As longtime DC fans, from the early days of Detective Comics to the Injustice saga, we were super hyped for the new Superman movie. But then we saw the James Gunn Superman Teaser Trailer. Now we’re questioning the relevance of Superman’s whole ‘Boy Scout’ vibe among the sea of other more nuanced, cynical, and morally grey characters. That whole classic hero, good-versus-evil trope, although iconic, is starting to feel a little too simplistic and out of touch with the modern audience.
Superman is always out there saving kittens from trees, helping old ladies cross streets, and delivering cringy lines like, “Truth, Justice, and something lame.” Compare that to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, where a troubled man turns into a cultural phenomenon, or the chaotic energy of Birds of Prey, which brought out Harley Quinn’s chaotic energy with a pinch of anarchy.
With messed-up, morally corrupt characters like Homelander (The Boys) and Rick Sanchez (Rick and Morty) stealing the show by being their absolute worst, does the new Superman movie 2025 even stand a chance in today’s shifting landscape?
The Superman Problem
If we told you that we’re creating a character that is virtually an indestructible being and has only one real weakness, which will be exploited for 80 years by the same four shallow villains, you’d say we lack creativity. But that’s Superman for you.
Bruce Wayne’s parents were murdered. Peter Parker’s uncle was gunned down. Meanwhile, Superman is…well, Superman. The guy grew up on a wholesome Kansas farm with Ma and Pa Kent, discovered he’s basically a god, and decided, “Hey, I’ll use my powers to help humanity.”
That’s admirable, sure. But in modern cinema, that kind of trope doesn’t always make for great drama. Just look at the hit TV show The Boys, where the line between hero and villain is nonexistent. Or the 2022 Batman, where Bruce Wayne is just one bad day away from saying, “Screw it” and becoming the next Joker.
Can the New Superman Movie Bring a New Perspective?
Superman’s whole deal is the super-clear moral compass. It’s what makes him stand out from characters like Wolverine or Deadpool, who are all about those gray areas and personal agendas. But ask yourself this: Which is better and more engaging — messy and layered motivations or Superman’s straight-up good guy vibe?
Now, with the release of the James Gunn Superman Teaser Trailer, fans are asking how the director is going to make the new Superman movie relevant. Can the 2025 movie show us a Clark Kent who’s wrestling with what it means to be a symbol of hope in a cynical world? Can it give us a Superman who feels human, even when he’s invincible?
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