Image courtesy by WARNER BROS. PICTURES.
Ever since the release of James Gunn‘s Superman the internet has been buzzing. The cast is doing their part – interviews, TikTok trends and more. Dog adoptions have boomed thanks to Krypto the Superdog and his real-life inspiration Ozu. And, of course, the memes are fantastic. Like with every good movie, opinions are divided – not just on the film itself but also on the way James Gunn speaks about it. He first sparked controversy when he called Superman the story of America, describing the hero as „an immigrant that came from other places and populated the country”. MAGA supporters were quick to criticise what, in their eyes, was a „pro-immigrant“ agenda. Since the film’s release, some have even called for boycotts. On the other hand, many are praising the movie for its humour, authenticity and the emphasis on being kind. And of course its number one spot at the box office speaks for itself. So what is the charm of this new “Superman”? Why does it work so well?
It is always interesting when a film is both written and directed by one person, as in those cases one person’s vision shapes every aspect of the final product. Within superhero films, this isn’t Gunn‘s first rodeo in these roles. After his 2010 film Super, he began working with Marvel, most notably writing and directing the Guardians of the Galaxy films. But his work with DC stands out most – unsurprisingly, he was named Co-CEO and Co-Chairman of DC Studios in 2022.
Image courtesy by WARNER BROS. PICTURES.
One of the main things that defines James Gunn’s style is his commitment to the comics. One way to observe this is to look at the contrast between the depiction or Harley Quinn in “ Suicide Squad” from 2016 (written and directed by David Ayer) and “The Suicide Squad” from 2021 (written and directed by James Gunn). Though James Gunn’s Suicide Squad was marketed as a sequel to the 2016 version, the changes in characters, casting and interpretations make you forget about this pretty quickly. The character of Harley Quinn especially contrasts her 2016 version. She is less sexualized, both in her costume and her behaviour, and actually knows what she is doing, instead of just acting hot and crazy and hoping for the best. Gunn finds an effective balance between her 2016 persona, the Birds of Prey (2020) iteration and her comic book roots, which are highlighted the most. This faithfulness to the comic books carries over to Superman too. From resurrecting Superman’s „forgotten“ hypno-glasses to including characters like Dean and Desmond Farr. The respect for the source material is undeniable.
But what stands out the most about James Gunn’s Superman is his revisionist approach to the superhero genre. He doesn’t just follow the superhero formula, he re-evaluates and re-interprets it. He takes the assets of modern superhero films and adds the depth and substance that is often missing in them. The film retains the exciting action sequences, humor, modern special effects (which blessed us with the treasure that is Krypto) and impressive cinematography we expect. However they do not come at the expense of a well thought-through story, as it is often the case. In addition to this, the film is packed with social and political commentary. Whether that is questionable political alliances, manipulating the masses through manufactured disasters or an international military conflict which has been interpreted as an allegory for the Israel-Palestine conflict. Gunn explores how war can benefit people with power and highlights why it’s important not to let that happen. And he does so organically. At no point in the film does it seem performative or too “in your face”. The messaging is woven into the story without distracting from it. If you don’t want to see politics, you don’t have to. But they’re there if you’re paying attention.
Image courtesy by WARNER BROS. PICTURES.
Another way the typical construct of a superhero blockbuster is disrupted is through the structure. For example with a 12-minute argument scene between Superman and Lois Lane which, in Gunn’s own words, was “the biggest risk” he took. Thank god. The dialogue allows a deep insight into the Character of Superman, including his doubts and fears. It makes him human. Which is ultimately the film’s biggest win.
The trend toward revisionist superhero stories has been building for years, as superhero screen media slowly catches up to its predecessor, comic books, on the process of the genre cycle. Films like Deadpool and shows like The Boys parody the genre by questioning the motives, morality and even the skills of their so-called heroes. Especially the last season of The Boys has established it as a political TV show with many, not so subtle, jabs towards American politics. What differentiates Gunn’s approach from the other revisionist superhero media examples is that, despite all the social commentary in the film, the all-American spirit of Superman remains intact and as vibrant as ever. So much so that the White House posted an AI photo of Trump as Superman on their X.
Image courtesy of The official White House X account.
Despite political divisions, people cannot seem to stop themselves from rooting for this interpretation of the iconic hero. Superman is the all-American farm boy who fights for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. He saves animals and kids, cares about world peace and loves his parents deeply. He’s the conservative ideal in image, but not in behaviour. This Superman cries, he cares and he refuses to ignore injustice, even when it happens beyond America’s borders. This humanity makes him all the more interesting to watch. We don’t just root for him. We care for him.
Despite all warnings and “wokeness” accusations, James Gunn has remained persistent in his values and approach. A risk with high reward, as Superman is a box-office success. Because no matter how much social commentary it includes, one thing is clear above everything else: Superman is not a political film; it is a James Gunn film. We get to experience an iconic character, an over-used and therefore overlooked character, through the personal lens of a director with strong opinions about the world and a deep love for superhero stories. What we’re seeing isn’t activism for its own sake. It’s a genuine worldview.
This integration of the auteur theory into the superhero genre helps bring it to life again, as Superman stands strong against the „superhero fatigue“ phenomenon. James Gunn himself said „I don’t believe in superhero fatigue. I think there’s mediocre movie fatigue.“ But that is exactly the point. Recent superhero films have often relied on expensive special effects, an even more expensive star-studded cast, mediocre jokes and many fight scenes to make their movie sell, rather than focusing on telling a story. The resulting films feel more like products than art. And they certainly don’t appear to reflect anyone’s opinions or worldview. Superman manages to break through this pattern masterfully. It combines a well-told story with likeable characters, social commentary, genuine emotion, and a hero who is kind, complex and actually gets laid. The result is a refreshing and entertaining superhero film, which doesn’t require you to turn your brain off to enjoy it. And with James Gunn as one of the current co-CEOs of DC studios it certainly won’t be the last of its kind.
Words by Nina Maria Dahms