Why James Gunn’s Superman Might Be the Most Human Yet
“I set out to make a movie about a good man in a world that isn’t always so much.” — James Gunn
In an era where superhero narratives are often laced with irony, grit, and moral ambiguity, James Gunn is steering DC’s most iconic figure back toward the light. But make no mistake: this isn’t your grandfather’s Superman. It’s a grounded, emotionally rich take on the Man of Steel—one that may just make him more human than ever before.
The Gunn Blueprint: Kindness Over Cynicism
Gunn’s Superman isn’t about reinventing powers or piling on multiverse baggage. Instead, he’s recalibrating the character around something refreshingly radical: goodness. It’s a bold move in a genre increasingly obsessed with subversion, and it’s what makes this version feel both timely and timeless.
Where past cinematic Supermen have wrestled with godhood, alienation, or intergalactic brawls, Gunn’s Clark Kent appears to be grappling with something even more powerful—hope in a world that seems allergic to it.
A Clark Who Trips Over His Words? Yes, Please.
David Corenswet’s take on Clark Kent isn’t the polished Boy Scout of yesteryear, nor is he the brooding demi-god from the Snyderverse. Instead, this Superman stumbles, both literally and emotionally. From awkward smiles to moments of unsure vulnerability, Gunn is embracing the idea that Clark’s greatest strength might not be flight or super strength—it might be empathy.
This interpretation taps into something deeply relatable: being a good person isn’t always easy. Especially when the world around you insists that cynicism is cool and vulnerability is weakness.
A Cast of Colorful Contrasts
Just look at the ensemble Gunn has built around Superman. You’ve got the brash Guy Gardner, the no-nonsense Hawkgirl, and a retooled Lex Luthor played by Nicholas Hoult—a version reportedly inspired by real-world tech billionaires and control freak visionaries. These are characters built to test Superman’s boundaries—not just physically, but ideologically.
Each member of this world challenges Clark’s unshakable morality. And that friction? It makes his goodness earned, not inherited.
Breaking the Mold: No Studio Intro, No Safety Net
Gunn made headlines by dropping the Warner Bros. logo entirely from the film’s opening, signaling not just a fresh start for the DCU but creative independence. It’s a subtle meta move that underscores the film’s thesis: Superman is breaking free—not just from corporate clutter, but from the baggage of needing to be cool, dark, or brooding.
Why This Superman Matters Now
In a culture steeped in sarcasm and dominated by antiheroes, what does it mean to be earnest? To be gentle? To not give up on humanity when humanity keeps disappointing you?
That’s the Superman Gunn is giving us. Not a symbol of unattainable perfection, but a reminder that goodness still has a place—even when the world doesn’t seem to deserve it.
-Jay Katz