James Gunn Says Corenswet’s Superman Will Be Weaker Than Cavill’s: “I Didn’t Want a Superman Who Could Punch Planets”

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The next Superman won’t be the invincible, unyielding character fans are accustomed to. As the director and writer of the upcoming Superman movie, Gunn has disclosed that this portrayal of Superman, acted by David Corenswet, will exhibit more vulnerabilities, both physically and emotionally.

During an interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn shared his vision for Superman – making him appear more earthbound and susceptible. He thinks this change will make the character more identifiable, fostering a well-balanced universe where other superheroes can also thrive.

Gunn stated that he desired to make Superman susceptible,” he continued, implying that certain elements of the character were purposely left unclear to preserve an air of enigma.

Unlike past depictions such as Henry Cavill’s almost invincible Superman in the DCEU or Christopher Reeve’s near-legendary portrayal, the new Superman played by Corenswet will not possess all-powerful abilities. Gunn plans to shift away from extraordinary feats and make Superman more relatable among other DC characters.

He noted that if Superman is excessively potent, it could make other characters such as a winged hero or Green Lantern appear insignificant in contrast. Gunn envisions a universe where every character counts. “In this case,” he clarified, “he’s somewhat less formidable.” “Still, they all possess significant power,” he added.

Gunn, too, weighed in on the continuous discussions among fans regarding which superhero would prevail in a physical encounter online. He pointed out that such arguments overlook the essence of storytelling.

Gunn expressed his opinion about a discussion online comparing fight capabilities between Homelander, Superman, and others, stating it was pointless and nonsensical. He humorously proposed creating a character called God Man, who would win all fights with a wink. However, he clarified that he didn’t want a Superman capable of destroying planets.

One more motivation behind the shift in portrayal stems from the way fans discuss Batman. Gunn mentioned that numerous individuals share their preference for Batman since he’s defeatable, and this idea has stayed with him. In simpler terms, he stated, “We now have a Superman who can be overcome.

Even though there’s been discussion about reducing power, Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman won’t be feeble. He will retain iconic abilities such as flight, heat vision, and X-ray vision. Gunn aims to avoid having these powers create a feeling of detachment or unrelatability for the character. In fact, a recent comic adaptation has already demonstrated Superman utilizing his X-ray vision in a rescue mission – a talent not frequently emphasized in previous movies.

The upcoming movie scheduled for release on July 11, 2025, not only features the main character but also introduces other DC comic book characters. Actress Rachel Brosnahan will portray Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult steps into the role of Lex Luthor, and the ensemble includes heroes such as Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, Mr. Terrific, and Metamorpho.

I’m really excited about this reboot because Gunn seems determined to take a new approach with Superman. Instead of portraying him as an invincible deity, he aims to make him more relatable and human. This way, the character feels refreshed not just due to his incredible powers, but primarily because of his values and beliefs.

This potential shift could be quite refreshing. Historically, Superman has seemed overly powerful, making him somewhat distant. However, by making him more vulnerable, we may uncover aspects of his personality that have remained hidden. It’s a daring decision, and it might spark controversy among some fans, but it could also rejuvenate a character who is in dire need of a revitalization.

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2025-06-20 10:44