Summary
- James Gunn is rebooting the DCU with a new Superman film, but the suit has faced heavy criticism online.
- The new suit design could reflect a return to the classical roots of Superman as an upbeat and optimistic hero.
- Speculation suggests the suit may play a part in a larger narrative arc that could lead to a darker Superman in the future.
As a lifelong fan of Superman and someone who’s spent countless hours debating the finer points of the Man of Steel’s costume design, I can’t help but see a deeper significance in the choice to make the new suit so understated. With my extensive knowledge of comic book lore, I can’t shake off the feeling that this is a deliberate move to set up a stark contrast with the darker, more troubled Superman we might encounter down the line.
Over the past few years, superhero movies have taken on greater significance for audiences beyond merely being big-screen blockbusters. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has enjoyed unparalleled success for many years, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has fallen short by comparison. However, director James Gunn aims to reverse this trend as he works on revitalizing the entire DC Universe (DCU). He plans to initiate this transformation with a new take on Superman, scheduled for release on July 11, 2025.
The upcoming movie introduces a younger rendition of Superman, guiding him through a realm of superheroes. Yet, the film’s idea and announcement stirred up an unexpected whirlwind of criticism and debate due to Henry Cavill being replaced as Superman by David Corenswet. This change was met with resistance, especially considering Cavill’s widespread appeal, both in his role and overall.
Despite widespread criticism and negative sentiment towards the upcoming Superman film, its elements including the new actor and revamped appearance have faced backlash from ardent fans of Cavill and Snyder. Photos of Corenswet in the new suit have sparked disapproval on the internet due to its perceived simplicity, with many viewers finding it uninteresting. However, there’s another perspective that could shed light on this apparent lack of excitement – one that might reveal the dullness of the new Superman suit is intentional and serves a more significant role in the storyline.
What’s Wrong with the New Superman Suit?
So far, we’ve had two significant hints about how David Corenswet’s Superman suit will appear in the movie. The first sneak peek was from the well-known teaser image that showed Kal-El putting on his boots. This image is famous because it provided the first genuine look at Corenswet as Superman, but it has also been widely criticized – though mainly by fans of Snyder and Cavill, who found him looking too casual in the picture, as if he wasn’t in a rush to save anyone.
In the photo, the suit appeared even more realistic and fair, showcasing a darker shade, rough, gritty texture, signs of wear and tear that suggested it had been through battles. Additionally, David Corenswet’s resemblance to Henry Cavill from specific angles added a sense of familiarity, providing solace for fans who were upset about Cavill no longer holding the role.
Initially, the new suit appeared to have numerous appealing aspects based on the initial image. But once fans started seeing Corenswet in the suit during daylight after a series of set photo leaks surfaced, many aspects of the suit changed significantly compared to the teaser image. In other words, the suit looked quite different when it was more visible under natural light.
That kicked off an all-new round of toxic fans going at each other on X over Corenswet, Gunn, the suit, its colors, and its brightness. Seeming like a step backward from the ultra-sleek and darker suits worn by Cavill throughout Superman’s time in the Snyderverse, it didn’t augur well for the new movie and James Gunn’s new vision for the DCU.
The Boring Suit Does Make Sense in Some Ways
Apart from finding it dull and uninteresting, fans were perplexed by Gunn’s choice of suit for the reboot. Many who disapproved of it struggled to comprehend why such a suit was selected. However, considering the hints we’ve received recently about this Superman being a more youthful and tender portrayal of the character, the choice becomes somewhat clearer.
David Corenswet Mentioned Playing Superman Long Before He Got the Role
As someone who has been a fan of superhero movies for as long as I can remember, I was thrilled when David Corenswet announced he would be playing Superman. Having grown up watching Henry Cavill portray the Man of Steel, I couldn’t help but compare the two actors and wonder if Corenswet could live up to Cavill’s performance.
It actually came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me, and my sort of pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman.
Later on, he made it clear that he favored a more refined, gentler interpretation of the character, one that was less brooding compared to Cavill’s portrayal.
“I’m eager to witness a cheerful, modern interpretation of a classic scene, reminiscent of the style Henry Cavill brought to his darker, gritty portrayal. I hope the next depiction will be vibrant and optimistic. Superman is a fantastic character, an iconic American figure. He’s been portrayed excellently and poorly in the past. It’s high time for another well-executed take on him.”
As a diehard movie enthusiast, I’ve always admired the depth and clarity of vision behind iconic characters like Superman. Back when his new suit was unveiled, it struck me as rather ordinary compared to his previous vibrant attire. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it than just a return to his traditional roots as an all-American, squeaky clean hero. Could it be that the simple design hides a grander purpose?
Could There Be a Deeper Reason for the New Superman Suit Design?
2025’s standalone “Superman” movie will not only focus on the hero but also serve as the debut for the new DC Universe (DCU). Given Superman’s appearance in Zack Snyder’s cut of “Justice League,” it appears that the upcoming film may be following the popular Injustice timeline, where Superman transforms into a darker version of himself. In this iconic storyline, Superman becomes a tyrant after the Joker kills Lois Lane, forgoing his heroic ways to brutally eliminate criminals and those who dare oppose him.
Fundamentally, he transformed into a tyrant, marking one of the bleakest periods in his extensive and illustrious timeline where he committed unspeakable atrocities. Contrary to the portrayal of Superman by David Corenswet and James Gunn, this incarnation appears to be diametrically opposed to the optimistic and benevolent character that Mr. Corenswet described. To provide a contrast, this version of Superman took actions such as killing the Joker by creating a hole in his chest, which is far from the cheerful, hopeful Superman that was spoken of.
Although the vibrant costume suits Corenswet’s interpretation of the character, perhaps its plain design serves a purpose by presenting us with the most ordinary version of Superman. Could it be that this understated aesthetic is part of a larger strategy for the new DCU, where the simplicity now contrasts dramatically with the more ominous and menacing suit that will emerge in the future? This darker costume might align perfectly with the brooding and malevolent persona that Superman may develop within the Injustice timeline on screen, a world characterized by his inner turmoil.
For now, it’s just speculation, but if Batman were to gather a new Justice League team with the goal of defeating a rogue Superman and eventually saving his soul, restoring him as a hero, and uniting everyone against Darkseid, then that seemingly ordinary suit of Superman’s doesn’t appear so mundane anymore. Superman is slated for release on July 11, 2025.
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2024-08-25 01:02