Extra so than it has in fairly a while, the movie aspect of the DC Universe is gaining optimistic momentum. Recent off the information that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been named the co-CEOs of the brand new DC Studios, followers are buzzing in regards to the future. This optimistic step comes after the electrifying information that Henry Cavill is certainly again as Superman. Mixed, these strikes signify a considerable shift within the DCU, and nobody can precisely predict the way it will all play out at this stage.
Nevertheless, with Cavill’s return, “The Final Son of Krypton” is seemingly set to regain his rightful place on the forefront of DC’s movie slate. It’s laborious to imagine, however whereas Cavill has performed the hero for practically a decade, he hasn’t been considerably concerned with a brand new mission that includes the character since Justice League got here out in 2017. (Zack Snyder’s Justice League doesn’t actually matter.) With that in thoughts, there’s a lot untapped potential for Superman within the DCU.
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Even when one components within the quartet of flicks the place Christopher Reeves delivered his iconic portrayal and Brandon Routh’s memorable flip in Superman Returns, these movies barely scratched the floor. Numerous basic comedian tales may function wonderful supply materials for Cavill’s Superman mission(s), and having a look at simply three of them affords a glimpse of this wealthy nicely of prospects.
All-Star Superman
Maybe the perfect guess could be to return to the fundamentals. The Superman followers have seen since Man of Metal has been criticized for being too darkish and violent. Borrowing from probably the most beloved Superman tales of all time may assist get the character again on observe and remind followers why he’s such a legendary hero. Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman is centered round his dying days; after he’s overexposed to photo voltaic radiation, he’s left with a 12 months to dwell. From there, the story performs all of the hits, from Superman revealing his secret id to Lois Lane to teaming up along with her to combat an enormous monster.
The story additionally options loads of coronary heart, as Kal-El speaks together with his father and has a climactic showdown together with his nemesis, Lex Luthor, which incorporates the villain weeping after he sees Superman’s imaginative and prescient for Earth. There’s no completely satisfied ending right here; Superman dies, so an adaptation would probably should make loads of adjustments in an effort to go away room for future movies. Nevertheless, borrowing from All-Star Superman could possibly be a becoming method to showcase the primary parts of the hero and his supporting solid whereas additionally re-establishing the intense tone he’s recognized for.
Superman: Brainiac
A brand new Superman film is an applicable time to start out contemporary, so it could be higher if it avoids going again to the identical nicely of villains followers have seen earlier than. Normal Zod and Lex Luther have been featured earlier than, however “The Man of Metal” has loads of charming antagonists to select from. Within the fashionable world, Brainiac could possibly be essentially the most compelling choice. A cross between a superb alien and a chilly, unfeeling machine, Brainiac has modified loads through the years, so there are a number of variations of the character to select from. In a nutshell, he’s sometimes a extremely superior supercomputer who, at occasions, has ambitions of common conquest. He additionally seeks common data regardless of his characterization as a super-genius that simply outranks even the neatest people on the planet.
As certainly one of Superman’s basic villains, he has battled the hero many occasions, however Superman: Brainiac definitely packs a punch. Kal-El learns that Brainiac shrank a Kryptonian metropolis and was at fault for the deaths of quite a few Kryptonians. In fact, Brainiac targets Earth, and it’s as much as Superman and Supergirl to cease him. Regardless of being a regular hero vs. alien story, this one carries loads of weight, and it may be a logical method to convey Supergirl into the DCU.
Superman: President Luthor
As talked about, Luthor has been featured in a number of motion pictures, as Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Jesse Eisenberg have performed him through the years, to not point out Michael Rosenbaum’s televised portrayal on Smallville. However there’s a purpose the villain has a lot endurance; he’s the right foil to Superman. The motives behind his hatred of the hero have various through the years, however as a rule, it boils all the way down to a battle of excellent and evil.
This battle might be magnified if the following Superman film borrows from the “President Luthor” storyline. Because the identify suggests, Luthor turns into the president of the USA and makes use of his energy to make Superman’s life a dwelling hell. He additionally learns of Kal-El’s human id and makes use of it in opposition to him whereas additionally making an attempt to leverage an alien invasion into an try and make himself appear like an almighty chief. There are many choices with this story alone; the DCU may maintain it considerably grounded and give attention to President Luthor’s misdeeds on the nationwide stage, or it may go so far as the aforementioned combat with aliens. Both approach, leaning on “President Luthor” could be a dynamic path ahead that might cement Luthor as a heinous villain and shine a lightweight on Superman’s patriotism.
These are only a few examples, and there are numerous different Superman tales that might function nice foundations for the hero’s return to the DCU. Whether or not it’s enjoying the hits, spotlighting a brand new villain, or revisiting Superman’s nemesis, the probabilities are limitless, and there’s good purpose to suppose that any variety of them may assist flip “The Man of Metal” again right into a beloved character.
