Movies

Why Are Fans So Divided Over James Gunn’s Exciting New Superman Movie?

BBG News

The upcoming movie featuring Superman is expected to be one of the blockbusters this summer. Following the successful strategy used for Barbie’s marketing, Warner Bros. is preparing an intense promotional blitz that started on Superman Day in April with a series of comics titled “The Summer of Superman,” and most recently, a fresh theatrical trailer. It has been 12 years since the solo Superman movie, Man of Steel, hit cinemas, and now, after spending some time in the shadows, Superman is back in the limelight. There’s a palpable sense of anticipation as fans eagerly await the beginning of a new shared universe and the modern adaptation of a timeless character for a fresh audience.

With each new sneak peek or snapshot, a certain group of fans seems overly eager to find fault with every detail. While it’s perfectly fine to analyze a film critically and maintain a level of skepticism to manage expectations, the way some people discuss Superman goes beyond constructive criticism. Their obsession appears pedantic and somewhat strange, given their professed dislike for the character. It seems as though they hope that by spreading enough negativity, Superman will flop, and Warner Bros. will miraculously reintroduce a past version. However, despite what some “fans” might suggest, Superman still looks promising.

A Superman Movie That Is Like the Comics

One striking aspect of Superman is that James Gunn aims to create a movie reminiscent of a Superman comic book. Although Superman has starred in seven solo films and two DCEU crossover movies, no live-action project has managed to convey the vibrant atmosphere of DC Comics. Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie prioritized realism, or making things appear true, which made Superman the most extraordinary element. To make “you will believe a man can fly,” they set Superman in a world resembling our own.

As a movie enthusiast and a devoted Superman fan, I’ve noticed that each iteration of the Superman films has its distinct take on Metropolis. In the original Superman movies, it was clearly modern-day New York City. Although Superman Returns featured an art deco design, it still belonged to the same universe as the first two Superman films and presented a more relatable world.

Man of Steel chose to follow in the footsteps of Batman Begins, aiming to root Superman firmly in a realistic world, emphasizing the more hard sci-fi aspects of his alien background. Up until now, none of the Superman movies have truly captured the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of the DC Comics universe, particularly those iconic images that Superman fans have grown to love on screen. However, it seems like this is about to change…

The trailer for Superman showcases him battling a colossal monster, reminiscent of the Silver Age Superman tales. Packed with cameos from various DC characters spanning the company’s timeline, such as Krypto, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Metamorpho, Guy Gardner, and The Engineer, Superman seems like a realistic universe that mirrors flipping through a random DC Comic. The costumes in the movie are bright and vivid, much like comic art, and it doesn’t resemble films like Dick Tracy or Speed Racer, but it stands out distinctly in the superhero film genre, shaped by Donner’s authenticity, which has influenced directors like Christopher Nolan, Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige.

It’s possible that some people respond negatively to Superman due to his portrayal in the film not aligning with the darker, post-1980s DC Comics material often considered most significant, such as “The Dark Knight Returns,” “The Killing Joke,” and “Watchmen.” Instead, James Gunn’s DCU draws inspiration from the Silver Age, with elements from brighter and more optimistic works like “Justice League International” and “All-Star Superman.” Although Marvel Studios has acclimated audiences to comic book elements that seem outlandish, the DC Universe represents a distinctly different flavor of fantasy that may take some time for viewers to adjust to. After numerous realistic Superman movies, it’s refreshing to see one that embraces the whimsical aspects that have kept him popular over the years.

A Superman Movie That Has Something To Say

In the trailer, we see that Superman is portrayed as a beacon of hope amidst a skeptical world, much like in previous films such as “Superman: The Movie,” “Superman Returns,” and “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” However, unlike these past depictions, this new take on the character will explore the consequences of his actions, particularly when he intervenes in a war and seemingly violates international law. This fresh interpretation seems to question Superman’s old motto of “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” and instead focuses on his revised slogan: “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.

Similar to how 1978’s Superman: The Movie emerged amidst the unrest of American history with scandals like Watergate, the Vietnam War, and rising oil prices, James Gunn’s Superman arrives in a turbulent era of America. In 2025, citizens wake up to stories of ICE agents conducting raids, erosion of fundamental civil liberties, economic turmoil due to trade wars, and ongoing conflicts in Palestine resulting in the death of countless innocent civilians and children. Superman may not solve real-world problems like a movie character, but he can serve as a reminder that there is goodness in the world and inspire people to do good. Despite appearing as a light-hearted summer action film, Superman is indeed timely and relevant.

The Unjustified ‘Superman’ “Backlash”

For each fresh trailer or snapshot featuring the upcoming movie titled “Superman“, some viewers show intense opposition to it. They scrutinize every scene for potential flaws in visual effects (which appear impressive), and any interview conducted by director James Gunn or the cast is perceived as a controversy. A significant portion of the negative response towards Superman stems from fans who were deeply invested in Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill’s portrayal of the character. These fans found meaning in that version, but despite the fact that both Cavill and Snyder have moved on, it appears that the fanbase that identified with the darker aspects of the DCEU is not only resistant to Gunn’s interpretation of Superman, but have seemingly built their online personas around criticizing any new Superman promotional content, including a seemingly innocuous Milkbone commercial for dog treats.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that, while this segment of the audience seems loud, they do not comprise the majority of moviegoers. They give the impression of representing a larger portion of the general public, but data from streaming platforms like those used for Zack Snyder’s Justice League reveals they are merely a minority group that needs to be convinced. Although fans play a significant role in the success of comic book movies, they aren’t everything. The DCEU fanbase is just a slice of the audience that Superman is trying to reach. There’s equal excitement for Superman among fans, as both positive and negative reactions to the trailers are equally prevalent. Negative comments tend to attract more attention.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve witnessed time and again how fan communities can initially react with skepticism or even hostility towards casting choices. Take, for instance, Michael Keaton as Batman, Heath Ledger as the Joker, or Daniel Craig as James Bond – all roles where fans showed strong disapproval of the selection at first, but eventually embraced these actors wholeheartedly once they saw their performances on screen.

It might seem preposterous now, but in 2005, some fans were enraged about a blonde James Bond. However, fast forward to today, and it’s challenging to find anyone who doesn’t appreciate Daniel Craig in the role of 007. Yet, if you ask around, few would admit to being against the casting decision at first – many, like me, were initially wrong about our reservations.

One major adjustment Superman enthusiasts might need to make is accepting a new perspective, even if it contrasts with the viewpoint of die-hard Snyder fans. It’s likely that, despite the quality of the film, some dedicated fans may refuse to acknowledge its merits. This resistance could stem from genuine dislike, as everyone has the freedom to like or dislike anything without being considered incorrect. However, part of this reluctance might also be due to the internet’s influence, which makes it challenging for people to change their minds or admit mistakes, as their past statements are permanently recorded online. As a result, some individuals may cling stubbornly to their original views rather than face the possibility of being wrong.

This upcoming Superman movie promises an exhilarating experience at the cinema, potentially fulfilling a lifelong dream for many fans. While there might be some skeptics vocalizing their dislike before even watching it, let’s not let their opinions dampen our enthusiasm. After all, this film is meant to be enjoyable! So, get ready for Superman, as it takes flight into theaters on July 11, 2025.

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2025-05-24 23:02

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