James Gunn's new DCU's Chapter One has the task of separating the franchise from what came before. The final releases of the old DCEU mostly faced negative reviews and underperformed at the box office. Due to that, DC Studios needs to make it clear that the DCU is forging a new path ahead.
I think that starting the franchise's films with Zack Snyder's DCEU movies were controversial, starting with Man of Steel, and I think Gunn's Superman already proves it will go for a different route in a major way through its latest trailer.
I Think Man Of Steel Did Not Understand Jonathan Kent
Kevin Costner's Version Of The Iconic Character Was Far From Ideal
Man of Steel is my favorite of Snyder's DCEU movies. However, that does not mean it is without controversy. In fact, there are two major moments in the film that made me question Snyder's understanding of Superman and his ing cast. The idea of having Cavill's Superman kill in his debut movie in the franchise is often talked about as the film's biggest controversy. However, I think Man of Steel's use of Jonathan Kent is on the same level.
When Clark asks Jonathan if he should have let the kids die to keep his powers a secret, Kevin Costner's character says, "Maybe."
I understand what Snyder wanted to do with Jonathan, as other versions of the character have had him asking Clark not to show his powers to the world to stay safe, like Smallville did. However, Jonathan would never ask his son not to save a bus full of children. Later, Jonathan would rather die in a tornado than allow his son to save him, and Cavill's Clark Kent just goes with it. Superman would always save people, especially his dad, and Jonathan should never have even questioned him saving the bus full of kids in the first place.
James Gunn’s Superman Movie Trailer Shows How Pa Kent Should Be With Just One Line
The DCU Has A Better Understanding Of The Character
After a few teasers, behind-the-scenes, and sneak peeks, we finally got the first full DCU Superman movie trailer. The footage revealed what the movie's story is, with David Corenswet's Superman having to face the consequences of his actions, as public opinion and the military are against him for interfering in a war in another country and being seen as an agent of the United States while doing so. As Superman puts it, people were going to die, and he had to save everyone he could.
A quick exchange in the trailer between Corenswet's Clark Kent and Pruitt Taylor Vince's Jonathan Kent showcases how Gunn's Superman movie understands what makes Superman's dad work. Jonathan says, "Your choices, your actions, that’s what makes you who you are.” This is the reassuring moment that Clark needs, with his dad telling him that he is meant to save people, and he simply cannot change that. This is a far cry from Man of Steel's use of Jonathan Kent, showing how the DCU version of the character easily fixes that movie's mistakes.
Superman Needs To Be All About Saving People
The DCU Is Going For A Comics-Accurate Approach With Superman And His ing Cast
I'm fully on board with James Gunn's vision when it comes to Jonathan Kent. While I understand the need to keep Clark Kent's identity a secret, especially when he was growing up and could commit mistakes and accidentally reveal it, Jonathan should never react the way Kevin Costner's did in Man of Steel. Not only was he a bad version of the iconic DC character, but his approach to the bus situation made him look like a bad human being.
Why Superman Looks So Weak In James Gunn's New Movie
The new trailer for James Gunn's Superman movie has been released, and once again, David Corenswet's Man of Steel is shown to be weaker than expected.
That is not at all what Jonathan Kent should be. Smallville did a much better job of going for the tone Snyder wanted with the character, but not leaning too much into that murky territory. John Schneider's Pa Kent was firm, did everything to keep Clark's identity a secret, but never shot him down that harshly for saving people. The reason Superman is the world's greatest hero is not due to his powers, but his positive upbringing. Based on Superman's latest trailer, I'm confident Corenswet's Superman will live up to the hero's legacy, with mistakes like Man of Steel's avoided.
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Superman
- Release Date
- July 11, 2025
- Director
- James Gunn
- Writers
- James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster
- Producers
- Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran
- Franchise(s)
- DCU
Cast
Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El
Rachel BrosnahanLois Lane
Nicholas HoultLex Luthor
Edi GathegiMichael Holt / Mister Terrific
Superman: This film follows Clark Kent, a cub reporter in Metropolis, as he navigates the complexities of his dual identity, struggling to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing while embracing his role as Superman.
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Man of Steel
8/10- Release Date
- June 14, 2013
- Runtime
- 143 minutes
- Director
- Zack Synder
Cast
Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El
Lois Lane
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYMan of Steel is a 2013 reboot of the Superman franchise, directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent, who discovers his extraterrestrial origins and extraordinary powers.
- Franchise(s)
- Superman
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