James Gunn has become one of the most prominent names in the film scene thanks to the imminent release of the new film by 'Superman'The director and screenwriter is at the helm of dc studios and its objective is clear: to mark a before and after in the adaptations of the DC universe on the big screen. On July 11, the film promises to show a renewed version of both the superhero and his entire environment, with David Corenswet in the role of Clark Kent and an ensemble cast that includes faces like Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and more.
The expectation for this new stage of DC It's not just due to the return of Superman, but also to Gunn's fresh approach. The filmmaker insists that his current work is completely different from what he's done in the past with Marvel Studios, and that here he's opting for a story less reliant on repetitive origin narratives and more focused on exploring the hero's present and how he interacts with his environment.
A universe full of characters, but without losing its focus
One of the aspects that has drawn the most attention is the extensive presence of secondary characters and superheroes in the plot. James Gunn He argues that, despite the dense cast, 'Superman' won't be difficult for audiences to follow. As he's explained in interviews, the universe he presents is already inhabited by veteran heroes, but the story remains focused on Clark Kent, who must navigate between his colleagues at the Daily Planet and other vigilantes like Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific.
To clarify if this might be confusing, Gunn compares his film to 'Oppenheimer', noting that the latter featured even more characters with weight in the script, and audiences had no trouble following along. “I think 'Oppenheimer' has three times as many speaking roles as our film. So I think people will be fine,” the director stated, emphasizing that the central thrust of 'Superman' remains very well defined.
The Secret Identity of Clark Kent: Beyond the Glasses
One of the oldest debates among fans revolves around the reason why Nobody recognizes Clark Kent as Superman just for wearing glasses. James Gunn has directly addressed this issue in various interviews, confirming that the film will use a comic-book basis to provide an explanation that goes beyond a simple change of appearance. In his own words, “Clark's glasses aren't just any ordinary accessory: in the comics, there's the idea that they're 'hypno-glasses' capable of influencing the perception of those around him.”
The filmmaker admits that he was never convinced by the classic explanation, and to lend greater coherence to his vision, he has revived this rarely mentioned element outside of the comics. Thus, the film shows a Clark Kent who not only changes his attitude and body language, but also relies on a canonical device to keep his secret identity safe. The first appearance of these glasses dates back to 1978, in issue 330 of "Superman Vol. 1," although their use never became an essential part of the character's mythology.
On the interpretation of David Corenswet, Gunn wanted to emphasize that he is the one who best differentiates his two facets: “Of all the actors who have played Superman, David is the one who most distinguishes himself as Clark Kent and Superman, even more so than Christopher Reeve,” said the director, for whom now “the difference between the two is already achieved by itself.”
A reboot for DC Studios, far from its traditional origins
The film marks a departure from previous big-screen adaptations of the hero. Gunn has confirmed that the story will not return to Superman's classic origin story—the destruction of Krypton—and instead will place us directly in a reality where Superheroes are already part of everyday lifeWith this, the narrative aims to offer something closer to the character's essence: hope, integrity, and a less cynical approach to the world of heroes.
As if that weren't enough, 'Superman' also features significant visual differences. Gunn has indicated that the feature film will dispense with the traditional Warner Bros. introduction, replacing it with exclusive DC Studios branding, similar to the distinctive Marvel logo used in films in that universe.
Notable cast members include Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern. They're joined by Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), and other key figures in Superman's entourage.
Gunn's goal with this strategy is to offer a different cinematic experience, which connects with today's audiences and revitalizes the DC universe on the big screen, ensuring a period full of innovation and new references within the genre.