Summary
James Gunn’s DC Universe will kick off on July 18, 2025, whenSupermanwill fly into movie theatres around the world, much to the excitement of superhero fans. This will be the first movie in the Gods and Monsters chapter of the DCU, and given that it is the launching pad for everything that is going to follow, there’s no shortage of pressure on it.
Gunn has the difficult job of appeasing old-schoolSupermanfans while also trying to attract new viewers to watch the franchise moving forward. While the action, the acting, and the plot will ultimately determine that, the CEO of DC Studios does have a plan to try to make the movie accessible to everyone.
James Gunn Is Aiming To Keep Superman Basic
Gunn Doesn’t Want Superman To Be Confusing
Supermanis an iconic character, being someone who has a considerable fanbase that stretches beyond just the superhero genre. This is why it could be easy to presume that most people know everything there is to know about the character and the world that he inhabits, but that isn’t the case. While there are similarities between everySupermanmovie, there are also many differences in terms of the characters involved and the story being told. That will be the case again with the upcoming film, soGunn has decided to keep the movie as simpleas possible. He doesn’t want to cause any confusion for people, and that decision should help make the film feel more accessible to audiences, regardless of theirSupermanknowledge. Gunn explained his thought process toIGN.
“I’ve screened the movie for so many people and saw that people aren’t confused. So I know from fact that it’s not confusing. We’re used to seeing movies with protagonists and Superman is definitely the protagonist of Superman, and he has his work friends and he has his play friends.
“Now, I don’t know if the Justice Gang are his play friends or if his work friends at the Daily Planet are his work friends or his play friends, but that’s the two groups of his friends from different places. And just because they have insignias on their costumes or superpowers doesn’t mean they’re not like any other supporting character in any movie. I think ‘Oppenheimer’ has three times as many speaking roles as we do. So I think people are fine.”
The decision to keepSupermanis basicand could end up being a wise one, as it means that people won’t be put off by going to watch the movie. As soon as people learn that it is a perfect starting point into the world ofSupermanand DC generally, it will open things up for the film, which should benefit the box office results. Even if the basicness of the film will stop it from getting into the weeds of Superman and all of the exciting details that it provides, at this stage in the DCU, it is wiser to appeal to a broader audience.
Future Superman Movies Will Be Able To Build Off What Happens In This Film
Extra characters Can Be Introduced Down The Line To Provide More Detail
Even though some hardcoreSupermanfans want to see certain characters added to the movie because they don’t require the same level of backstory, it must be appreciated that this is a hard refresh for not just the franchise but DC on the whole. Gunn is kickstarting a brand new franchise with this movie, which puts lots of pressure on it.Supermanneeds to deliverin order for the DCU to stand any chance of succeeding in the long term; that’s why stripping it back to the basics and simply ensuring that the movie is entertaining at its core is the right decision. There will no doubt be futureSupermanfilms to flesh this franchise out in more detail, which will see all of the complex nods to the comics.
Superman’s Simplicity Might Give DC An Advantage Over Marvel
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Has Become Too Complex
Another reason why keepingSupermanbasic will be a beneficial move on Gunn’s behalf is that it could give them an edge over Marvel Studios and everything they’re doing. The MCU has a significant advantage over the DCU due to how well-established it is and the fact that those characters are now ingrained in pop culture, althoughthat doesn’t mean Marvel is perfect. The most recent phase of the MCU has been difficult for many fans due to how complex it has become, with the multiverse storyline being something that many fans haven’t enjoyed. Many people have found those storylines to be too complicated, as people need to see every single movie and television show that has been produced, which is a commitment that many people aren’t willing to make. Characters are popping up from different directions, which has sometimes made the MCU a confusing place to be, which has hurt many of the recent releases.
This is why makingSupermanbasic enough for anyone to enjoywill boost the franchise; it will provide people with the exact opposite of what Marvel is doing. While the MCU has become convoluted and overly complex with every release, DC should provide simple stories that are accessible, and enjoyable stories to the masses. Fans want to see an easy good vs evil story when it comes to a superhero movie, and there is no need to complicate things beyond that point. It sounds like Gunn has understood that, and that will benefitSupermanupon its release.
