Filmmaker James Gunn hopes the beloved superhero will bring hope to a cynical world.
“Everybody’s gotten so cynical and ironic,” said Gunn. “Everybody’s ironic about everything all the time. And he (Superman) is a good-natured guy who wants to be kind. And when you see the world through Superman’s eyes, everyone is beautiful.”
“Superman,” which is premiering in the US today (Thursday), is a bit of a change in tone for the writer and director who brought a mischievous playfulness and snark to the chaotic worlds of “Suicide Squad” and the “Guardians of the Galaxy.” But this wasn’t some fringe misfit: It’s Superman. And a certain amount of optimism was necessary.
The Man of Steel has been a symbol since he first appeared in 1938 among the technicolor pages of Action Comics #1 as a baby from the planet Krypton sent to Earth as a last resort to save him from his planet’s demise. In the 87 years since, various iterations of Superman have graced countless comic books, animated series and live-action television shows and films, many focusing on the hero’s origin story.
Through Gunn’s lens, audiences meet a Superman three years into his self-appointed journey to save anyone in need of help.
Superman has reached a point where he must confront what it means to do good and seek justice in a complicated world where many, especially the infamous Lex Luthor, question his intentions.
“We get to really discover what are his flaws, what are his opinions, what are his ideals. I think we get a very intimate look at his relationship with Lois. I also think that it’s a bigger movie than it’s ever been told with Superman before,” Gunn said.
Gunn’s vulnerable Superman is someone simply wanting to make the world a better place in an attempt to be accepted by his adopted homeland. He quickly learns that despite his super strength and metahuman abilities, he cannot do it all on his own.
David Corenswet said in recent interviews that Gunn’s first instructions to him were to “work on his shoulders and his vulnerability.” Rather than transform into Superman, leaning into his own humanity and inner self is what led Corenswet to find the character.
“Any fantasy I had of transforming into this character sort of got dashed by James’ desire, I think, for me to bring a little more of myself to the role,” Corenswet told The Associated Press.
A justice gang with a purpose
The film also introduces a new group of allies — the so-called “Justice Gang” — including Hawk Girl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Green Lantern member Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion). While the name is a placeholder, the theme of collective action runs strong.
Merced said watching the film after a tough week of real-world news left her feeling unexpectedly uplifted. “I was really relieved when I watched it,” she said. “I was having a terrible week, consuming way too much real media and watching this made me feel really light and happy and at least hopeful.”
Gathegi described the film as a “meditation on the human spirit,” adding, “Whatever problem that you’re going through, you can attack. If it’s a big societal issue or interpersonal issue, you have the power to deal with the problems that you can deal with.”
Power of the press
James Gunn’s Superman doesn’t just explore the hero’s humanity—it spotlights the power of journalism to fight injustice.
“James’ intentional focus on the importance of journalism and journalistic integrity in this film is potentially more important now than it has been,” said Rachel Brosnahan. “One of the joys of stepping into this has been understanding in a deeper way what you all do and the ways in which you put yourselves on the line in pursuit of the truth, and it’s been an honor to step into that.”
Beck Bennett, who plays reporter Steve Lombard, praised how Daily Planet journalists help Superman stand up to the villain. “They are exposing some truth so that people can get the truth and turn on the person who is actually doing them harm,”
Bennett said. “It’s really cool to see that. I think that could be exciting for younger people who might want to be journalists to be like, ‘Wow, they do have this power. They are superheroes.’”
Skyler Gisondo, as Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent’s best friend, said, “Reading the script, you have a sense that the work that we’re doing is just as important as the action itself.”
News correspondent Will Reeve, son of Superman actor Christopher Reeve, makes a cameo. “The fact that my dad and his character and then his subsequent personal story resonated and perhaps inspired maybe billions of people around the world,” Reeve said. “That means a lot to me... what Superman is and represents as a character.”
Wendell Pierce, who plays editor Perry White, added, “People want to feel empowered... and so we turn off the lights and go into a small theater... decide what our values are and walk out... and act on those.”
Courtesy: AP
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
