According to James Gunn, Superman will focus more on how the superhero sees himself as a person – rather than how he fits in with the world.
With Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, Zack Snyder tried to show the real-world consequences of someone like Superman emerging on Earth (though without as much violence as the likes of The Boys and Invincible).
They were dark and gritty movies that followed Clark as he reckoned with his responsibilities and his self-imposed duty to mankind. Superman appears to have a few similar ideas; for example, Lois Lane criticizes him for not “considering the consequences” of intervening in a war.
However, the new film looks much brighter, happier, and lighter than its predecessors – and it has a different priority.
Superman is about “what it means to be human”
Speaking to Brazilian press (via Omelette), Gunn said: “I always start my approach by thinking, ‘What if this were real?’
“Richard Donner’s films and Snyder’s also suggest personal Superman stories. But here, the main story is: what is Superman’s relationship with himself?”
David Corenswet, who plays the new Superman, also said: “I think not setting the film on our Earth was very good for that.
“It’s this alternative Earth where there’s a city called Metropolis. It’s not a movie that asks, ‘What if Superman existed in our world?’, which is a good question. But here, the ‘what if it were real’ question is on the human scale.”
This echoes what Gunn has said throughout Superman’s development. Speaking to ABC, Gunn described the film as “a personal journey for Superman that’s entirely new… he’s a character who is pretty damn good, but flawed.”
“He’s a public-facing character, he’s a symbol,” Corenswet added.
“There’s a presentational element to it, because he does want to present an image of calm and authority. While he doesn’t always feel that way, he always wants to make other people feel that way as Superman.”
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