How James Gunn’s Superman Characters Should Really Look

Contains spoilers for “Superman”

Previously, the latest live appearance of Superman occurred in various cameos within the 2023 film, “The Flash”. This suggested that the DC Extended Universe was veering off course and required some adjustments. However, with James Gunn and Peter Safran now leading DC Studios, the first movie of the revamped DC Universe will be none other than “Superman.

Since he’s DC’s most famous character, it’s logical to give him a new twist following Henry Cavill’s portrayal. However, David Corenswet, donning the blue and red suit, isn’t merely continuing Henry Cavill’s portrayal. Instead, there are numerous decades of comic books, animated shows, and films that provide inspiration for his character, as is the case with most characters in the film.

There’s no doubt that each fresh take on a character will bring about some variations. Some align well with the universe established by director James Gunn, while others might fall short and leave fans yearning for a touch more depth. Nevertheless, here’s what the cast of “Superman” could’ve resembled based on the most popular portrayals of these characters throughout comic book history.

Superman

In contemporary culture, Superman is one of the most iconic figures we recognize easily. He’s usually depicted with black hair, a front curl, a muscular build, and attired in blue and red with an eye-catching “S” emblem at the center. David Corenswet captures this look remarkably well, as if he was specifically designed to play this role. When he transforms into Superman, everything seems flawlessly fitting. However, there’s a slight difference in the design of the “S” symbol that may catch some fans by surprise. It shares similarities with the emblem worn by Superman in the “Kingdom Come” comic series, penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Alex Ross. Instead of being a single, distinct “S,” the bottom part of the symbol gradually blends into the lower half of the frame.

In the creation of “Superman,” it’s evident that James Gunn drew inspiration from “Kingdom Come” in some aspects, as one of the minor details points towards a nod by Mark Waid (an Easter egg). However, let’s focus on Clark Kent’s appearance. He’s designed to appeal to the younger generation, known as Gen Z, with his trendy broccoli hairstyle – a style that is currently fashionable among young people today. This modification sets him apart from previous versions of Clark Kent and reinforces the concept that Superman, even with his hypnotic glasses, remains unrecognizable to others.

Corenswet’s Accuracy Score: 7 out of 10 — In essence, when you gaze upon Corenswet, he embodies Superman. However, he faces stiff competition from a rich legacy of live-action Supermen like George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Tom Welling, Henry Cavill, and numerous others. Despite any differences, this affords him the opportunity to infuse the iconic character with his distinct style.

Lois Lane

Lois Lane boasts a rich comics legacy marked by minor variations throughout time. However, it’s always clear when you’re gazing upon Lois. She is a fearless journalist for The Daily Planet, known for her distinctive charm. Her hair can be either short or long, depending on the specific illustration. What sets her apart is her affection for the color purple. Many of her iconic ensembles feature this hue, and in certain depictions, even her eyes are purple, as seen in “Superman: The Animated Series.

Rachel Brosnahan doesn’t actually possess violet eyes; such a feature might be somewhat disconcerting and hint at her wearing color-tinted contact lenses for some unexplained reason. Nevertheless, every other aspect of her character aligns perfectly with the classic portrayal of Lois Lane. Throughout the movie, she dons various outfits, but it’s worth noting that she wears a striking purple blouse during the film’s finale following Metropolis’ salvation. Although she doesn’t sport a superhero costume like some other characters in the film, there’s no denying that she embodies this era’s Lois Lane.

Title Score: Accuracy of Portrayal – 9/10

David Corenswet or Rachel Brosnahan, with their natural appearances, seem perfectly suited to portray Lois Lane as depicted in numerous comic book versions. However, if future DC projects introduce superpowers for Lois Lane (a concept seen previously in the comics), that would present a different challenge.

Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor, a well-known character, is particularly recognized by his baldness. This trait has been attributed to various reasons in comic books, ranging from scientific accidents to plain male pattern baldness. Nicholas Hoult convincingly embodies this feature, and it’s evident throughout “Superman” that the portrayal of Lex in this movie leans towards a ruthless business tycoon.

In every scene, you’ll find Lex always adorned in formal attire. Whether he’s remotely commanding Ultraman or endangering someone’s life while Superman is locked up, Lex maintains a keen sense of fashion. This sets him apart from the other metahumans who sport more vibrant and distinctive costumes. Despite his comic and cartoon portrayals donning a warsuit to fight Superman, Hoult’s Lex prefers to stay aloof, leaving the action to Ultraman and Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), while he remains secure in his ivory tower.

Appreciated Aspect of Lex Luthor’s Depiction: One aspect I admire in this portrayal of Lex Luthor is that he’s bald from the start, without the need to initially give him hair like in the Gene Hackman and Jesse Eisenberg versions, only to make him bald later. This baldness suits him, and perhaps it triggers a slight envy towards Superman for his strong, full head of hair.

