in the kitchen. Despite being ahead of her time, she often found herself needing rescue in Superman’s stories. While she frequently put herself in danger while chasing a story, Superman was still the one who saved her, and those rescues formed the foundation of their romantic relationship in both comics and movies. Interestingly, Lois remains completely unimpressed with Clark Kent, even as she falls for the heroic Superman.

The new *Superman* movie truly shines thanks to James Gunn’s skillful writing, directing, and choice of actors. Even though Superman doesn’t rescue Lois in the film, their connection and the romantic tension between them remain strong. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan have fantastic chemistry, and their final kiss is both beautiful to watch and feels like a fitting end to their story arc. A particularly memorable scene involves Lois fearlessly interviewing Superman, pushing him to reveal his vulnerabilities and leading to a heated argument. This shows how well-suited they are for each other – Lois isn’t intimidated by him, which adds a realistic and compelling layer to their relationship. This makes their eventual reconciliation and her heartfelt confession of love even more rewarding.

By Not Needing to Be Rescued, Lois Becomes a New Type of Hero

It’s perfectly okay to ask for or need help – as even Superman recognizes, sometimes delegating tasks is necessary, like when he sends the Justice League to handle a conflict while he deals with a bigger threat. But Lois Lane proves she’s a hero in her own right by being capable, saving people, and uncovering Luthor’s schemes without needing Superman’s rescue. Superman represents an ideal we all admire, a standard of perfection. Lois, however, is relatable. Her strong moral compass, combined with her personal struggles, makes her a hero we can connect with on a deeper level.

Lois Lane has occasionally had superpowers in the comics, similar to Superman. However, what makes her truly inspiring is everything she achieves as a regular person – someone we can all relate to and aspire to be like, no matter who we are. While we wait for the next *Superman* movie, *Man of Tomorrow*, we’re hoping to see Superman and Lois officially team up as superheroes, building on the way Lois helped him in the first film. They’ve already shown us they’re an incredible team, both as partners and as heroes within the DC Universe.

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2025-09-25 19:13