Latest news with #Superman:Legacy
Daily Maverick
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Finding power in the 'Man', not the 'Super'
Has any superhero movie felt as much like a comic book as 2025's Superman? Filmmaker James Gunn ensures the new DC Universe launches with a film that demonstrates sincere love for the character's past, and an eye on our real-life present. There are multiple hot takes that the character of Superman just doesn't appeal to modern audiences. According to these critics, an unbreakable, overpowered goody two-shoes isn't interesting. Director Zack Snyder leaned into the isolating nature of being a god among men with Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, but honestly, hiding in fear and shame over being a perfect, ultra-powerful being isn't the most relatable emotional hook. However, with the new Superman (2025), previously known as Superman: Legacy, filmmaker James Gunn finds an angle that works: that Superman isn't perfect despite all his capabilities and desire to do good – and that you can explore this concept without wallowing in teeth-gritted angst. Gunn's film opens, shockingly, with Superman (David Corenswet), AKA Kal-EL, AKA Clark Kent, beaten and bleeding. Again, the hero is not perfect and indestructible, despite being three years into his hero career, and despite his Achilles heel, Kryptonite, being absent from the picture. As an alien, Superman can be healed through concentrated exposure to the rays of Earth's yellow sun, but that's a painful process. Still, he goes through it to get his job done: defending the city of Metropolis (including its squirrels) from the threat of the moment. Superman tries and tries again, but in Gunn's film, this is someone who can't control an unruly superpowered dog; who struggles to communicate with his girlfriend; who loses his temper when he's forced to defend his good-intentioned actions; and who must still endure awkward, shouted calls from his tech-unsavvy parents about a visit to a burrito bar. We've all been there in some way or another. A vein of enjoyable recognisability runs through Superman, which we can hope is the tone setter for the new onscreen DC Universe, under the stewardship of Gunn, along with DC Studios co-head Peter Safran. Because it can be argued that Superman (2025) feels like it is ripped straight from a comic. If you read the stories in the 1970s and 80s, you'll find loads to love here, whether it's citizens' blasé reactions to epic monster and metahuman battles around them, trips into visually striking, trippy pocket dimensions, or the first-time big-screen appearance of characters from yesteryear, like element-powered Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). On that note, if you're completely unfamiliar with Superman and the broader DC universe, you may have to consult a Wiki after watching the film. Although not inaccessible for newcomers, Superman does feel like it was made more for fans – such as with a joking nod to the irresistibility of ginger photographer Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo). The film skips exposition and character backstories in general, dropping viewers into a movie where it's simply outlined that metahumans have existed for centuries, but Superman is an extraterrestrial newcomer, and the most powerful being of all. Then again, the lack of momentum-slowing introductions means that the film can maintain its breakneck pace throughout, and immediately feel like it's taking place in a fully functioning, pre-populated world. There were legitimate concerns that the 129-minute Superman would be overstuffed with characters, but Gunn, who also helmed Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad, has a strong grasp of his ensemble, even managing to find space for quiet, touching moments between Superman and his adoptive parents Ma and Pa Kent (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince). It's easier to identify underutilised figures who seem simply present, like Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl and Mikaela Hoover's columnist Cat Grant, than to pick one standout character. Contenders for the latter include the already mentioned Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as infamously cocky Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Edi Gathegi as brilliant but emotionally icy and irritable inventor Mister Terrific. This isn't even mentioning the scene-stealing Krypto, although the dog CGI is one of the weaker aspects of Superman, along with a couple of rubber-looking airborne fight sequences used to market the film. As for the trio of characters and performances that are the foundation of any Superman film, Gunn has struck gold with the warm and emotive Corenswet as Superman, who enjoys laser-eyed chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan's reporter Lois Lane. Lois also enjoys a more credible, less-glamorous journalistic treatment this time, living in a cramped apartment and rocking a funky, rule-breaking style to match her savvy attitude. It's notable that the new film skips Superman's will-he-won't-he identity reveal to Lois, although the secrecy now lies in the couple hiding their relationship from the world. It's Nicholas Hoult who arguably brings something new to the table as Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. Previous film depictions of the genius industrialist have tended to see-saw between over-the-top egotistical and shouty maniacal. Hoult's Luthor is far more restrained, and therefore sinister. There are no attempts to soften his nature as an awful, abusive and prejudiced human being, but he is nevertheless aware of his flaws, and has a point that Superman's presence distracts from human achievement (largely his own). One final thing to note about the new Superman film is that, as much as it looks back, paying tribute to the often cheesy comics of yesteryear, it also has something to say about the present, largely by digging down to the character's Golden Age roots. These roots are replanted in a recognisable modern context where nations shrug as other countries initiate violent invasions of their neighbours, social media bots inflame public opinion against the 'other' with bizarre catchphrases, and any critical voices can just vanish (evidently from this plane of being) as the result of black-clad, masked forces. On top of it all, our hero finds himself opposing a reckless tech bro in cahoots with a junk food-loving despot who needs his ego stroked constantly. While the likes of comic creator Frank Miller have positioned Superman as a 'big blue boy scout' towing the authority line, the character's origins lie in fighting injustice, stepping up to defend the powerless, whether it be against slumlords, domestic abusers or corrupt officials. Batman deals with criminals, whereas Superman routinely puts bullies big and small in their place. It doesn't seem like a coincidence that Corenswet's costume is closer to those worn in the character's earliest on-screen days, complete with visible seams and a kind of chunkiness. The point is that if stepping up to do good and showing kindness is political, then yes, Superman is political. He always has been, despite what a certain peevish segment of the internet insists. His actions inspire others around him, which the film's mix of mortals and superheroes helps to convey, following Supes's lead during the film's climax. And it hopefully adds a punch that pierces straight through the project, across decades of colourful comic book shenanigans, to the human audience watching today. DM Superman is in cinemas from 11 July. This includes 3D and IMAX.
