Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

As a long-time fan of the Man of Steel, I am beyond thrilled about the upcoming movie, “Superman” (2025). The casting choices and plot details have me buzzing with anticipation. James Gunn’s decision to focus on Clark Kent, rather than Superman, in his adaptation of “Superman: For All Seasons” is a bold move that I wholeheartedly support.


As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for none other than Superman, one of the most cherished superheroes ever created. He’s an iconic figure in our global pop culture, synonymous with the very essence of a superhero. The legendary Richard Donner’s “Superman: The Movie” set the stage for the superhero movie boom in 1978, and Christopher Reeve’s portrayal as Superman, complete with spandex and underwear outside his costume, was groundbreaking. Ever since the Christopher Reeve films, fans like me have yearned for a big-screen Superman who honors the legacy we hold dear.

As a passionate gamer, I can tell you that when it came to Zack Synder’s portrayal of Superman in the DCEU, the feedback was overwhelmingly negative. Many fellow fans and I felt that Synder’s grim take on the Man of Steel just didn’t jive with the character we know and love. Despite the fact that Henry Cavill was spot-on as Superman for most of us, the dark tone didn’t seem to suit him.

10 James Gunn Is The Perfect Director

He’s A Huge Fan Of Superman

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Years ago, Gunn was presented with a chance to work on a Superman project, but he declined because he wasn’t sure how to approach it creatively. Instead, he chose to wait until he had a concept that he believed stayed true to the character while still offering something fresh and distinctive. The fact that Gunn was prepared to wait until he felt confident in his ability to do justice to Superman demonstrates just how passionate he is about the Man of Steel.

In an interview while promoting “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, James Gunn shared what emotions he aims to evoke in viewers after watching his films, explaining why he’s perfectly suited to bring such a hopeful character to life on screen.

Maybe they feel a little bit more hopeful about what the world can be from when they walked in.

9 Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Will Be Magnificent In The Role

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

In casting a Superman movie, it’s essential that Lois Lane is given equal importance as Clark Kent. Lois Lane provides a balance for Superman, making her a character who can stand on equal footing with someone nearly divine in a romantic sense. Margot Kidder’s portrayal of Lois as a bold and unyielding journalist in the 1978 film “Superman” remains iconic, perfectly embodying the ideal partner for Christopher Reeve’s humble reporter character.

Rachel Brosnahan’s captivating portrayal of Miriam in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” demonstrates her knack for embodying strong, independent, and humorous characters, making her an excellent candidate for the role of Lois. In “Smallville,” Erica Durance’s Lois was widely admired for her delivery of comedic lines amidst a world filled with superheroes and aliens, showcasing her ability to portray a somewhat ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances. Combining Gunn’s unique brand of comedy with Brosnahan’s mastery of dry humor could lead to an entertaining character – a relatable voice of reason that every superhero story needs.

8 It is Not An Origin Story

Gunn Wants To Do Something New

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

The tale of Superman’s beginnings has been retold numerous times, and some fans had hoped to avoid revisiting it. However, it seems that the upcoming film will not feature the destruction of Krypton. Despite focusing on early stages in Clark Kent’s life, this new story isn’t an origin story like those fans have seen repeatedly. Instead, it offers a fresh take on Superman’s early years.

By doing this, we can ensure the movie primarily concentrates on narrating an engaging and distinctive tale, instead of devoting a substantial portion to rehashing a narrative that many are familiar with.

7 Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

Hoult Has A Lot To Bring To The Character

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Among comic book villains, Lex Luthor stands out as one of the most iconic characters ever created. With his cold, strategic demeanor, he plays the role of Superman’s chilling adversary perfectly. Nicholas Hoult, whose acting career spans back to when he was just 7 years old, possesses an incredible versatility that makes him a strong choice for portraying Lex Luthor on screen.

Lately, Hoult was a guest on the podcast “Inside Of You,” hosted by Michael Rosenbaum – famously known for portraying Lex Luthor in “Smallville.” Superman enthusiasts like James Gunn have lauded Rosenbaum as delivering the most compelling portrayal of Lex on screen. During their conversation, Hoult expresses his respect for Rosenbaum and they delve into the methods used to embody Lex and understand the character’s psyche.

