James Gunn’s latest Superman film offers a refreshing portrayal of the character, with David Corenswet’s Clark Kent fully embracing his human life and duties as a Daily Planet reporter. Released recently, this new take contrasts with Henry Cavill’s version by presenting a Superman who integrates more deeply with society, including his role at the iconic newspaper. Despite the strong performances of Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, the film underutilizes the broader Daily Planet staff, an element that could be expanded to enrich the DC Universe moving forward.
The Limited Role of Daily Planet’s Supporting Cast in Superman
In contrast to previous films like Man of Steel and Superman Returns, James Gunn’s Superman gives the Daily Planet a more significant presence within its story. The newspaper breaks the crucial plotline about Lex Luthor’s (Nicholas Hoult) dangerous ambitions, marking the publication as a key player in the unfolding events. While Lois Lane’s journalistic integrity is explored through her struggle to maintain truthful reporting despite her romantic connection to Clark, many of the Daily Planet team members receive little narrative focus.
Characters such as Perry White (Wendell Pierce) are portrayed as ethical and thoughtful leaders, navigating the challenges of covering Superman’s controversial presence. Jimmy Olsen’s undercover efforts through his relationship with Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio), Luthor’s girlfriend, provide some thrilling exposé moments. Yet, familiar figures like Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett), Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover), and Ron Troupe (Christopher McDonald) are noticeably sidelined, missing opportunities for development and meaningful involvement.
This truncated treatment of the broader Daily Planet staff is understandable considering the movie balances introducing new characters, including members of the Justice Gang. However, a dedicated series centered on the newspaper could offer rich character arcs and deeper storytelling opportunities for these supporting cast members. It would also explore how the Daily Planet has evolved within a world familiar with metahumans for decades.
The film establishes that Earth’s population has known about metahumans for over thirty years, setting a unique context for Superman’s story. This backdrop raises intriguing questions about how Daily Planet reporters have adapted their approach to journalism amid supernatural and extraterrestrial occurrences. Their history of supporting Jarhanpur against the politically allied Boravia signals a willingness to address sensitive geopolitical conflicts, weaving real-world parallels into the DC Universe’s narrative fabric.
“You’re going to meet new characters.”
—James Gunn, Director
Why the Daily Planet’s Perspective Matters in the DC Universe
Superman highlights the press’s influence on public perception, particularly through a pivotal scene where Lex Luthor’s appearance on a talk show hosted by a right-wing commentator (Michael Ian Black) incites fear of Superman. This sequence illustrates how media can shape societal reactions and sway opinions. The Daily Planet’s investigative efforts to expose Luthor’s criminal intentions serve as a form of heroism paralleling Superman’s own actions.
Considering the DC Universe is populated by numerous metahumans beyond Superman, a Daily Planet-focused series could provide valuable insights into characters yet to be fully introduced. Journalists like Steve Lombard and Cat Grant, who lack exhaustive knowledge of the wider universe, could function as audience surrogates, uncovering complex storylines alongside viewers. The prospect of intertwining such a series with cameos from established DCU figures adds further appeal, as brief appearances by Peacemaker (John Cena) and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) have already provided standout moments.
The existing cast from Superman is well suited for transition to television. Wendell Pierce’s commanding presence, proven in series like Jack Ryan and The Wire, would anchor the show effectively, while Skyler Gisondo’s television experience enhances the potential for dynamic ensemble storytelling. Introducing new guest stars and lesser-known DC Comics characters would broaden the narrative possibilities, appealing to fans eager for both familiarity and fresh content.
Superman has been praised for embracing the comic book source material’s eccentricities without apology. While packing an entire DC Comics history into a sequel might be impractical, focusing on the Daily Planet through a show could gradually reveal the franchise’s expansive world. Such a series would deepen viewers’ connection to DC’s mythology, providing a deliberate, thoughtful unveiling of its intricacies and maintaining audience engagement over time.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, Marvel let go of James Gunn after some of his old tweets with offensive jokes about serious topics resurfaced, causing public anger. Everything shifted for him that July.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. In Gunn’s 2025 version of Superman, Ozu inspired the new CGI-animated look for Krypto the Superdog. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer significant. However, he also feels he is “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up Catholic in Manchester, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. He has five siblings: Sean, an actor; Matt, an actor and political writer; Brian, a screenwriter; Patrick; and Beth. Gunn’s family background is Irish, with his father being from an Irish immigrant lineage.