Middle East Eye
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Middle East Eye
Did Superman call out Israel?
The newly released Hollywood blockbuster Superman: Legacy, which premiered globally on 11 July, is drawing intense social media attention for what many viewers perceive as a bold "pro-Palestine" stance. While director James Gunn has not publicly confirmed any references, online audiences are calling the film one of the most politically charged superhero stories in recent memory, with comparisons to Israel's war on Gaza and the US immigration raids taking centre stage. Set partly in the fictional country of Boravia, a high-tech military ally of the US, the film follows Superman as he confronts a regime accused of invasion, surveillance of dissenters and weapons-fuelled domination over a neighbouring population confined behind a border fence. The plot has struck a nerve with many viewers who see parallels to the ongoing war in Gaza. One of the most widely circulated Reddit posts under the subreddit "Israel" encapsulated the concern from pro-Israel audiences: New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'Have you all seen the new Superman movie? I find it so disrespectful and distressing that a superhero created by two Jewish artists is now being used to promote anti-Israeli messages to the world… I can't understand how this was green-lit at a time like this with global antisemitism on a rise... Of course, the invaders are portrayed as white while the victims are predominantly brown. And of course, if Israel speaks out against the film, it would be seen as 'well, if the shoe fits.'" Honestly I thought y'all were exaggerating calling Superman anti-Israel but oh? That wasn't even subtle — . (@kingbealestreet) July 13, 2025 Users responding on Twitter wrote: 'It's so funny that they instantly recognize that the movie is about Israel's genocide in Gaza without being told and yet still have the temerity to get offended and express their indignation in public. It's like how come you know the evil murderous villains are Israel, guys?' One user compared the concluding scene to images from the 2018 Great March of Return in Gaza. At first during Superman I was like 'this can't be about Palestine' until it was revealed the invading country is a US ally receiving billions in weapons sales from Lex Luthor and the ending resembles the 2018 Gaza border protests Go see this movie. It is SO good 🙂↕️ — gregor samsung 𖢥 (@slimjosa) July 13, 2025 Political commentator Hasan Piker weighed in with his own theory, saying the film's villain - the leader of Boravia - was 'based on David Ben-Gurion', Israel's founding prime minister. 'A lot of people are saying it's [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu,' the Twitch streamer said. 'But I think it's Ben-Gurion. It's two hours and 10 minutes of fuck Israel.' bringing this back—in real life, children of Gaza don't have a superman so it was important to get the message and news out there through any means they could. THE S STANDS FOR HOPE. THIS IS WHAT SUPERMAN IS FOR. — honey (@saintpattinson) July 13, 2025 Alongside the film's perceived messaging on Gaza, many viewers said the movie took a strong pro-immigration stance - one that landed during a critical moment in the US amid a wave of Ice deportation raids across the country. Some fans drew a connection between these real-world events and the film's portrayal of Superman, who has historically been depicted in comics and films as an alien from another planet raised in the US Midwest. Viewers online interpreted this framing as a deliberate emphasis on immigrant identity. Israeli 'counter-advertising' Still, not everyone was thrilled. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro promised a critical review, posting simply: 'Not. Good. Review coming soon.' The Israeli consulate in Los Angeles also appeared to respond to the film with two stylised Facebook posts. One used the hashtag #The_Real_Superheroes alongside a glossy, seemingly AI-generated image of Israeli soldiers posed like comic book characters. The other was a trailer-style video declaring: 'When evil rises in all its glory, that's when the true superheroes are revealed'. It featured Israeli soldiers, captives and emergency workers. A social media user summed up the general response to the posts: 'Israel is so disturbed by Superman calling them out as genocidal racists they're counter advertising.' In a social media post following the film's release, Gunn said he was proud to have made a version of Superman that emphasised 'the 'man' part of the equation' - describing him as 'a kind person always looking out for those in need". "That that resonates so powerfully with so many people across the world is in itself a hopeful testament to the kindness and quality of human beings." Landing and social media photo: Superman: Legacy poster (IMDB)
Mint
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
'Have fun with it': David Corenswet receives encouragement from Henry Cavill, Tyler Hoechlin ahead of Superman debut