Guy Gardner

In the series “Superman,” Guy Gardner, portrayed by Nathan Fillion, is greatly admired by fans and does an excellent job embodying the character’s spirit. He plays the role with a hot-headed and somewhat boisterous demeanor, but beneath this tough exterior lies a deep affection for his friends. In appearance, he sports the iconic bowl cut associated with the character, though Fillion’s hair is lighter in color compared to the typical red or even orange hair of comic book Guy. Additionally, comic Guy is generally more muscular than Fillion’s portrayal, although it could be argued that his muscles are simply hidden under his costume.

In the movie, all Green Lanterns have the ability to craft their unique green attire using their power rings. However, Guy Gardner stands out with a suit in green, white, and blue. This outfit fits the narrative since he’s part of the Justice League, backed by Max Lord (played by Sean Gunn) and LordTech. As it’s a corporate costume, it shares some resemblance to his teammates. It would have been interesting if his jacket had a more distinct style, like the one with the oversized, stand-up collar that he usually wears.

Guy Gardner’s Portrayal by John Fillion: While some might recognize John Fillion with a bowl cut as Guy Gardner, there were several aspects that could have made his character even more distinct. A redder hair color and a more fashionable jacket would have significantly enhanced the character. It seems the DC Universe might be reserving a more comic-accurate look for the upcoming “Lanterns” series on HBO Max.

Hawkgirl

In a departure from the original comics, the character portrayed by Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, named Kendra Saunders, sports a costume that differs significantly from the traditional one. Her helmet is faithful to the comic version, but the rest of her attire resembles a LordTech suit with gold accents. Typically, she is shown wearing a golden crop top and green/black leggings. Contrary to the comics, this new costume is predominantly white. An interesting point to note is that James Gunn has confirmed that Kendra’s wings are organic rather than artificial, which was different in the comics. This raises questions as to why her wings aren’t always visible, suggesting she might have the ability to hide them or retract them into her body.

From my perspective as a fan, it’s worth noting her stature too. Hawkgirl’s height varies across different portrayals, but typically, she towers alongside other Justice League members who are quite tall. Yet, in the movie “Superman,” Merced stands at just 5’1″, making her seem shorter compared to others. This discrepancy may not significantly affect her character, as size isn’t everything, but if she were to join the Justice League in the DCU, she might appear smaller than her fellow team members.

As a gaming enthusiast reviewing Superman, I’d rate Accuracy Man at 6/10 when it comes to Hawkgirl. The changes made to her character in this movie are primarily due to her association with LordTech within the Justice Gang. By the end, they appear to have gone rogue, so a future adaptation could potentially see Hawkgirl donning a more comic-accurate outfit. Height isn’t much of an issue overall, and it’s just great that she’s sporting her helmet and mace in the film. The rest can be fine-tuned later on.

Mister Terrific

In this Justice League group, Mister Terrific (played by Edi Gathegi) appears on screen more than any other character, which could be why his appearance closely resembles that of his comic book counterpart. He’s almost a carbon copy, with the distinctive “T” emblem prominently displayed on his face. Although he shares a LordTech suit with Guy and Kendra, Mister Terrific sets himself apart by donning his “Fair Play” jacket, a staple of his comic book character design. This jacket signifies Mister Terrific moving away from being a hero who caters to corporations, as he wears it when he decides to assist Lois Lane in uncovering the truth about Superman’s fate.

In some versions of the character, there is a metal stud in his ear that interacts with his mask to manage his T-Spheres, making them respond instantly to his orders. Yet, this ear accessory isn’t frequently seen in portrayals of Mister Terrific, so it may not be significant to focus too much on its presence or absence.

Man’s Accuracy Score: 9 out of 10 — Mister Terrific could very well be the most faithful portrayal of a character similar to Superman that we currently have. His appearance is fantastic, and his jacket suits him perfectly. We are eagerly anticipating seeing more of this character in the DC Universe in the future.

Metamorpho

As a gamer immersed in the world of Superman, I find myself captivated by the role of Metamorpho, played by Anthony Carrigan. In this version, Lex Luthor turns Metamorpho into a living weapon, using his ability to transform his body into kryptonite – a substance that weakens Superman when he’s imprisoned. This adaptation is an exciting nod to Rex Mason, the comic book character known as Metamorpho, who possesses the power to morph his body into any element, be it solid or gas. Just like his counterpart, my character in this story has a distinct color scheme: a stark white face and a torso split between vibrant shades of orange and purple.

