As anticipation builds for the new Superman film from James Gunn, many fans are hoping that the director will address the longstanding issues that have plagued past adaptations of the iconic hero. With the release scheduled for July 11th, the lessons learned from previous cinematic outings could determine whether this fresh take can repair Superman’s imperfect film legacy, making the subject of James Gunn Superman movie lessons more relevant than ever.
Learning From Superman’s Tumultuous Film History
Since Superman soared from the comics into radio, animation, and ultimately live-action, his larger-than-life popularity has brought just as many cinematic missteps as successes. Nearly every Superman movie, from the classic “Superman: The Movie” to “Man of Steel,” has fallen into traps that undermined Clark Kent’s story, character, or the world he inhabits. Now, James Gunn has an opportunity to break this cycle and establish a more faithful and compelling screen version of the Man of Steel.
The vast array of scenes throughout Superman’s filmography highlights a pattern of what not to do when adapting the character for the big screen. Many mistakes hinge on misused villains, weak narrative justifications, controversial choices regarding Superman’s morality, and a tendency either to shy away from or mishandle the bizarre charm of his comic roots. Gunn’s new vision for Superman needs to overcome these pitfalls and bring a revitalized energy to the DC icon, ensuring this film stands out for the right reasons in the modern DC Universe.
1. Use Superman’s Villains Wisely and Creatively
Superman’s comic book adversaries are diverse and just as intriguing as those of Batman, yet the films mostly recycle the likes of Lex Luthor and General Zod. These two antagonists have dominated six live-action movies, with inventive new foes rarely given a chance. When filmmakers do try something different, it’s not always successful—Superman III delivered a perplexing supercomputer villain, while
“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”
introduced the infamous Nuclear Man, a bizarre evil clone whose outlandish costume and persona failed to impress viewers.
Both the computer hybrid and Nuclear Man were meant to shake up the formula but ended up regarded as notably weak villains, departing from the powerful threats seen in Superman’s source material. In many cases, efforts to avoid the familiar resulted in lackluster storytelling that disappointed long-time fans.
For his Superman film, James Gunn appears to be hinting at a new adversary, possibly Ultraman, in the movie’s trailers. However, audiences will be watching closely to see if Gunn resists tying the character back to old foes like Zod or inventing another underwhelming antagonist. The hope is that this new villain will have depth, purpose, and a lasting impact within the DCU.
2. Ground the Story With a Clear Purpose
One common problem with previous Superman films is a lack of narrative purpose. While
“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”
was heavily criticized, it at least attempted to address real-world issues through its nuclear disarmament subplot. In contrast, “Superman Returns” has often been seen as a film lacking direction, seemingly produced mostly to replicate the atmosphere and nostalgia of the Christopher Reeve era.
The movie leaned hard into reanimating Marlon Brando’s Jor-El and Kevin Spacey’s impersonation of Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor, fixating on recreating the magic of early films rather than expanding the mythos or charting a new path for Superman. Returning to familiar settings, themes, and characters without offering fresh insights has made subsequent movies feel like retreading old ground for its own sake.
A successful James Gunn Superman movie needs to justify its existence with strong creative choices, moving beyond simply inaugurating a new DCU. Gunn’s story should define a unique reason for this Superman’s place in the current era, giving both new and longtime audiences a genuine sense of novelty and vision.
“I suppose it’s time for a new Superman movie.”
—Name, Title/Role
With this in mind, viewers expect Gunn to bring a clear sense of purpose to his film—one that honors Superman’s history while boldly looking forward.
3. Honor Superman’s Core: He Should Not Kill
The notion that Superman refuses to kill is foundational to his character, setting him apart from many other superheroes. Yet, this value has not always been upheld in film adaptations. The controversial scene in “Man of Steel,” where Henry Cavill’s Superman takes the life of Michael Shannon’s General Zod, is frequently discussed among fans for upending this principle. However, it is not the first time the character has resorted to lethal force; “Superman II” featured a powerless Zod thrown into a chasm by Superman, a fate equally questionable.
