Will James Gunn’s Superman Live Up to Man of Steel?

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James Gunn’s version of Superman is set to hit cinemas globally this summer. Even though it’s the main attraction for Gunn’s new DC Universe, there are good reasons to believe it won’t soar as high as Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. In late 2022, Gunn joined Warner Bros. Discovery’s newly created DC Studios as co-CEO alongside Peter Safran, with the new DC Universe being a successor to the DCEU. Although there are some unclear connections between the two (which will be clarified in season 2 of Gunn’s streaming series Peacemaker), Superman is planned for a completely fresh big-screen journey. The first teaser trailer and promotional materials for Superman look enticing, but the legacy of the DCEU continues to cast a long shadow on the emerging DCU, particularly over Man of Steel from 2013.

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Dawn of Justice” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” have had on superhero movies, especially in regards to DC films. This lasting effect could make it difficult for future Superman films to meet the high standards set by the 12-year journey of “Man of Steel.

Man Of Steel Left An Impact On Superhero Movies That Is Still Felt To This Day

Every adaptation of Superman has left a distinct mark in the superhero film and TV genre, but Man of Steel stands out uniquely. Developed following the success of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel is the first Superman movie to build upon the “man” aspect as its base, with the “super” and “steel” elements becoming significantly more robust because of it. From a pure entertainment perspective, the intense action sequences in Man of Steel will set a high bar for future Superman films (and those of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League as well). Unlike other interpretations, this film delves deeply into the concept of Superman as an outsider struggling with his powers’ influence and his very presence on Earth. Man of Steel presents the first big-screen story that fully explores this idea.

The movie Man of Steel has sparked much controversy, suggesting that it raises significant questions about how society would cope with a figure like Kal-El (Superman) and his immense power. This is evident in the ongoing discussions about the film’s violent action sequences and Henry Cavill’s Superman killing General Zod (Michael Shannon), an act he performed to save innocent lives. In essence, Man of Steel tackles questions that have long been debated in Superman comic books, where Superman has occasionally resorted to lethal force. Interestingly, the storyline of Man of Steel closely mirrors the first volume of Superman: Earth One. This film is unique because it delves into these complex themes on a broad, mainstream level, demonstrating its lasting influence.

Beyond doubt, the conclusion of Man of Steel where the world remains divided over Superman’s presence is significant in both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It’s not just a matter of one movie leading to its sequels, but rather, they function as separate chapters in a larger saga that intertwines with each other. The plotline of Zack Snyder’s planned Justice League sequels, which ultimately involve Superman guiding humanity to defeat Darkseid (Ray Porter) and establishing a new era of peace under his leadership, positions Man of Steel as both an independent Superman origin story and the modest start for Superman’s transformation from a wandering outsider to a visitor who ultimately assists the world in achieving great feats. The passage of time since the release of Man of Steel feels minimal, owing to its seamless blending of grandiosity with humble beginnings in the Superman origin story, which even its harshest critics seem to remember as if it had been released only yesterday.

A Lot Of Superman‘s Plot Looks Like Batman v Superman-Lite (With Some Jarring Secondary Elements)

In James Gunn’s version of Superman, the storyline is still vague, but the marketing suggests that it will cover similar territories as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman did. The character portrayed by David Corenswet, much like Zack Snyder’s Superman, encounters widespread scorn and mistrust from Earth’s inhabitants, and appears to be grappling with these issues during a particularly challenging phase in his superhero career. So far, the marketing materials show Corenswet’s Superman enduring significant physical and emotional hardship, without a hint of a smile, which could indicate a more somber and melancholic performance compared to Henry Cavill’s Superman, who was often criticized for being too gloomy by his detractors.

Gunn’s decision to tackle themes of heroism and loneliness in his Superman movie might not work well due to its contrast with other elements such as Krypto’s energy, the accurate portrayal of Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, and the film’s use of humor. For instance, a scene where Superman thanks his robots for medical help and one robot replies that they don’t have consciousness, only serve, could raise concerns that this Superman and the DC Universe will just be a carbon copy of the Marvel Universe’s formula. If Gunn aimed to dispel doubts about the film being a straight replica of the MCU’s style with “action followed by joke,” this was not the right choice, as it resembles Marvel’s tendency for jokes in serious moments, which can sometimes become overbearing and disruptive, as seen in some recent releases.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase my statement as follows: Incorporating additional heroes like Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific in Superman, much like how James Gunn’s DCU expands with a bustling metahuman population, reminds me of the approach taken in Batman v Superman with Wonder Woman’s role and the brief appearances of the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg. Critics at the time argued that these character additions felt contrived and lacked proper build-up. However, upon considering the film’s narrative in conjunction with Man of Steel, Wonder Woman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, it becomes clear that this is not the case. Instead, the movie presents a parallel to Superman where other metahumans are inspired by his example to emerge from hiding, which was previously perceived as a rush towards an Avengers-style payoff in Justice League. This approach, similar to that seen in other superhero ensemble movies like the X-Men franchise and even James Gunn’s own Guardians of the Galaxy films, demonstrates that not every team movie necessitates a series of solo movies for setup.

In another way of saying it, the blending of various superheroes alongside the similarities drawn from Batman v Superman seems to suggest that perhaps the earlier films like Man of Steel and Batman v Superman were misjudged. They weren’t just lacking in Marvel-esque humor or vibrant flair; instead, they had a deliberate somber tone that was essential to guide viewers towards a brighter future for Superman. It appears as though the upcoming Superman might struggle if it tries too hard to fit into a mold that’s more suited for jokes, flashiness, and fun, given its narrative about Superman grappling with his own purpose amidst finding his place in the world.

Superman Could Be Great, But Man Of Steel Is A High Bar To Meet (Especially With How Misunderstood It Initially Was)

In simpler terms, it’s important to clarify that the points made above don’t imply that James Gunn’s Superman is already decided by the jury. Instead, it’s suggesting that both Superman and the DCU might be facing a predicament similar to Warner Bros.’ with DC movies since the 2017 Justice League re-shoots. This predicament is rooted in a superficial understanding of the criticism faced by previous films, often assuming “serious and dark = bad, lighthearted and funny = good.” However, this assumption stems from the influence of Snyder’s DCEU movies, which are often misunderstood as lacking humor. The issue is that Warner Bros. and Superman’s critics have been unable to see the bigger picture.

The premiere of Zack Snyder’s Justice League led many previous critics of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman to reconsider their stance towards these films. The resurrection of Superman presented him as the optimistic hero that fans had long hoped for, revealing his character development as a result of struggles, self-doubt, death, and rebirth. This further validates the notion that humor and vibrant elements are not necessarily essential to superhero storytelling, but may even hinder attempts to explore complex themes, such as the existential struggle portrayed in Justice League (2017). James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film appears to be attempting a balance between contrasting views, addressing concerns about excessive darkness in superhero movies while also exploring the idea that not everyone on Earth would welcome Superman’s presence. This new Superman may find a compromise for fans of both sides – those who prefer a darker, grittier approach and those who enjoy lighter, humorous takes – but it could potentially create a film that is internally conflicted, trying too hard to please everyone. In contrast, Man of Steel stood firm in its Superman origin story and has gained more appreciation over time from even its most critical viewers.

James Gunn’s Superman film could potentially be a fantastic Superman movie. Will it surpass the greatness that Man of Steel achieved? If it fails to establish a clear identity like its 2013 counterpart, it may struggle to match the standard set by Man of Steel in 2025’s Superman.

You can find the movies “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” available for streaming on Max platform. On the other hand, James Gunn’s new take on Superman will make its theater debut on July 11th.

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2025-05-03 16:14