Superman Movie Breaks Tradition: Lois Lane Already Knows Clark’s Secret!

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In James Gunn’s upcoming Superman reboot set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, the famous “Lois doesn’t know” twist will be unexpectedly dropped. This break from tradition where Lois gradually figures out Clark’s true identity offers a refreshing change.

The actress playing Lois Lane, Rachel Brosnahan, revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that when the movie begins, Lois and Clark (played by David Corenswet) are not casually dating; instead, they’re well into a serious relationship. Moreover, Lois is already aware of Clark’s secret identity as Superman, and they’ve been together for quite some time. Director Gunn opts to skip the initial flirtatiousness and the tense moments of discovery, and instead, the film starts in the midst of their established storyline.

In this film adaptation by Gunn, a pivotal decision has reshaped the heartfelt essence of the Superman storyline. Consequently, there is no protracted anticipation regarding Lois Lane’s realization that her colleague, lover, and Metropolis’ super-powered protector are the same individual. Furthermore, this alteration dispenses with the frequently repeated trope in superhero narratives where romantic partners struggle to trust due to secrets being kept.

Instead, the movie appears to revolve around how a transparent relationship endures as Superman moves center stage, confronting political mistrust, squaring off against Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult), and managing a world where metahumans have been publicly recognized for 300 years.

Gunn specifically focuses on the duo’s strong bond of trust. Unlike in previous movies where the plot was driven by suspense and mystery surrounding identity, this time Gunn assumes that viewers are mature enough to understand that Lois is already aware, which allows the narrative to shift towards what happens next.

Superman Actors Describe Their Characters’ Dynamic With Each Other

In the initial shoot for the movie, the scene showcasing Lois and Clark’s relationship dynamic was the one chosen, which was also the scene that Brosnahan and Corenswet acted out during their chemistry tests prior to being cast in the Summer of 2023. Brosnahan shared with Entertainment Weekly:

We encounter them at a stage of their relationship that has lasted approximately three months, which is the time when one might ponder, “Was this an exceptional short-term romance or is this something deeper and potentially lifelong?

In simpler terms, when Brosnahan says the famous comic book duo have been in a relationship for around three months before the movie begins, this establishes a past relationship that provides a stable base for introducing fresh emotional conflicts and critical decisions.

The scene not only outlines the progression of Lois and Clark’s romantic history but also explores a significant aspect that Brosnahan terms as “foundational.” In the sequence, Lois confronts her journalist beau regarding the ethical dilemmas surrounding him interviewing Superman, given they are essentially the same person. To resolve this issue, Lois proposes an on-the-record interview with Clark in his role as the legendary superhero. According to Brosnahan, this discussion soon escalates into a heartfelt exchange. In her conversation with EW, Brosnahan expresses that this is one of her favorite aspects of their love story.

In a unique blend, they seem to tap into their extraordinary personas, yet their relationship is deeply rooted in genuine affection. Though she may not label it as such just yet, there’s evident care between them. In the context of this conversation, you have Lois Lane, an acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and Superman, who we’re here to discuss. Both characters are passionate about their positions in that particular scene, a quality I admire in their love narrative. Despite having contrasting perspectives, they complement each other perfectly and rely on one another.

As per Corenswet’s statement in the same Entertainment Weekly article, this conversation between the two characters differs significantly from a well-known Superman interview scene featuring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. This unique exchange carries its own set of emotional consequences.

In a different scenario, it’s not as if the interview in the film “Donner” where Lois is unaware of Clark’s true identity. Instead, she is well-informed about him, which puts him in a precarious situation because he is deeply smitten by this woman and yearns for her to grasp his essence, admire him, and return his affection.

Clark & Lois’ Relationship in Previous Iterations

In contrast to earlier Superman movies and shows, the dynamics of this couple are strikingly different. Unlike the films featuring Reeve and Kidder, where Lois didn’t discover Clark’s secret until the second movie in their series (1980’s “Superman II”), or the ABC series from 1993 to 1997 (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”) where Lois (played by Teri Hatcher) only learned about Clark (Dean Cain) being Superman in the Season 2 finale, leading to their separation in Season 3 due to her distrust over his secret identity, things are different here.

The Superman persona’s extended story arc in the popular WB/CW series “Smallville,” airing from 2001 to 2011, culminated with Tom Welling’s character Clark and Erica Durance’s Lois being introduced as a recurring character in Season 4. Unlike other characters on this lengthy series like ex-girlfriend Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), childhood friend Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack), and even adversary Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum, who later became an enemy to Clark), Lois doesn’t figure out Clark’s secret identity until the Season 9 finale.

Over the years, I’ve found myself captivated by various adaptations of Superman. In some tales, it takes a while for Lois to uncover Clark’s secret identity. But that wasn’t the case in recent stories like ‘Man of Steel’ (2013) where I was alongside Amy Adams as she followed Clark on an assignment and eventually discovered his true self. More recently, in the CW series ‘Superman & Lois’ (2021-2024), the story starts off with me already married to Clark and having known his secret for years, played by Elizabeth Tulloch and Tyler Hoechlin respectively.

Gunn’s film appears to follow a similar narrative direction as that of “Superman & Lois,” yet it focuses on an earlier stage in their well-known relationship.

What This Means for Superman’s Story & Fans

With a couple who are already acquainted, Gunn skips over the initial stages of investigation or uncomfortable encounters. Instead, he concentrates on creating significant dramatic conflict by exploring how Lois handles catastrophic threats to the world. He also delves into the challenges they face in maintaining a relationship when their perspectives differ greatly, particularly as a hero and a journalist. Furthermore, he examines how their bond is stretched under circumstances that could fundamentally change the world.

Instead of rehashing old tropes, Gunn’s interpretation carves a unique path, offering viewers a refreshing twist on an established narrative. By shifting Lois from a reporter in the shadows to Clark’s equal partner in love, this approach poses an intriguing question: With their traditional conflict vanished, will they navigate future challenges together? Cinephiles eagerly await James Gunn’s Superman, premiering in cinemas in July.

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2025-06-17 21:34