James Gunn reveals his vision of an imperfect Superman, highlighting the hero's humanity and vulnerability.
In the new Superman film from DC Studios, writer-director James Gunn emphasizes the “human” side of the iconic Man of Steel, presenting a version of Superman who is far from perfect. The movie, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, explores the emotional complexity behind the Kryptonian’s powerful exterior. When villain Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, crudely labels him an alien, Superman responds firmly, “I’m as human as anyone,” highlighting Gunn’s intent to focus on the hero’s vulnerability and moral struggles.
Authenticity Through Human Imperfections
Gunn has openly rejected the idea of an infallible Superman, stressing that nobody, not even the hero himself, is flawless. He explained on the Picturehouse podcast,
“I didn’t want a Superman who was perfect in any way. Nobody’s perfect,”
and added,
“Even Superman loses his temper, even Superman throws the desk across the room with Lex.”
This outburst occurs in a key scene where Superman finds Lex Luthor at LuthorCorp, furious after Luthor steals Supergirl’s dog Krypto and destroys several of Superman’s robots. While Gunn acknowledges this reaction may not be entirely justified, he defends it as an expression of Superman’s deep care and genuine emotions:
“I like that even the things that he does that are imperfect are because of the goodness and pureness of his heart.”
Superman’s Emotional Struggles in Public and Private
Another significant moment involves Superman losing his temper during a live interview with Lois Lane, portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan. Lois challenges him publicly over his decision to intervene in the ongoing conflict between the fictional countries Boravia and Jarhanpur. In defense, Superman shouts, “People were going to die!” reflecting the intensity and urgency behind his choices. Speaking about this scene, Gunn shared,
Image of: James Gunn
“I was really excited with the interview scene of Clark and Lois actually talking about their real lives and the way they approach the world, and what their morals are, and what their differences are, and really seeing those in a human way,”
adding,
“Not taking anything away from who Superman is as an icon, just getting to know him from a different point of view. That’s exciting and fun to me.”
A Physically Vulnerable Superman
Unlike previous portrayals of Superman as invincible, Gunn presents a hero who is physically battered and emotionally raw. The film opens moments after Superman’s first defeat at the hands of the Hammer of Boravia, a secret clone named Ultraman created by Lex Luthor. The injured hero is shown crashing into the snow outside the Fortress of Solitude, bloodied and beaten. Gunn explained the creative choice behind this image:
“I think that one of the things early on that I thought of was just the idea of Superman with a little bit of blood coming out of his mouth,”
and added,
“I was like, ‘That’s an image we haven’t really focused on before,’ and I wanted to see that.”
Balancing Iconic Symbolism with Real-World Emotion
Gunn’s portrayal offers a Superman who embodies both hope and humanity, straying from the untouchable Superman archetype to create a more relatable character. By highlighting flaws such as anger, doubt, and vulnerability, the film invites audiences to see the Man of Steel as not just a near-mythic figure but someone who struggles with the same emotions as any person. This approach aims to deepen the connection between viewers and the character, making his heroic actions more impactful because they come from a place of genuine moral complexity.
Impact on the Superman Legacy and Future DC Films
The new Superman film is already drawing attention for its fresh take on the legendary character, inviting debate about the traditional image versus a more nuanced portrayal. This shift may influence how future DC Universe movies depict their heroes, embracing imperfection as a way to add depth to larger-than-life figures. With James Gunn steering this direction, audiences can expect further exploration of heroes’ internal conflicts in upcoming stories. Currently, the Superman movie is exclusively playing in theaters, positioning itself as a key chapter in the evolving DC Studios narrative.
