How James Gunn’s Superman Reverses Henry Cavill’s DCEU Hero

As a die-hard gamer, I can’t wait to dive into James Gunn’s fresh take on the DC Universe on the silver screen! This time around, it seems we’re getting a more traditional portrayal of Superman, moving away from the debatable version played by Henry Cavill in the DC Extended Universe. In this new chapter, David Corenswet’s Superman appears to be embodying the classic Superman persona much more closely. A recent trailer scene offers a stark contrast to the second DCEU film, promising an exciting departure from the previous storyline.

It might seem unusual to compare “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “James Gunn’s Superman,” but their storylines could share some similarities. Interestingly, the portrayal of Superman as an outlaw mirrors how Batman was depicted in the former film. This switch-up in characterization for Superman within the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) echoes a specific period in Superman’s history and even brings to mind a scene from “Dawn of Justice.

Superman Saw Batman as a Violent Vigilante In the DCEU

Superman’s Heroism Was Much Different Than That of Ben Affleck’s Batman

In the DC Extended Universe, Superman’s personality deviated from the usual portrayal, with the Man of Tomorrow showing a degree of hesitance about revealing his identity. His character often carried a heavy, melancholic undertone and he seemed most at ease when in the presence of his mother or Lois Lane.

Although he possessed immense power, he was generally perceived as a positive force by many, but there were exceptions, such as Bruce Wayne or Batman, who initially viewed him as a potential source of destruction. Interestingly, Superman wasn’t particularly fond of Batman either, primarily due to the latter’s aggressive approach towards dealing with criminality.

Clark had previously witnessed the results of Batman’s efforts in combating crime within Gotham City, as tensions escalated significantly. A homeless man in the Ultimate Edition of the film described the city as having a “new brand of cruelty,” with this growing hostility leading to numerous violent and often fatal encounters, which were unseen by the audience but were presumed to be linked to the (off-screen) death of Robin.

Clark discussed this matter with Bruce Wayne, pointing out that Batman believes he’s exempt from the law. It’s quite puzzling considering Superman is also a vigilante, but the main distinction lies in Batman’s more brutal actions. Superman decided to confront Batman directly due to these reasons, though it was later discovered that much of their rivalry was orchestrated by him.

The Newest Superman Trailer Makes Him Anti-Authority

David Corenswet’s Superman Doesn’t Need Permission to Do the Right Thing

A fresh trailer for James Gunn’s revamp of Superman has been unveiled recently, following his announcement late last year about revitalizing the stagnant DC Extended Universe. His aim is to depict many DC characters in a manner more familiar to fans and viewers, deviating less from their traditional portrayals as compared to the DCEU’s unconventional approach.

David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman features the traditional briefs, along with visual and storytelling elements inspired by the Richard Donner films, Silver Age comics, and the contemporary interpretation found in “All-Star Superman”. As a result, Corenswet’s and Cavill’s versions of Superman differ significantly, as evidenced by the more pronounced actions of the former. Interestingly, this resembles the characterization of the DCEU Batman in a comparable manner.

He portrays himself as someone who consistently does what’s morally right, disregarding others’ opinions. However, these actions often land him in significant conflicts, particularly with global authorities. In some aspects, this resembles Batman’s self-perception as operating beyond the law in the DC Extended Universe. A key distinction is that Superman refrains from physically harming those who oppose him. Instead, he emanates a more optimistic demeanor, especially towards those he assists.

Despite rescuing trafficking victims from their captors, Affleck’s Batman was still viewed as a “devil” and seen in a negative light by them. Batman regarded the beatings he inflicted on criminals as essential to justice, which made his actions understandable. Although Superman doesn’t act at the same level within the DCU, he employs similar self-righteousness to justify his own disregard for the law.

The people Batman saved from captivity still called him a “devil” because of how they saw him. Batman thought that beating up criminals was part of justice, and this made what he did acceptable. Superman doesn’t act like Batman does in the DCU, but he thinks it’s okay to break the law when he does, just like Batman does.

In the movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Superman was depicted intervening against foreign criminals or oppression, and here he confronted an African terrorist who had murdered Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen, who was secretly a CIA agent. This seems like a deliberate contrast to the DCEU’s portrayal of Superman, as in this new version by Gunn, it is Superman who adopts an anti-authoritarian stance rather than Batman. While the traditional image of Batman has always been that of a rebellious figure, this time it’s Superman who takes on that role, questioning authority and drawing boundaries against military intrusion into his personal life, which was hinted at but not fully explored in the DCEU.

In the universe of DC Comics, an action taken by Superman that leads to an international crisis while saving innocent lives might not earn him much favor with world governments. However, this act reinforces Gunn’s portrayal of Superman as a hero who always does what is right, regardless of the consequences. This unwavering heroism stands in stark contrast to previous portrayals of Superman as hesitant. Moreover, it reflects a characteristic that was present in Superman when he first appeared in the 1930s.

James Gunn’s Superman Actually Homages the Golden Age

David Corenswet’s Superman Isn’t Merely a Silver Age or Donnerverse Retread

James Gunn’s version of Superman draws heavily on the hero’s Silver Age comic books and elements from the ’70s/’80s. Additionally, it incorporates aspects from various other versions and periods of the character, with his costume bearing a resemblance to the design of the New 52 comic book reboot that was released in 2011.

In this story, both his adoptive parents are still living, which, combined with the portrayal of the character, brings to mind the Superman mythology post-“Crisis on Infinite Earths”. However, it’s the Silver Age that has the most significant impact, particularly in terms of overall style and color scheme. Interestingly, some crucial yet often overlooked aspects of Superman’s history are being explored here, and they contribute to the movie’s reinterpretation of elements from “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.

In a different portrayal, Superman was more of an everyday man, deeply involved in people’s struggles such as labor disputes and unscrupulous landlords. His encounters at this time were primarily domestic issues, with high-tech threats like mad scientists, giant robots, kryptonite-powered cyborgs yet to emerge. During the Great Depression era, Superman was more preoccupied with human conflicts, even pushing two generals to the brink of a fatal duel to force them to end their wars. This version of the character resurfaced in the latest “Absolute Superman” comic books, which are set in an alternate universe continuity known as the “Absolute Universe,” established in 2024.

Strengthening this bond is a particular scene in the fresh movie, where we find ourselves in the fictional nation depicted in the Superman trailer, known as Boravia. This land first appeared in the second issue of any published Superman monthly comic book. Therefore, the links to the Golden Age are robust, indicating that Superman assists the common folk just as much as he tackles larger issues. The manner in which it’s presented addresses contemporary problems, all while remaining true to Superman’s mythological vernacular.

In comparison, the portrayal of events in Gunn’s work feels much more genuine than the scene set in Africa during Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice within the DCEU. This is because it showcases less cynicism. Even the depiction of Superman reminiscent of the Silver Age in the DCU seems truer to life compared to Henry Cavill’s portrayal in Snyder’s version, which employed obscure aspects from the hero’s history to explain certain modifications. It appears that Gunn is aiming for a more relatable version of Superman, one who isn’t hesitant to stir up controversy if it means safeguarding innocent people.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.

2025-05-18 18:37