The upcoming film Superman marks the beginning of the new DC Universe (DCU), led by producers James Gunn and Peter Safran. Written and directed by Gunn, known for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy, this iteration of Superman intentionally avoids the traditional origin story. Instead, it introduces audiences to a version of the hero who already navigates complex relationships with friends, foes, and even animal allies on Earth. The story features a wide array of characters, including Lex Luthor, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Guy Gardner, enriching the narrative landscape.
At the center of the film are David Corenswet’s Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. Early trailers already hint at the chemistry between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, showcasing a dynamic relationship that is poised to develop quickly as the story progresses. One notable scene recreates a classic moment from an earlier Superman film, creating a bridge between different adaptations.
David Corenswet Compares the DCU to Star Wars
David Corenswet, who plays Superman, expressed enthusiasm about the project and drew parallels between the new DC Universe and the Star Wars franchise. Corenswet shared that James Gunn described the DCU as being similar to Star Wars because the film immerses viewers directly into an established alternate world rather than starting with an origin story.
James has described this new DCU as feeling a little more like the Star Wars universe,
Corenswet explained,
in the sense that it’s not our world, it’s an alternate world, and it’s not an origin story. You’re just thrown into the middle of this universe, and you learn about it as you go.
The actor also highlighted the significance of the music, noting the involvement of John Williams’ iconic Superman theme within the new film’s soundtrack. While composers John Murphy and David Fleming crafted the score, Fleming confirmed the inclusion of Williams’ legendary theme.
The music is John Williams, which is huge.
For Corenswet, John Williams’ compositions played an influential role beyond just Superman, fueling his appreciation for many renowned films. He described the experience as surreal to be part of a movie underscored by Williams’ theme, calling it his biggest “pinch me” moment while working on the project.
A huge part of why Star Wars has stuck in my mind for so many years is the music,
he said,
and John Williams’ other music has been a way that I’ve expanded out to other great films and [been] a reason that I love the other films that he scored. The most surreal thing about being in this film is now I am in a film that has John Williams theme underneath it. That’s probably the biggest ‘pinch me’ moment for me in this whole thing, and it’s a fun thing to nerd out about.
Revisiting a Memorable Interview: A Key Scene Between Superman and Lois Lane
Among the film’s emotional highlights is a scene where Lois Lane interviews Kal-El in his role as Superman. Unlike classic narratives where Lois is unaware of Clark Kent’s dual identity, this film assumes that knowledge is already shared, adding layers of complexity to their interaction. The scene calls back to an iconic interview from the 1978 Superman film directed by Richard Donner.
It’s certainly in the spirit of that great iconic scene,
Corenswet acknowledged,
I think that scene from the [Richard] Donner movie is, for many people, the scene that they remember the most.
The actor emphasized that the new scene goes deeper because the relationship between Clark and Lois has evolved. With all secrets revealed, the dialogue explores the challenges and realities that come with their openness.
For us,
Corenswet added,
we got to go further [and] deeper, just because the circumstances are further along in [terms of] the relationship. You don’t have that block of Lois not knowing Superman’s identity. The cards are all on the table.
This interview scene balances romantic banter with underlying tension. Corenswet explained that beneath the flirtatious exchange lies a serious dialogue about their futures and uncertainties.
The flirtation and the romance and the banter is really all a means to a deeper end, which is A. ‘What the hell are you doing? Do you know what you’re doing? Are you sure you’ve thought this through?’ and B. ‘Are we sure this isn’t us breaking up? … Did you just break up with me?’
Rachel Brosnahan shared her perspective on portraying the scene’s realistic emotional trajectory, beginning with their intention to have fun but quickly facing unexpected complications.
I think it starts with us being like, ‘This’ll be fun, and this will end in a very different part of the apartment.’’ But things go off the rails which, in Brosnahan’s words, feels so real–and that’s one of the things that was so fun to play about it.
Superman is scheduled for release in theaters on July 11, promising audiences a fresh take on the iconic hero within the emerging DC Universe.
Main Cast Leading the New Superman Story
David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El, bringing a new interpretation of the character to the screen.
Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, serving as Superman’s key counterpart and love interest in this iteration of the DC Universe.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Director James Gunn, known for his work on the upcoming Superman film, says his belief in God helped him achieve success. However, he also states that God does not control his achievements.
Q. Why did James Gunn leave the MCU?
A. Alan Horn, the Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, announced that they ended their partnership with James due to his inappropriate comments on Twitter.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer is still significant to him. However, he has also called himself “anti-religion” in certain aspects.
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving MCU?
A. When Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he committed to working only with that company. This means he stopped working on Marvel Studios’ projects. Gunn, who wrote and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, developed strong relationships with the cast members during that time.
