Superman (2025), written and directed by James Gunn and released into theaters on July 11th, sparked mild controversy among DC fans. Gunn’s portrayal of Superman as a hero for all, emphasizing his kindness and responsibility for the lives of the people he protects, contrasts with previous adaptations of the popular superhero — such as Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013), which highlighted Superman as being more brooding.
This begs the question: how is a ‘good’ Superman written? Although stories and their adaptations are subjective, when writing such a famous character it’s important to nail their personality. This makes the character likable (or unlikable, in the case of some) and true to the original media. When looking at the newest Superman film, many fans say that it stays true to the classic comic book Superman; an optimistic, alien superhero who, despite his incredible powers, has an undeniable humanity to him. However, older films featuring Superman shift the focus onto making him as powerful as possible, ignoring his humanity.
Gunn said that he deliberately made Superman ‘weaker’ than he was in previous films, allowing him to be knocked down and vulnerable. This was done to make him seem more human, highlighting his humble farm upbringings and how he, despite not being one, feels connected to humans.
Although Superman’s character is up to the interpretation of the current writer, Gunn’s portrayal of Superman truly connects not only to the original comics, but also to people worldwide, who can resonate with his kind and heroic personality. Gunn’s Superman can serve as a role model, showcasing that any person, through good deeds and responsibility, can be a hero. Though Snyder’s writing is not by any means bad, it lacks the heartfelt aspects of Gunn’s interpretation of Superman. Gunn’s direction opens a new door for the DC cinematic universe, bringing characters back to their comic book origins and separating them from the power-based movies of the Marvel cinematic universe. Gunn’s Superman is a return to the optimism that the superhero genre has not seen in a long time.