James Gunn’s SUPERMAN: Blends cinematic legacy, comics and a new vision

James Gunn he made it clear that his Superman the film is not a retread of what came before and is something familiar and new.

During a recent on-set interview with CB, Gunn talked about his creative process and the influences that guide his portrayal of the Man of Steel. While bowing to directors like Richard Donner AND Zack Snyder, Gunn pointed out that his Superman is uniquely his and is deeply rooted in the character’s comic book legacy, particularly that of Grant Morrison. Stellar Superman.

Gunn admitted, “I think all the previous DC media influenced me.” He was quick to recognize the shadow of By Richard Donner iconic Superman: The Movie (1978) while clarifying that it is not a rehash. “The original Donner film influenced me, but there are also a lot of things that… it’s not like I’m just making a Donner-type film. It’s very different from that.”

For Gunn, honoring Superman’s history means incorporating a mix of old and new. While he also acknowledged Snyder’s modern vision for Superman and his contributions to the character, Gunn’s approach leans heavily into DC’s extensive comics history.

“Zack has done some excellent things,” Gunn acknowledged, before diving into his main inspiration… the pages of Superman All Star.

Gunn revealed: “There’s a lot of stuff from the comics above and beyond anything else, Stellar Supermanthis influenced me more than anything else.

Morrison’s celebrated series, known for its hopeful tone and reminders of the Silver Age, informed Gunn’s desire to bring a sense of wonder and classic science fiction back to the character.

He explained: “I wanted to take that sort of Silver Age vibe, that sort of sci-fi approach with gadgets.”

This retro-futuristic vibe doesn’t just apply to Superman but extends to one of his greatest adversaries, Lex Luthor. Gunn has hinted that Luthor’s portrayal will reflect this blend of modern storytelling and vintage influence, reinventing the villain in a way that feels fresh while honoring the character’s roots.

In the center of Gunn Supermanhowever, lies the human connection between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan).

Gunn teased that this relationship will open up new horizons for the superhero genre. “The relationship between David and Rachel [characters] It’s something on screen that I don’t think we’ve ever seen – I hate to say things like that – but I don’t think it’s something we’ve ever seen in any superhero movie.”

Gunn’s Superman it promises to be more than a simple homage to past interpretations or a faithful adaptation of a single source. Instead, it’s a collection of influences, Donner’s hopeful tone, Snyder’s visual flair, Morrison’s mythic storytelling, molded into a film that reflects Gunn’s distinct vision. “Anything [influenced me]and then it is simply something that belongs to us completely,” he concluded.

Superman will tell the story of “Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas.

“He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”

“It’s set in a world very different from ours and very far from the DCEU. Heroes have been around for centuries and we’ll see how that has influenced the history of this world and shaped the DCU.”

Superman stars David Corenswet like Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane; Nicola Hoult as Lex Luthor; Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern; Isabela Mercede as Hawkgirl; Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific; Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen; María Gabriela de Faría in the role of Angela Spica, aka The Engineer; Sara Sampaioas Eva Teschmacher; AND Terence Rosemore as Otis.

Superman will launch the cinematic portion of DC Studios’ Gods and Monsters: Part 1. The theatrical release is scheduled for July 11, 2025.