These depictions go against the ethos that makes Superman fundamentally different from his foes, especially from Luthor, who relies on intellect rather than brute force. If Clark Kent so easily abandoned his no-kill rule, battles with the likes of Luthor would lose all tension. The danger for Gunn’s film is that, given his portfolio—where previous characters such as The Crimson Bolt, the teams in “The Suicide Squad,” and even the “Guardians of the Galaxy” have little qualms about violence—he may introduce a similar disregard for life.
Fans hope that this new Superman avoids those violent pitfalls, reestablishing Clark Kent as a beacon of hope who uses his power responsibly and with compassion. The need to get this core aspect right is especially pressing, as it speaks directly to Superman’s unique moral standing among superheroes and within pop culture at large.
4. Lean Into the Outlandish Elements of Superman’s Legacy
Some of Superman’s most memorable on-screen moments are undeniably strange, and not always well received. In “Superman II,” for example, the hero randomly pulls an S-shield from his chest to trap his enemies, and later erases Lois Lane’s memory with a kiss. While these moments are jarring in a movie setting, they draw directly from the quirky, imaginative powers Superman displayed in the Silver Age of comics.
During that era, Superman regularly debuted new abilities such as shapeshifting, super ventriloquism, and even conjuring miniature Supermen from his hands. Present-day superhero movies have often shifted toward “realistic” depictions—think Christopher Nolan’s Batman, who refuses to even nickname his signature vehicle the Batmobile—leaving the weirder, campier qualities of comics behind.
However, Gunn seems intent on bringing back some of that creative eccentricity. For example, the inclusion of Superman Robots in his upcoming film suggests an embrace of more fantastical concepts, likely making for a more faithful and vibrant tribute to the comic book source.
5. Superman Is Not a Religious Figurehead
While Superman’s roots lie with Jewish creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and his mythology borrows from Jewish legends like Moses and the Golem of Prague, many filmmakers have long cast him as a Christ-like figure. This began as early as “Superman: The Movie,” where Marlon Brando’s Jor-El is portrayed with divine overtones, referencing sending his only son to guide humanity. This trend accelerated in later films, including “Superman II” and “Superman Returns,” where scenes with overt Christian symbolism—such as Superman’s cruciform fall and resurrection after three days—dominated the story.
Zack Snyder’s trilogy, including “Man of Steel,”
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,”
and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” further layered on Christian imagery, reinforcing Superman as a Messiah figure. However, Superman’s essence is meant to resonate with everyone, transcending any single religion or set of beliefs. Building the character’s identity around Christianity, intentionally or not, has the effect of alienating parts of the audience for whom those references are unfamiliar or exclusionary.
If Gunn is to make his Superman movie accessible and relevant for all fans, detaching from past religious overtones is essential. By making Superman a secular symbol of hope and progress, the film can reinforce the hero’s status as a universal icon, making him truly belong to every viewer regardless of background or belief.
“Superman’s Rachel Brosnahan Reflects on How “Mind-Boggling” It Was to Land Role of Lois Lane” —Rachel Brosnahan, Actress
The Challenges—and Potential—Ahead For James Gunn’s Superman
Superman’s cinematic journey has reflected the complexities and contradictions of adapting a legendary character whose reach spans generations. With a July 11 release date looming, James Gunn faces the daunting task of both honoring tradition and breaking unhealthy cycles. Using the lessons learned from the films that came before, Gunn’s Superman could finally deliver the film that the character, his fans, and the wider DC Universe deserve.
If Gunn succeeds, his Superman might finally bridge the gap between modern audiences and the rich, sometimes chaotic legacy of Clark Kent. By handling villains wisely, telling a story with intention, preserving Superman’s core morality, embracing comic book oddities, and steering clear of restrictive religious metaphors, this film has the chance to redefine what a Superman movie can and should be—setting a new standard not just for DC movies but for the entire superhero genre.
