James Gunn’s Superman Movie Looks Good, But Super Risky

When Christopher Reeves first suited up to take flight as the Man of Steel in 1978, a cell phone was the size of a brick, the internet was not yet released to the public, and a live-action Superman was last seen in 1958.

Compared to today’s media barrage, it’s hard to believe that 20 years passed without a live-action depiction of Big Blue. Interestingly, the idea of making a Superman movie was considered super risky because it was the first of its kind. If it flopped, we may have never seen another superhero movie again.

Much like Richard Donner, James Gunn has to be feeling immense pressure to make a successful Superman movie. Maybe even more so – due to the reactions to Man of Steel (2013), and the Snyder-verse. Based on the teaser trailer, Gunn’s Superman movie looks good, but will it be too risky?

BLOATED WITH CHARACTERS

I am worried that the movie will be bloated with characters detracting from the movie being about its central protagonist. I appreciate that we aren’t getting another re-telling of the origin story, and that Superman is an established character in this new DCU. However, I’m not sure that I’m ready to be introduced to multiple superheroes in the same world.

Gunn has a track record of being able to juggle multiple characters and stories that involve team-ups, which is encouraging. Maybe my concern of too many characters is unwarranted based on who’s in the director’s chair. Then again, there is only so much screen time. Will enough be given to what matters? Also, will the average moviegoer or younger fan have the patience for obscure characters like Guy Gardner and Hawk Girl?

I want to see a Clark Kent/Superman movie, not a DCU world-building movie masquerading as a Superman movie.

GREAT CAESAR’S GHOST! LOIS LANE IS SMART

One of my criticisms of Man of Steel was how quickly the script fast-forwarded to Lois Lane discovering that Clark Kent is Superman. It was quick, heartless, and prevented any development of Kal-El, disguised as Clark Kent, seeking a romantic relationship with Lois.

I understand that Zack Snyder was trying to show that Lois isn’t that dumb to fall for Supes’ secret identity. However, Snyder failed to understand that the disguise is more than just a pair of glasses. Just look at how Christopher Reeves adjusted his posture, gestures, and voice when he transitioned from Clark Kent to Superman.

To Lois, Clark is a bumbling, fumbling, oaf from Smallville. She could care less about him. She has no time for him. The hustle and bustle of the big city, and chasing the next great story distracts her from looking any closer at Clark. It has nothing to do with her IQ.

If Gunn is going to lean into the source material, then lean all the way in. We got the red trunks, we got Krypto – why not give us Kal-El, as Clark Kent, trying to gain Lois’ affection?

SUPERMAN DISGUISED FROM LOIS MAKES HIM RELATABLE

Audience members can relate to being denied a romantic relationship, and chasing after it. We have all been there. For whatever reason, our love interest perceived us a certain way, wrote us off, and never considered us again.

Think about this: before Kal-El even meets Lois, he disguised himself as a hunched over, bumbling, fumbling, nerd with big glasses and goofy hair. Then, he meets Lois and becomes captivated by her. Lois, on the other hand, could care less about “Smallville.”

Now, unfortunately for Kal-El, he is stuck playing Clark to humbly experience life in the big city. In doing so, he has ruined any romantic chances with Lois.

Just like many of us that have chased after love, Kal-El is in the same predicament, and he cannot solve it with brute strength, which makes him relatable.

I’d argue that when Superman gets the girl of his dreams, especially early on, it takes away a big part of what makes him relatable. I really hope that Kal-El’s identity stays hidden from Lois throughout the film because who doesn’t love a good, old fashioned, romantic chase?

UP, UP AND AWAY!

Gunn is definitely taking some big swings that might be risky. I mean did you ever think we would see Krypto on the big screen? Or the red trunks returning?

Although risky, I am definitely excited to see what Gunn has in store for us. The bright, vibrant colors are welcoming. Superman in his red trunks just looks right. Krypto making an appearance is awesome, and the music ties it all together. You better believe that on June 11th I will be up, up and away to the movie theater.

If you are interested to hear my initial reaction to Gunn being announced as the new head of DCU, check out the very first podcast I did with my life-long friend. We had a blast recording it.