6 David Corenswet as Superman

Can Expertly Play Both Superman And Clark Kent

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Playing Superman can be challenging because an actor must convincingly portray both Superman and Clark Kent. The actor should appear distinct enough that audiences find it plausible that no one in the story would recognize the two characters, despite their physical similarities. After a set photo of David Corenswet as Clark Kent was released, many noticed how noticeably different he looks as Clark compared to Superman.

An actor should be capable of portraying two contrasting characters: someone strong and imposing like a divine figure, yet compassionate enough to aid an elderly lady in crossing the street. A character such as Superman needs to strike a balance between being appealing and intimidating. Corenswet, a highly trained actor from Juilliard with a wide range of skills and extensive experience, is relatively unknown, making him a suitable choice for playing Superman without audience preconceptions based on other roles he’s played.

5 Lesser-Known DC Characters Will Appear

Gunn Makes Audiences Love Underrated Characters

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited
Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited
Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Three little-known DC characters are set to make an appearance in Superman (2025). These will be:

  • Rex Mason/Metamorpho, played by Anothony Carrigan.
  • Angela Spica/The Engineer, played by Maria Gabriela De Faria.
  • Michael Holt/Mister Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi.

While die-hard DC Comics enthusiasts might recognize these figures, casual film fans likely won’t. This was true of Guardians of the Galaxy prior to Gunn introducing them into the MCU, and the same goes for Peacemaker in the DCU. By presenting characters that haven’t been portrayed on screen before, Gunn has the freedom to infuse his own distinctive style onto them.

4 Based on Iconic Superman Comics

Influenced By All Star Superman & Superman: For All Seasons

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

The comic book “All Star Superman” by Grant Morrison is highly praised by DC enthusiasts as one of the finest portrayals of both Superman and Lex Luthor. Morrison delves into the dichotomy between Superman’s superpowered feats and what it truly means to be human. As per Gunn, his upcoming movie will zero in on the strife that Superman experiences when he’s pulled between his human world connections and his Kryptonian lineage – a struggle that many fans agree makes Superman stories most compelling.

The graphic novel “Superman: For All Seasons” by Jeph Loeb is highly acclaimed for its exploration of Clark Kent instead of the usual focus on Superman. This suggests that filmmaker James Gunn intends to delve into the character of Clark, rather than creating a straightforward narrative about Superman battling space monsters.

3 Nathan Fillion as The Green Lantern

Has Voiced The Green Lantern Since 2011

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Nathan Fillion is widely loved as Green Lantern. He’s lent his voice to the character in movies like “Green Lantern Emerald Knights,” “Justice League Doom,” and “The Death of Superman,” meaning he’s been honing this role for more than a decade.

Fillion’s character will portray Guy Gardner, a blunt, dislikable Green Lantern known for his poor hairstyle. James Gunn has explicitly mentioned this unflattering hairdo based on his comment on Threads.

Giving my old pal Nate a bowl cut might have been my primary reason for casting him.

2 Will Reeve Appears Onscreen

Christopher Reeve’s Son Is In The Movie

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

In the upcoming movie, it turns out that Christopher Reeve’s son, Will Reeve, will be portraying a journalist on screen. Interestingly enough, in reality, Will Reeve serves as a correspondent for both ABC News and Good Morning America.

The likeness of Christopher Reeve’s son might hint at the style of the upcoming movie. Notably, Gunn seems to be drawing a lot of influence from the original “Superman” movie released in 1978, which was simply titled “Superman.” Gunn has also decided to eliminate ‘legacy’ from the title, suggesting that this new film will simply bear the same name as its predecessor.

1 It Will Kick-Start the DCU

James Gunn Will Need To Start His DCU Off With A Bang

Superman Legacy: Reasons To Be Excited

Following his transition from Marvel to DC, James Gunn faces a significant challenge to win over both moviegoers and long-time DC fans who may have been critical of recent DC films. His task is to rekindle interest in the DC Universe and demonstrate that it’s worth investing in the future.

In 2025, Superman needs to serve as Ironman did for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), acting as a foundational film that establishes the character and tone for James Gunn’s DCU. Since Gunn has opted to launch his DCU with a Superman movie, it seems he believes this film will be compelling enough to draw in audiences.

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2024-08-16 09:34