In contrast, the movie version of Metamorpho exhibits a greater depth in his skin texture, while comic book Metamorpho typically has a smoother appearance due to being a two-dimensional drawing. Additionally, Metamorpho’s attire in “Superman” seems more like basketball shorts instead of the traditional black trunks he usually wears. However, when his lower body doesn’t take the form of useful tentacles or a cloud of dust, that’s when he appears in this new outfit.

Score for Accuracy in portraying Man: 7/10 – Metamorpho offers an excellent approach to transform a peculiar character into a live-action environment. The movie “Superman” fearlessly embraces its comic book roots, which is commendable as it didn’t feel compelled to make Metamorpho appear more conventional for a grounded feel. The coloring of the character is impressive, and while the rougher appearance departs from the original source material, it aligns well with the concept that his skin can change shape.

Jimmy Olsen

In the updated version of “Superman,” Jimmy Olsen, portrayed by Skyler Gisondo, is no longer just Clark Kent’s loyal sidekick. He’s a self-reliant journalist, distinct from his role as a photographer. He plays a crucial part in gathering the evidence needed to bring down Lex Luthor. It’s likely that many find him attractive, perhaps because he’s not dressed in the style of the 1940s anymore.

In this portrayal, you won’t find a bow tie. Instead, he resembles modern comic versions of Jimmy Olsen. His appearances stay in line with contemporary times. Gisondo doesn’t quite match the iconic redhead look of the original Jimmy; his hair is more of a messy blonde shade. However, the most significant difference lies in the absence of a camera accompanying him everywhere. In the movie’s storyline, photos play a pivotal role, but they are supplied by Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio), who sends him incriminating selfies revealing Lex Luthor’s plans with Boravia.

Score for Accuracy as Man Playing Jimmy Olsen: 7/10 — Gisondo closely resembles how one might visualize a live-action version of Jimmy Olsen from comics. He carries a youthful charm, yet displays a more mature romantic appeal than previously portrayed. However, this evaluation focuses on the character’s physical likeness to the comic counterpart rather than their relationship status. Despite not having a camera, Gisondo captures the essence of traditional Jimmy Olsen appearances, even though his role in the new movie appears somewhat different.

The Engineer

In comic books, Angela Spica, known as The Engineer, exhibits the most contrasting transformation compared to Superman. Unlike Superman, Angela’s blood is infused with nanites, which gives her the ability to shape-shift her body into whatever she requires, be it a weapon or jetpack. Her body is consistently covered in a liquid metal that makes her appear as if she’s made of silver and metal.

In the comic “Superman,” the character who underwent a similar process now has assistance from Lex this time around. Despite this aid, her appearance has dramatically changed. Firstly, it’s evident that she retains a human-like face. Unlike before, not all of her is cloaked in nanites simultaneously, which might facilitate easier emotional expression. However, the sections of her body enclosed by nanites are now black instead of silver, resembling a suit that can morph into tools such as buzzsaws or other devices to combat Superman when needed.

Humanity Shines Through in Engineer’s Transformative Role

Engineer’s Score: 4/10 — While she possesses an array of powers, it’s undeniable that the character, as portrayed, leans more towards a robotic appearance. Essentially, she embodies a Terminator-like figure with her adaptable metal structure, effortlessly interfacing with sophisticated technology. However, in “Superman”, Engineer exhibits similar abilities, but James Gunn seems to be highlighting her underlying humanity beneath the nanites. Given that she belongs to the Authority, set for its own film which Gunn has termed a personal endeavor, we can anticipate more of her in the coming days, and perhaps by then, more of her body may have been influenced by the nanites.

Krypto

Leaving Superman’s companions behind without mentioning the kindest canine of them all – Krypto. He’s not just any pet that Superman takes care of; Krypto is a significant deviation from previous representations. Typically, Krypto, being an alien dog, has always had a Labrador Retriever-like appearance. Though you could call him a Lab mix, he’s usually larger than the average dog, the kind you’d want by your side for missions due to his imposing figure that suggests strength.

In the “Superman” series, Krypto appears noticeably smaller and seems to be a blend of various breeds with an unkempt coat. His wild nature is evident as he recklessly jumps on Superman following a battle with the Hammer of Boravia. Despite his untamed behavior, he retains his iconic red cape, adding an adorable touch that we can’t help but find endearing.

Krypto’s Unique Appearance: Krypto, in this new iteration, deviates somewhat from past versions, but there’s a heartwarming backstory that justifies this change. As James Gunn revealed to NPR, he based Krypto on his own dog, Ozu, who was rescued from a hoarder’s home. This unique feature, Krypto’s wonky ear, is a nod to Ozu and serves as a testament to the fact that alterations from the original material aren’t always arbitrary; they can stem from personal experiences and creative decisions made with intention.

2025-07-14 22:32