Superman has long been regarded as the pinnacle of strength among DC superheroes, often portrayed in comics with nearly limitless power. However, James Gunn’s vision for Clark Kent presents a more restrained and realistic version of the Man of Steel, one who is not invincible or omnipotent. Unlike previous interpretations where Superman could reverse time or annihilate entire solar systems effortlessly, Gunn’s Superman faces significant challenges and vulnerabilities, as seen in the film’s opening scene where David Corenswet’s Superman is incapacitated and requires help from Krypto to return home.
In a discussion on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Gunn elaborated on his decision to avoid making Superman overwhelmingly powerful at the start of his story. His portrayal centers on a younger, less experienced Clark Kent who is still learning to balance his Kryptonian heritage with his humanity while navigating the early days of his crime-fighting journey. Gunn expressed that having an all-powerful hero diminishes tension and reduces the impact of the narrative, making it difficult for other characters and threats in the universe to feel meaningful or dangerous.
“We deal with, you know, he’s strong, but he’s not as strong as he was. He can’t… punch through a planet, like sometimes he gets to be that strong. I don’t want him to be that strong. Yeah. This is a difficult thing with Superman fans. Most people, when they say why do they like Batman more than Superman, it’s because Superman is just too powerful. There’s no stakes. But a lot of Superman fans, not most, but a lot, like the fact that he can beat up God. They want the most powerful being in the universe. Not only is it hard to have stakes in a universe where he’s the most powerful, it’s also difficult to make other heroes mean anything at all. You know, how much does Green Lantern mean if Superman can punch through his…”
Gunn highlighted that Superman’s tremendous abilities often create a storytelling problem, stripping away dramatic stakes. He believes this version’s limitations better serve the story’s focus on identity and growth, where Clark must face credible threats that push him beyond his limits without defaulting to raw destructive power.
Expanding the DC Universe with Diverse Heroes and Challenges
Superman’s portrayal as strong but not all-powerful aligns with James Gunn’s larger plans for the DC Universe (DCU), which he co-leads with producer Peter Safran. The character’s journey sets the stage for a wider ensemble of heroes whose stories will develop alongside his. Next year, Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El will take center stage in Craig Gillespie’s upcoming film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, starring Milly Alcock. Meanwhile, John Cena’s character Christopher Smith, known as Peacemaker, returns with the second season of the eponymous series on August 21, further integrating into the revived DCU and facing new adversaries like Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr.
Other projects notably include HBO’s Lanterns series, introducing Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), as well as Andy Muschietti’s highly anticipated Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This broad slate of films and shows illustrates the intent to develop multiple complementary heroes, avoiding a scenario where one character overshadowed all others due to overwhelming power.
Supporting Heroes Share the Spotlight in the New DC Universe
Within the events of the new Superman movie, audiences meet several lesser-known heroes who play vital roles in the evolving DCU. The city of Metropolis relies in part on the Justice Gang, a newer group of heroes featuring Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). Each member is designed to stand out as an individual character with their own stories and significance, rather than simply acting as supporting players in Superman’s narrative.
Plans are already in place to further develop these characters. Guy Gardner is set to appear in the upcoming Lanterns series and the second season of Peacemaker, while Mr. Terrific is reportedly being considered for a dedicated spin-off show. This strategic focus on expanding the DCU’s roster of heroes enhances the universe’s depth and avoids the dilution of tension that might arise from a single hero being invincible.
The Importance of Stakes in Heroic Stories
James Gunn’s deliberate choice to depict Superman with realistic strength reflects a broader storytelling philosophy: heroes need limitations to create meaningful conflict and emotional engagement. By resisting the temptation to showcase Superman at his peak invulnerability and power, Gunn allows audiences to see Clark Kent’s vulnerabilities, struggles, and growth in a more compelling light.
This measured approach also preserves the significance of other characters within the DCU, ensuring that supporting and emerging heroes can contribute their distinct strengths and narratives without being overshadowed. As the DC Universe continues to expand with interconnected films and series, this balance of power among its heroes will maintain a dynamic and engaging storytelling environment.
The new Superman film is currently in theaters, marking the start of James Gunn’s ambitious vision for the DC Universe. Fans can anticipate an array of stories and characters unfolding in the coming years as this rebooted world grows. Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving DC cinematic landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, James Gunn was let go by Marvel when some offensive old tweets of his came to light. These tweets included jokes about sensitive topics like pedophilia, r-pe, and abuse, causing public anger.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu influenced the new CGI-animated version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman remake. Gunn grew up in a Catholic home and still sees prayer as significant in his life. However, he has also expressed being “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family in Manchester, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. He has five siblings: Sean, who is an actor, Matt, an actor and political writer, Brian, a screenwriter, and two others, Patrick and Beth. Gunn’s father came from an Irish immigrant family, so Gunn has Irish roots.
