Superman

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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“Look, up in the sky –it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s …” You know the rest.

This faster-than-a-speeding bullet superhero was created in 1938 by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, two nerdy guys from Cleveland. Their comic strip was rescued from the slush pile and published in Action Comics #1 by National Allied Publications (a precursor to DC Comics).

Superman made his appearance on radio in 1940. The character appeared in animated shorts in 1941. He starred in his first movie serial in 1948.

In 1951, “Superman and the Mole People” hit the silver screen as means to promote the upcoming television series. That made the “Look, up in the sky –it’s a bird, it’s a plane…” familiar patter to American audiences.

However, it was the big-budget 1978 “Superman” movie starring Christopher Reeves that declared: “You’ll believe a man can fly!”

It was convincing.

Adjusted for inflation, that first Christopher Reeves outing remains the most successful Superman film to date.

Now we have the latest telling – also called “Superman” – opening in theaters. Written and directed by James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”), it is the second reboot of the Superman film series.

This new movie does not attempt to retell Superman’s origin story. Gunn assumes that you are already familiar with it. The story focuses on Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent trying to balance his Kryptonian heritage with having been raised as a human. The underlying theme explores what it means to be a hero.

This time around, David Corenswet (“Pearl,” “Twisters”) takes on the mantle of Superman and his alter ego, Clark Kent. Rachel Brosnahan (TV’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) joins him as Supe’s sweetie, Lois Lane. And Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: First Class,” “Nosferatu”) is cast as Lex Luthor, the archvillain whose mission is to turn the public against Superman.

You see, this is a world where superheroes already exist. You’ll encounter Supergirl, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and Superman’s dog, Krypto.

And look for Bradley Cooper.

This film came about due to the 2022 merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia. The new entity, known as Warner Bros. Discovery, felt that DC lacked “a coherent creative and brand strategy.” Trying to restructure itself like Marvel, the company hired James Gunn to lead its new DC Studios.

Deciding to reboot Superman, Gunn dropped Henry Cavill who had played the Man of Steel in five previous Superman movies in favor of David Corenswet.

Originally titled “Superman: Legacy,” the title was also shortened. Principal photography began on February 29, 2024, which is Superman’s birthday in the comic books.

The Wrap posed the question: “Can Warner’s DC Studios rise from the ashes with ‘Superman?’” Turns out, Warner Bros. Discovery is still dealing with debt from the merger.
“The litmus test,” said The Wrap, “will be whether director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn’s film will generate enough box office to keep his and co-CEO Peter Safran’s ambitious 10-year plan for DC Studios on track.”

With its $225-million budget, “Superman” needs to gross $700 million at the global box office to be considered a success.

Hollywood insiders say this will come down to whether James Gunn “can successfully update an Eisenhower-era character so the 2025 Gen Z audience can identify with him.”
I’m not so sure Superman needs to change that much. He is the archetypal superhero. He reflects people’s inner strength. He inspires us not to give up in the face of adversity. He stands for “truth, justice, and the American way.”

What more do you need in a superhero?

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com