David Corenswet, the actor stepping into the role of Superman in James Gunn's upcoming DC reboot Superman (2025), has revealed he received heartfelt encouragement from two of the most recent actors to don the cape—Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin. Speaking to Heart, Corenswet shared that both Cavill and Hoechlin reached out through personal letters, welcoming him into the Superman legacy and offering warm words of advice — or rather, a lack of it, in true Superman fashion. 'I had the pleasure of exchanging letters with two previous Supermans, Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin. They were very encouraging and we had a lovely exchange and I'm excited to meet them one day. It'll be great when we can all get in a room together,' he said. 'Both of them, interestingly, sort of said in their own words, 'I'm not gonna try to give you any tips.' And I think that's a very Superman thing,' Corenswet added. 'They really just conveyed to me an encouragement and a sense of, you know, have fun with it. Which I think is Superman's way of doing it too.' Henry Cavill first appeared as Superman in Zack Snyder's 'Man of Steel' (2013), ushering in a darker, more brooding take on the character that defined DC's cinematic direction for nearly a decade. Cavill's Superman was known for his inner conflict and realism, and while his departure from the role disappointed many fans, he remains a beloved figure in the Superman canon. Tyler Hoechlin, meanwhile, has portrayed Superman on television since 2016, first appearing in 'Supergirl' before leading his own series 'Superman & Lois' on The CW. Hoechlin's portrayal has been praised for capturing Clark Kent's balance of humility, strength, and paternal warmth, grounding the character in both superheroics and family life. Corenswet is set to headline 'Superman', formerly titled 'Superman: Legacy', under the direction of James Gunn. The film will mark a new era for the DC Universe, with a younger take on the character and a fresh narrative direction. With Cavill and Hoechlin's blessings, Corenswet joins a long and iconic line of actors who have carried the mantle of the Man of Steel.
Mint
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Meet the only actor with net worth of $10 million who almost played Batman instead of Robert Pattinson
When Ben Affleck stepped away from the cowl, Warner Bros. launched a quiet but focused search for his replacement. 'Nosferatu' actor Nicholas Hoult and 'Twilight' actor Robert Pattinson emerged as the top contenders. Both actors reportedly screen-tested in Burbank, California, wearing the classic Val Kilmer Batsuit from 'Batman Forever'. It was a close race—but Pattinson ultimately won the role, which went public in May 2019. In a twist that feels straight out of a film itself, Hoult had revealed in an earlier interview that he found out about Pattinson's likely casting on the radio—just days before his own audition. 'It's not confirmed yet! I'm auditioning next weekend. Like, give me a chance.' While missing out on Batman might have stung, Hoult has since praised Pattinson's performance and the film's overall tone. 'I don't think I would have done as good a job as him,' he admitted in an interview. But don't count him out of the DC universe just yet—Hoult will soon step into the villain spotlight as Lex Luthor in 'Superman: Legacy', directed by James Gunn. What is the funny thing here? Here as well, Nicholas had auditioned for the role of Clark Kent aka Superman first. However, when David Corenswet was chosen to portray the Man of Steel, the role of his formidable enemy, Lex Luthor, went to Nicholas. So yes, Nicholas Hoult really did almost become Batman—he just chose Metropolis over Gotham instead. Off-screen, Hoult's career has been financially fruitful. As of early 2025, his net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million, according to multiple financial estimates. His earnings stem from a prolific acting career—including roles in 'X-Men', 'Mad Max: Fury Road', 'The Great', 'Renfield'—as well as endorsements, voice acting, and producing.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Superman' clip: An incredibly intense gimpse debuts; Lex Luthor kidnaps Krypto
A brand-new clip from 'Superman' drops fans into a scene filled with tension—and chaos—as the Man of Steel confronts his arch-nemesis. The scene depicts 'Superman' bursting through the double doors of Lex's opulent office. In a jaw-dropping moment of power, he lifts Lex Luthor's heavy desk with ease and flings it across the room, signifying he's not here for any kind of threats. This fierce moment not only highlights the physical power of Superman but also showcases the emotional depth of the James Gunn-led reboot. As Lex Luthor strikes where Superman is most vulnerable, audiences are briefed for a film that blends epic action with heartfelt stakes. The kidnapping revealed In the middle of the destruction, it becomes clear why 'Superman' is so nervous, as his loyal Kryptonian canine, Krypto, has been kidnapped. Lex, the cool antagonist, watches the confusion unfold while calmly sipping his coffee, and all he is doing is arranging a chess move. Lex's signature tactics Using loved ones as hostages is a long-lived move used by Lex Luthor, historically targeting Lois Lane, Supergirl, Ma Kent, and Jimmy Olsen. This time, by targeting Krypto, he hits a new emotional aspect with his strategic and ruthless approach. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Launch of the DCU's next chapter Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman, formerly Superman: Legacy, is positioned as the foundation of the new DC Universe, dropping in theatres July 11, 2025. Meet the cast The characters include David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Clark Kent/Kal-El; Rachel Brosnahan plays the intrepid reporter Lois Lane; Nicholas Hoult embodies the enigmatic Lex Luthor; and supporting DC heroes include Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern. Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific July 11 is the release date, which is approaching fast, and the clip is a strong indication of what is to come. Superman - Official Tamil Trailer
