James Gunn’s modern Superman reimagines Lois and Clark relationship by shifting away from the traditional secret identity trope and highlighting a courageous, upfront romance between the two well-known characters. Gunn’s new film brings a fresh energy to the iconic duo, setting their love story on different footing, where the truth is out in the open from the very beginning.
A New Take on a Classic Relationship
Inspired in part by Richard Donner’s 1978 depiction of Superman, Gunn’s version introduces audiences to an altered dynamic at the core of the narrative—how Lois Lane and Clark Kent relate as partners, not just colleagues or masked lovers. In the classic film, Lois Lane and Superman share a memorable rooftop interview, where Lois quizzes the hero about his origins and purpose, famously responding he stands
“To fight for truth and justice and the American way.”
At this moment, she remains unaware that her mild-mannered co-worker Clark Kent is the very hero she questions.
But Gunn’s approach does away with that familiar secret-identity drama. In this reimagining, the element of mystery has vanished: Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, instantly recognizes that the man she is interviewing as Superman is also Clark Kent, her partner. The tension no longer revolves around hidden truths—it’s about emotional openness and the vulnerability required in love.
Honesty at the Heart of Lois and Clark
During an interview scene early in the film, Clark Kent, portrayed by David Corenswet, is introduced as Superman while sitting down with Lois Lane. But the pair have moved beyond secrets, and their relationship is already in full swing at the outset. As Corenswet explained:
“This isn’t like the interview in the Donner movie where Lois doesn’t know that he’s Clark. Lois knows everything about him, so he’s in a very vulnerable position. He’s madly in love with this woman and desperately wants her to understand him and appreciate him and love him back.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
Lois and Clark are already a couple three months strong by the start of the film. This fresh approach centers on the genuine growing pains of a real-world relationship—not just sparks, but the deeper uncertainty and hope of a partnership becoming permanent. Brosnahan, reflecting on their evolving bond, shared:
“Which is the point in a relationship where you’re like, Was this a really great fling or is this more serious, possibly forever? It’s one of the things that I love about their love story. While they have totally opposite worldviews, they complete each other, and they kind of need each other.”
—Rachel Brosnahan, Actor
Lois Lane: More Than Just a Reporter
Director James Gunn and his cast build on classic foundations but expand Lois Lane’s role considerably, crafting a character who drives stories from the ground and the air. Brosnahan’s Lois gets her hands dirty, demonstrating her journalistic skills at critical moments—even piloting Mister Terrific’s T-Sphere, a nod to the world’s growing roster of superpowered allies. In the chaos of these new adventures, Lois’s commitment to her craft remains central. She highlighted Gunn’s unique approach to her character:
“I think, in that moment, she sees an opportunity for a front-page story. I really appreciated that James makes space for you to see her in action at the height of her journalistic prowess.”
—Rachel Brosnahan, Actor
A Vibrant World Already in Motion
Gunn’s Superman leaps straight into a world where superheroes are established and the extraordinary is routine. By the start, Superman is already an active force within a complex universe, contending with global disputes, such as the conflict between Boravia and Jarhanpur, and keeping pace with supervillains like Metallo. Lois and Clark, as journalists, have their hands full covering these explosive stories side by side, and it’s in this bustling environment that their romance grows.
The Chemistry of Casting: Finding the Perfect Clois
The casting process for this Superman adaptation was as thorough and inventive as the story itself. A range of actors, including Tom Brittney and Nicholas Hoult, were considered for the role of Superman. Hoult was ultimately cast as Lex Luthor, bringing a new energy to the iconic villain. For Lois Lane, actresses like Phoebe Dynevor and Emma Mackey were seen, but the priority was always the connection between the leads. Gunn explained the unique challenge of casting:
“We mixed and matched these different actors and actresses to find out not only who was the best Clark and who was the best Lois, but who was the best ‘Clois,’ who was the best together. I do think that David was the best Clark, Rachel was the best Lois, but they also had the most chemistry together.”
—James Gunn, Director
Legacy and Personal Connections to Superman
While James Gunn aims for a modern tone with this Superman, the story remains steeped in homage. Classic elements, such as a musical score reminiscent of John Williams’ work and the aspirational hope embodied by Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder’s performances, ground this new film in its storied past. For Rachel Brosnahan, the project takes on added meaning, as she shared her personal memories of seeing Superman with her father:
“My dad was a huge Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Superman fan, and I feel like he showed me that movie when I was about 12. So that was the definitive Superman for me, even though it was long before my time.”
—Rachel Brosnahan, Actor
The Significance of Gunn’s Approach
Gunn’s Superman stands out by discarding the conventions of secret identities and focusing on the emotional honesty between Lois and Clark. With Superman no longer hiding behind Clark Kent’s glasses, the drama shifts to the challenges of trust, vulnerability, and real partnership. The relationship between the hero and the reporter becomes an exploration of how two very different people find common ground and meaning in each other amid a world of chaos.
As Gunn reinvents Lois and Clark for a new era, the story promises to resonate with audiences who value authenticity in on-screen romance and the timeless struggle for truth and justice. The legacy of icons like Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and John Williams persists, even as a modern Lois and Clark redefine what it means to love—and save—the world together.
