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With a year as mentally draining as 2020, it becomes common practice to seek out distractions. Video games, binge-worthy TV shows, comics, and of course, movies, have all been crucial in keeping spirits high and allowing for some sort of escape from the problems we are currently facing. With the state of the world as dark as it is, many, including myself, have gravitated towards lighter entertainment. When lockdowns began in March and April, it became clear that many of the 2020 blockbuster action films would have to be pushed back. Films such as F9, No Time to Die, Black Widow, and Top Gun: Maverick would have provided the fun and exciting cinematic escape that audiences expect and crave every year. Because of this lack of content, I found myself rewatching past blockbuster films. I revisited the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the past seven Spider-Man films, and several DCEU films. Watching fun, big blockbuster movies proved to be a great distraction. Stories of heroes, redemption, and most importantly, hope, are what we need right now. My favorite superhero stories are those which inspire. Aunt May’s speech to Peter in Spider-Man 2, the No Man’s Land sequence in Wonder Woman, and the explosive Avengers Assemble moment in Avengers: Endgame are all prime examples of how superhero films can get you cheering and inspired to be a hero yourself. Audiences crave these moments and films that aspire for a heroic and hopeful tone.
It seems strange then that the most hopeful and inspiring superhero ever created, Superman is not being pushed more by DC. The character’s wide appeal lies in his pure, warm optimism. Warner Bros. and DC have struggled in the past to market Superman for general audiences. Unfortunately, because of this, it seems that they have temporarily shelved the character for the big screen until Cavill signs a new contract or they decide to reboot the franchise. It would be incredibly wise for DC to reevaluate the importance of this wonderful character and team up with passionate filmmakers who would show audiences why Superman is one of the greatest fictional characters of all time.
What makes Superman such a beloved character isn’t his super strength, endurance, or the myriad of other extraordinary powers, but rather his refreshing optimism and desire to try and look for the good in others. This is a character who looks for peaceful solutions to issues, instead of just resorting to violence. It is quite admirable for one of the most powerful characters in all of fiction to consistently take the moral high ground. Superman’s motivation and drive to fight villains is all in an attempt to help others, not satisfy a personal sense of vengeance or retribution. His selflessness and generosity are unparalleled and quite remarkable given the amount of hate, bigotry, and prejudices in the world in which he occupies. Superman’s three primary values, truth, justice, and the “American Way”, represent the undying passions of a man who was raised to treat others with kindness and stand up to those who wish to suppress others. In today’s America, these values are needed now more than ever, especially in a country where misinformation and despicable lies have caused division and spurred hatred. Superman is a reminder that we can be better and must hold others accountable. To stand by his values and ensure that he sets a positive example for others, Superman uses his ultimate tool, hope. His pure, undying optimism is a beacon of light for those shrouded in darkness.
In 2013’s Man of Steel, director Zack Snyder introduced a Superman who was just beginning to discover his powers, and more importantly, his place in the world. His DC film plan for Superman was going to see the character naturally develop over the course of a few films into the optimistic and cheerful comic-book character everyone knows. We would have seen the evolution of the character, making his transformation into the classic Superman feel earned. Unfortunately, Warner Bros. decided to rush this process, resulting in an awkward and uneven portrayal of Superman in 2017’s infamous Justice League. The knee-jerk reaction to the reception of Batman vs. Superman ultimately led WB to course correct and attempt to move away from the tone that Snyder had established. Four years later, HBO Max is one of WarnerMedia’s primary assets and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the 4-hour cut of Snyder’s original version of the 2017 film will soon be released on the streaming service. If the film is received well and a hit with fans, then the changes in direction and rushed attempt to lighten the tone of the DC Extended Universe of films will go down as one of the worst executive decisions for a blockbuster film property in history. The recent trailer for the “Snyder Cut” of Justice League teases a more epic, serious, and meaningful story. The callback to the first flight sequence in Man of Steel is brilliant and suggests that we will finally see the full 3-movie arc Snyder had planned for Superman. Reactions online are already proving that there is a prominent demand for more Superman content, particularly for Henry Cavill’s interpretation of the character. Fans have been demanding another solo Superman film since 2013. After the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the anticipation may be at an all-time high. Warner Bros. would be wise to take advantage of this renewed interest in Cavill’s Superman and try to hammer out a deal with the actor and work on getting a writer to deliver a script that would properly continue the journey of the character post-Justice League. If nothing else, the current state of the world must motivate the studio to release a hopeful, bright, and inspiring superhero film featuring one of the most beloved comic-book characters. After everything the world has been through recently, fans deserve to see one of the most hopeful heroes on the big screen again.
Superman is a character that should be at the forefront of DC Films. This is a character whose world, powers and personality would make for a quintessential blockbuster action film. The balance of large-scale epic action scenes and intimate, inspiring character moments would thrill audiences and leave them smiling. Superman’s warmth is infectious and would surely leave audiences craving more. I fully believe a Superman film that resonated with audiences and delivered the earned optimism and warmth of the character would hit $1 billion at the box office. It is hard to underestimate the pure legacy this character has. Many view the first Christopher Reeve Superman film with the same respect and admiration as the original Star Wars. The main challenge facing Warner Bros. right now is deciding who would be the best fit to helm a new Superman project. There have been rumors that Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams has been developing a new project with the character for WB, with some speculation that he would even direct the film. Abrams would likely bring a grand sense of action and nostalgic fun that could serve well to please fans of the Reeve-era Superman. There are those, however, who would rather see Zack Snyder himself continue helming Superman projects, allowing him to finally direct a proper “Man of Steel 2.” Based on how the character’s arc concludes at the end of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, it may present a perfect opportunity for Snyder to pass the baton to another talented filmmaker. The three-film arc from Man of Steel to Justice League will signify the early evolution of the character into the hero the world needs him to be for the future of the DCEU. A new director can take the character and continue the modern evolution, ensuring that Clark doesn’t just revert to the perfect boy scout without any faults or insecurities. What has made Snyder’s Superman so different and unique in this modern age is his struggle to understand his place in the world. It has been interesting to see this Superman face moral questions and try to understand who he is meant to be. It is my personal favorite live-action interpretation of the character and a version that I believe has given the character more depth. The next filmmaker should understand the balance that is needed to make the character the bright, hopeful light many know him as and the reflective and relatable character that Snyder introduced in his films. This may be a tricky tightrope that only a few directors would be best suited for right now. I believe directors such as Travis Knight (Bumblebee), Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible – Fallout), Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Kingsman: The Secret Service), Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Paul King (Paddington 2), and Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House) would all be unique and suitable choices to bring this beloved character back to the big screen.
As a fan of the character and superhero films in general, I hope that Warner Bros can make the right decisions and give audiences a big, thoughtful, and heartfelt film that the character deserves right now.
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