Summary
James Gunn is the man behind theDCcinematic universe, alongside Peter Safran, and they are hard at work to revitalize the DC universe, in order to compete with Marvel. It was announced last year that Gunn would be writing and directingSuperman, with the Superhero flick due to be released on Jul 31, 2025. But not all fans and critics are overjoyed about theGuardians of the Galaxydirector being at the helm of the new iteration of the Man of Steel.
Gunn received a backlash from the fans when he axed Henry Cavill from the role of Superman, opting to cast unknown actor,David Corenswet, as the Man of Steel. He has also been criticized for ousting Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, with the actress being a popular figure in the DC universe. However, nobody knows if these decisions will prove to be good or bad until the movie comes out next year.
Some fans are wary about James Gunn’s approach to Superman
Filming is now underwayon James Gunn’s Superman, but there appears to be a section of the fandom that aren’t happy with Gunn and the direction he is going in with Superman. There was a big outcry when it was revealed thatHenry Cavill wouldn’t return in the new movie, and the canceling of Wonder Woman 3 irked the fans even more.
However, Gunn is trying to go in a different direction, and despiteHenry Cavillbeing a fantastic Superman, it’s understandable that Gunn wants to put his own stamp on the Man of Steel, with a new iteration of the character. Gal Gadot was also very good as Wonder Woman, and it would be hard for another actress to step into that role with such big shoes to fill. Having said that, no casting decisions have been made about who will play the character next.
James Gunn is clearly a massive fan of Superman, and fans should wait until they see the finished product before slating his decisions. He knows what he’s doing, which is evidenced from the success he’s had in the genre thus far.
What are the criticisms of James Gunn’s work?
One of the criticisms of James Gunn’s previous movies is his propensity to cast his friends in roles, sometimes overlooking other actors who might be better suited to certain roles. It was confirmed last year that his brother, Sean Gunn, would take over the role of Maxwell Lord from Pedro Pascal, who played him inWonder Woman 1984.It was also announced that regular collaborator, Nathan Fillion, would join the cast of Superman asGuy Gardner(aka Green Lantern).
Despite the backlash, it’s hard to argue with James Gunn’s track record of hit movies. Yes, he likes to cast actors he’s worked with for many years, but they always repay the trust he has in them with their excellent performances. Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy is widely considered to be among the stronger entries in the MCU, and when he took onThe Suicide Squad, it was much better than the previous outing.
What strengths does James Gunn bring to Superman?
James Gunn has a proven track record of successful movies in both the MCU and DC cinematic universes. When it was announced he would be overseeing DC’s output of content, it was widely considered to be a step in the right direction. His movies always feature compelling characters that the audience can root for.
Superman has often been considered to be one of the more straight-laced characters in the DC universe, and he possesses such great power, it can make it difficult to show his weaknesses in their fullest form. However, Gunn is well versed in showing characters flaws in his movies, and this new version of Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet, could be one of the most nuanced versions of the character the audience has ever seen.
Superman isn’t without his weaknesses, and James Gunn could be the perfect director to portray this on the big screen. Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy was a superhero with many weaknesses, played brilliantly by Chris Pratt, who wasn’t massively well known at the time he was cast. The casting of David Corenswet as the Man of Steel could be key to unlocking a different side to the superhero. It also helps that he’s a young actor who can potentially be the face of the DC Universe for many years to come. Another strength that Gunn brings to Superman is that he has written the new movie, and based on his past projects, this could inject some much-needed humor into the movie, alongside some darker aspects, with the tonal shifts nicely balanced out.
