Superman and Fantastic Four Share a Surprising Secret

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Summary

  • DC and Marvel’s Summer blockbusters focus on iconic power couples crucial for emotional investment.
  • Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” trailer emphasizes family and personal dynamics over action.
  • Good superhero romances are key to grounding characters and hooking audiences for sequels.

In the summer of 2025, it seems that no pair of movies is generating more buzz than “Superman” from DC Studios and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” from Marvel Studios. Both films are set to premiere in July, with fans already getting ready for an exhilarating experience that could make the month a memorable one, dubbed by some as a “Super-Fantastic” period.

The initial trailer for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” was released online recently, offering fans a sneak peek at Marvel’s First Family, who have now been formally incorporated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in their own movie after receiving varying reviews, from mediocre at best to intense dislike under 20th Century Fox. The expectation for Marvel’s first superhero team to excel with this new film is comparable to that of DC’s “Superman”, since both characters are crucial for reintroducing their respective comic book brands’ iconic original superheroes to contemporary audiences. While some debate how both films intend to evoke the Silver Age of comics through their creative strategies, there appears to be one common feature between them based on what their trailers have revealed so far.

The Power Couples Of DC and Marvel

As a movie reviewer, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on the upcoming trailers for “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. Both films delve deep into the heart of their respective stories, focusing on the iconic romantic pairings that drive these universes. In the case of “Superman”, we witness the budding relationship between David Corenswet’s Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, with only a few words spoken, including Superman’s call for his dog Krypto. On the other hand, the trailer for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is dialogue-heavy, spotlighting the original Marvel power couple, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), also known as Mr. Fantastic and The Invisible Woman. The trailer concludes with a poignant line from Sue, reassuring Reed that they’ll face whatever life throws at them as a family, amidst the impending threat of Galactus looming over their world.

From what the trailers suggest, James Gunn and Matt Shakman, responsible for Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps respectively, are aiming to captivate present-day audiences by portraying deep emotional connections between these superhero pairs. The action sequences in both previews are interspersed with heartfelt, intimate moments for the characters. For instance, Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane share tender scenes at their workplace, The Daily Planet, as well as two passionate kisses – one at home and another while flying. We also catch a glimpse of Reed Richards and Sue Storm sharing personal conversations, reminiscing about their lives before they embarked on their space journey alongside Ben Grimm/The Thing and Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. There are also scenes depicting their domestic love life and moments of affection amidst the accident that shaped their origins.

DC vs. Marvel: A Love Story

It’s clear that when looking at romantic stories between characters from DC and Marvel across movies and TV shows, Marvel has generally outshone DC. This is partly due to the fact that Marvel has had more chances to create compelling romantic relationships for viewers to connect with, such as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter, Peter Parker and MJ, or Wanda Maximoff and Vision. Each of these couples offered distinct dynamics, blending action-packed scenes with intimate moments that made them relatable. Additionally, the chemistry between the actors playing these characters has significantly contributed to their success.

Over the span of 11 years on the silver screen, the romantic tale between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe unfolded, captivating audiences from their initial professional bond to their heartfelt love story, marriage, parenthood, sharing battles in Avengers: Endgame, and ultimately, Tony’s selfless sacrifice.

The romantic storylines in DC’s film and TV adaptations haven’t been as triumphant compared to other aspects, with the DC Extended Universe being a notable example. This universe started with Man of Steel in 2013 and concluded with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023, both films featuring superheroes who have well-known romantic interests. Despite having dedicated followers, it’s fair to say that numerous critics and viewers felt that these on-screen romances were underdeveloped and lacked emotional depth.

In the case of Henry Cavill’s Superman and Amy Adams’ Lois Lane, their romantic relationship didn’t feel authentic or convincing to many viewers. Similarly, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Amber Heard’s Mera had an enjoyable initial outing, but overall, it seemed ordinary, and the chemistry between them was lacking. And in some of DC’s most well-known romantic partnerships recently, both interpretations of the Joker and Harley Quinn relationships have fallen short. For instance, the portrayal by Jared Leto and Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad suffered from underdeveloped storylines and lazy writing, while Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s depictions in Joker: Folie à Deux were criticized for being poorly executed and insufficient.

To clarify, this statement does not imply that DC has never had thriving romances; quite the contrary. For instance, the first “Wonder Woman” movie focused on the pivotal relationship between Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman and Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. Their connection was captivating, largely due to their shared adventure in that initial film. Similarly, in “The Batman,” the romantic tension between Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne/Batman and Zoë Kravitz’s Selina Kyle/Catwoman was evident. This chemistry was amplified by Matt Reeves and Peter Craig’s screenplay, which provided a compelling narrative dynamic while leaving room for intriguing possibilities in “The Batman: Part II.

Good Superhero Romances Hook Audiences

I can’t help but appreciate how it’s not just the thrilling superhuman feats that keep us, as fans, eagerly awaiting sequels and team-up films in the world of superheroes. Rather, it’s the chance to reconnect with characters we’ve come to care about deeply due to their compelling narrative arcs and personal growth. The magic lies not only in their extraordinary powers but also in their internal transformations, often shaped by their complex relationships with those around them – be they friends, foes, or something in between. It’s this focus on character dynamics that truly humanizes these larger-than-life figures and makes them more relatable for many of us.

To truly captivate viewers, it’s essential for both Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps to remind us why we initially fell in love with these iconic superheroes. While the grandeur and awe-inspiring elements of superhero tales are undeniably enticing, it’s the characters’ personal journeys that truly resonate. If their romantic aspects are skillfully portrayed, they can stir deep emotions within us, potentially even bringing a tear to our eyes.

In recent times, Superman, as portrayed by Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill, has garnered much fan love. However, it’s evident that the image of the character in mainstream culture is shifting, and this is further complicated by shows like “The Boys” and “Invincible,” which present their own darker versions of Superman. It falls upon James Gunn and David Corenswet to reacquaint viewers with the ideals of truth, justice, and a brighter future through their new cinematic journey for Clark Kent. Lois Lane seems crucial in this respect, as she might be the primary means of hooking audiences into this fresh universe.

In essence, just as it’s been the case with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Marvel Comics film adaptations have had a rocky history for close to four decades, from the unrealized Roger Corman film in 1994 to Tim Story’s films in the mid-2000s and Josh Trank’s 2015 reboot. But it seems that Matt Shakman’s creative touch, as seen in “WandaVision,” is well-suited to the vintage Silver Age style of the iconic team. Here’s hoping he successfully captures the same enchanting romance between Wanda Maximoff and Vision that was so compellingly portrayed in the relationship between Reed Richards and Sue Storm.

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2025-02-09 18:06