Superman: Why Krypto Is The Secret Weapon To James Gunn’s DCU Success

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Summary

  • The success of James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie will determine the future of the new DCU.
  • The introduction of Krypto in the teaser trailer has garnered an overwhelmingly positive response.
  • Gunn’s track record with non-human characters, like Rocket Raccoon, suggests Krypto will play a significant role.

As a long-time comic book fan and moviegoer, I must say that the recent reveal of Krypto in the upcoming Superman film has me incredibly excited. Having grown up with the classic Superdog by my side (or should I say, under my bed), I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and anticipation for this new cinematic adventure.

The success or failure of James Gunn’s new DC Universe largely depends on how well his upcoming Superman movie performs, both critically and commercially. Last week, the first teaser trailer was released, and the enthusiastic reactions from viewers suggest a renewed interest in DC Comics films that aren’t centered around Batman.

In July next year, when Superman graces the big screen, it will be 12 years since a solo film focused on one of pop culture’s most legendary figures has been released. Although Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, featuring Henry Cavill as Kal-El, has its devotees, the portrayal of this character and his subsequent appearances in DC Extended Universe projects didn’t capture the public’s heart like Chris Evans’ Captain America did. One challenge filmmakers have faced when bringing Superman stories to life is making this seemingly invincible character appealing to audiences by making him relatable. A common complaint about the character from its critics is that his extraordinary abilities make him dull to follow, distancing him from ordinary people.

To start with, the initial scene in the trailer presents David Corenswet’s Superman in a vulnerable position. He tumbles dramatically into snow, letting out a painful gasp. Just from this introduction, it appears that our iconic hero is struggling without any Kryptonite around, which directly tackles concerns of those who find Superman difficult to empathize with due to his powers.

A Boy And His Dog

The most popular part of the first official trailer for Superman is not actually the main character himself, but rather one of his allies who’s set to appear in live-action for the first time. In a scene where Superman calls out to him while lying in the snow, an unidentified figure rushes through the snowy landscape. This mysterious figure turns out to be Krypto, who Superman, in obvious distress, requests to take him home. Krypto responds by grabbing onto Superman’s cape with his teeth, potentially stealing the show in this initial trailer teaser.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that when James Gunn unveiled the first teaser for Superman, he truly hit the mark on the internet. This trailer broke records, becoming Warner Bros.’ most-watched debut within a 24-hour period and even making it into the top 5 largest trailer debuts of all time, joining heavyweights like Deadpool, Wolverine, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Avengers: Endgame. While some may argue that the general curiosity about the new DCU fueled its success, I’d venture to guess that the inclusion of Krypto might have been the secret ingredient that really got people talking.

Krypto Is The Key To All Of This

In the behind-the-scenes film about Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, George Lucas famously declared that “Jar Jar is crucial to everything.” Indeed, Jar Jar Binks is one of the most widely despised characters in contemporary cinema and has faced harsh criticism, not only from Star Wars enthusiasts but also the broader film audience. It’s evident now that putting a significant focus on Jar Jar in Episode I, believing that a bothersome comic relief character embodying negative racial stereotypes would contribute to the movie’s success, was a misguided decision.

It’s great that James Gunn has a knack for creating compelling non-human characters using CGI, and this is evident in his work. For instance, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy introduced us to characters like Rocket Raccoon and Groot, who quickly won over audiences’ hearts. Similarly, King Shark was endearing in The Suicide Squad, and his character made its debut under Gunn’s direction. His TV shows, such as Peacemaker, have introduced us to Eagly, while his latest project, Creature Commandos, presents one of the most heart-wrenching stories written by Gunn so far in Season 1 Episode 4, “Chasing Squirrels,” which revolves around Weasel.

The affection and attention Gunn gives to these characters mirrors his declared fondness for animals. Previously, Gunn stated that including Krypto in the Superman script was largely influenced by adopting his dog Ozu. Few things in cinema can help audiences empathize with a main character as much as their cherished pet does. After all, consider the entire John Wick film series.

Take Us Home, Krypto

Concerning Krypto’s character in Superman, James Gunn hinted that what we saw in the trailer is just a tiny fraction of what he plans to contribute to the film. Gunn mentioned that despite Krypto appearing adorable, he will cause quite a few issues – not only for our dear title character, but also for the entire plot. It’s intriguing to speculate about the kind of chaos a super-powered Kryptonian dog could create in Metropolis.

It’s unclear if the portrayal of Krypto in this version will only bark like a regular dog or develop human speech, as shown in some of his animated series or in DC League of Super-Pets where Dwayne Johnson provided his voice. Regardless of James Gunn’s decision, he has demonstrated skill in creating engaging animal characters, from the talkative Rocket Raccoon in the MCU to Weasel, who charms audiences despite not speaking, due to his moving backstory.

As a film enthusiast, I’m seven months away from witnessing the grand return of Superman on the big screen. With such an extensive timeline ahead, it’s crucial for the marketing team to ignite excitement not only for this upcoming movie but also for the fresh start of the DC Universe.

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2024-12-26 00:04