Movies

5 Reasons James Gunn’s Superman Outshines Zack Snyder’s Darker Take

BBG News

This year, DC Studios is giving Superman a fresh start under director James Gunn, aiming to surpass Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel”. In 2013, Snyder kicked off the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) with his standalone Superman film. Now, Gunn plans to initiate the DCU (DC Universe) with “Superman”, marking a new beginning for these iconic characters.

Instead of sticking with Henry Cavill as Superman and Amy Adams as Lois Lane, the DCU reboot has chosen to move towards fresh, youthful portrayals featuring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in their roles.

This change has left many fans feeling a sense of sadness.

Superman Might Be Better Than Man of Steel in 5 Major Ways

James Gunn’s Hopeful & Lighter Tone

In the realm of DC Comics, Superman stands out for his brilliance, vividness, optimism, and role as a beacon of hope that encourages everyone amidst a world riddled with conflict, fatality, fear, and extra-terrestrial perils.

Instead of the somber tone and serious expression portrayed by Henry Cavill in “Man of Steel”, James Gunn’s approach to Superman will be more cheerful. This is evident in the various trailers for the film, which feature bright scenes, colorful costumes, and an overall atmosphere of joy and optimism surrounding the movie and its characters.

Actress Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, has hinted that the upcoming Superman will showcase a “humorous” side, suggesting he should incorporate the character’s wit and joviality while safeguarding Earth’s inhabitants.

Given Gunn’s reputation for his unique brand of humor in Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker, there have been apprehensions that he might push the comedic elements too much. A recent test screening hinted at potential concerns about Superman’s comedy, suggesting it will have “a lot of jokes.

A Comic Book Come to Life

Before David Corenswet’s official unveiling of the Superman costume, fans passionately discussed whether James Gunn would or should incorporate the famous red briefs. The conspicuous external undergarments have typically been omitted in live-action adaptations, but the new Superman will closely follow the comics with a vivid suit that looks like it jumped off the page.

In the lively atmosphere reminiscent of a comic book, the essence permeates throughout “Superman”, with each hero donning their iconic outfits, no matter how unusual they might seem.

Regarding their hairstyles, David Corenswet will sport the iconic hair flip akin to Superman, Nicholas Hoult is embodying the well-known bald head for Lex Luthor, and Nathan Fillion might regret not receiving the same treatment as his Green Lantern (Guy Gardner) sports one of the most poorly trimmed heads, straight from the comics.

The visual style of Metropolis and the Daily Planet seems like it was pulled directly from DC Comics pages. In contrast to the drab, boxy Daily Planet depicted in Man of Steel, Superman will adopt the futuristic, otherworldly designs of the blue brand, with a gleaming, golden sphere protruding from the Daily Planet and standing out against the vibrant Metropolis skyline.

Jimmy Olsen and the Daily Planet

In Superman, not only does the Daily Planet building look more faithful to the comics compared to Man of Steel, but also the team of well-known reporters is portrayed more accurately too.

In the official lineup, Superman will be joined by at least seven members of the Daily Planet team. This move aims to delve more into Clark Kent’s work life. Among them are Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce portraying Perry White, and several lesser-known characters from DC Comics.

  • Perry White – Wendell Pierce
  • Clark Kent – David Corenswet
  • Lois Lane – Rachel Brosnahan
  • Jimmy Olsen – Skyler Gisondo
  • Cat Grant – Mikaela Hoover
  • Ron Troupe – Christopher McDonald
  • Steve Lombard – Beck Bennett

Read more about Mikaela Hoover’s role as Cat Grant at Superman‘s Daily Planet.

Readers of Superman comics know quite well that Jimmy Olsen, who is both a photographer and Clark Kent’s closest friend, holds nearly the same significance in his life as Lois Lane does.

Regrettably, the friendship between Jimmy Olsen and other characters didn’t play out in the SnyderVerse. Instead, in the movie Batman v Superman, he was portrayed as a CIA agent probing into Nairomian warlord Amajagh. Tragically, his true identity was exposed, leading to his execution soon after.

It would be great if Gisondo’s character, Jimmy Olsen, manages to make it through his first appearance in Superman. This would pave the way for a deeper examination of their relationship in potential future installments.

Superman Isn’t an Origin Story

In simpler terms, although the DC Universe might hint at Clark Kent’s past as Superman and early life on Earth through conversations, James Gunn has clarified that Superman is not a retelling of his origin because “we’ve already seen his origin story enough in films.” Unlike Man of Steel, which focused extensively on the transformation of the extraterrestrial who landed on Earth into its guardian.

Similar to Batman and Spider-Man, the story of Kal-El coming to Earth, being raised by the Kents, and transforming into Superman is widely recognized. Since superhero movie adaptations typically don’t extend beyond a trilogy, it seems unnecessary to dedicate one of those precious films to a tale that fans are already familiar with.

Jumping straight into the well-known character of Superman, even though this version is relatively new and still developing his career, allows Gunn to begin narrating the story he intends to tell right away.

In the forthcoming novel “Welcome to Metropolis,” which serves as a prequel to the “Superman” series, DC Studios won’t be delving into the origin story of their Man of Steel. However, hints about Superman’s origins and past might be subtly suggested through dialogue or subtle references instead.

Joining an Established DC Universe

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I realized after watching Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman in “Man of Steel” that I wasn’t privy to all the heroes or divine beings roaming around on the Earth of the DCEU. On the other hand, David Corenswet’s Superman is set to jump right into the deep end by joining forces with established heroes, villains, and anti-heroes in the DCU’s inaugural film, making a splash in the DC brand’s rich history!

In this revised scenario, Superman will be joined by four new members of the Justice League (Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, Mr. Terrific, and a Green Lantern), as well as Rick Flag Sr. from the Creature Commandos and an individual known as The Engineer who is part of The Authority.

By including characters from various DC universes, along with Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, the Daily Planet, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Superdog (Superman’s pet), creates an impression that a broader universe is in play.

In a singularly distinctive role, both “Man of Steel” and “Superman” not only debut their primary superhero but also laid the foundation for the DC Extended Universe. Since “Superman” essentially centers around the titular character, it sets the DCU up for a more robust start in comparison to upcoming productions.

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2025-05-11 09:11

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