James Gunn’s 2019 film Brightburn presented a dark twist on the Superman origin story, focusing on a malevolent child with superpowers instead of a heroic one. After viewing the latest Superman movie, fans noticed striking similarities in plot elements that suggest Gunn may have repurposed aspects of Brightburn for this new take on the iconic character. The connection centers around a sinister message from space that shapes the protagonist’s destiny, a key motif in both films.
In Brightburn, a spaceship arrives carrying a baby from an evil version of Krypton. The spacecraft emits a chilling message: “Take the world.” This phrase becomes engraved in young Brandon Breyer’s mind while he is hidden away in a barn, driving him toward a path of destruction as he unleashes devastating heat vision upon those around him. The influence of this ominous command directs Brandon into becoming the dark threat his home planet intended him to be.
Dark Signals and Their Impact on Character Paths
This brief but haunting line from the spaceship not only dictates Brandon’s behavior but also raises the stakes within Brightburn. A similar device is found in the newest Superman film, revealing that despite their very different tones, these stories share a critical narrative tool. After a major battle in Metropolis where Superman, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific repel a monstrous creature, it is uncovered that a message from Superman’s parents, long symbolizing hope, has been manipulated.
Lex Luthor’s interference alters the transmission, twisting it into a call for domination rather than protection. The corrupted message commands:
Do us proud, our beloved son. Rule without mercy.
—Lex Luthor, villain
This alteration urges Superman to eliminate any opposition, echoing the dark impetus seen in Brightburn. Lex’s actions place Superman in a conflicted position similar to Brandon Breyer’s destructive path, blurring the lines between heroism and tyranny.
Common Themes Connecting Brightburn and Superman
Both films share numerous Superman origin tropes: an orphaned child with extraordinary powers, flight capabilities, and heat vision. Beyond these familiar traits, the motif of an alien message influencing the character is a significant thread. In Brightburn, that message drives a malevolent course, while in the Superman film, it leads to doubt and despair after being perverted.
Given that James Gunn wrote both projects, it is unsurprising that echoes appear between them. Yet, this raises questions about the creative direction of the new DC Universe (DCU) and whether similar plot points are being recycled across titles, rather than offering entirely fresh interpretations.
Potential Concerns About Reusing Story Elements in the DC Universe
While adapting a well-known comic book character inevitably involves revisiting core themes from the original source material, the extent of overlap here might suggest a tendency toward recycling previous ideas. This is especially notable since Gunn’s Brightburn and the recent Superman share this distinctive use of alien messaging to shape character choices.
Such narrative repetitions might impact the DCU’s future projects by narrowing their storytelling scope. For instance, earlier speculation suggested that another upcoming film, Clayface, could draw inspiration from Gunn’s recent work The Substance, indicating a pattern of reusing similar story concepts across films.
Although some observers might view these connections as overanalysis, others might find it surprising that the Warner Bros. production team did not question the duplication of plot devices more thoroughly. After over a decade of following superhero cinematic universes, many audiences expect innovation rather than revisiting older ideas disguised in new packaging.
Brightburn remains available to stream on Starz, providing viewers with the opportunity to compare it firsthand with the evolving DCU adaptations.
