{"id":219508,"date":"2021-03-19T14:00:33","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T14:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gamerant.com\/dceu-new-superman-movie-different\/"},"modified":"2021-03-19T14:00:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T14:00:33","slug":"dceu-how-a-new-superman-movie-can-differentiate-itself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2021\/03\/19\/dceu-how-a-new-superman-movie-can-differentiate-itself\/","title":{"rendered":"DCEU: How A New Superman Movie Can Differentiate Itself"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Superman is the ultimate superhero. Regardless of personal preferences, Superman cemented the superhero archetype in 1938, and through his sustained popularity, he has become an internationally recognized icon. Yet, this flagship DC Comics character has struggled on the big screen. Man of Steel <\/em>(2013) was\u00a0the last solo Superman movie, and despite some positive highlights, Henry Cavil\u2019s portrayal of Clark Kent<\/a> and the overall tone left many mixed. Of course, Zack Snyder can do whatever he wants<\/a> with Superman, but it feels odd that the current mainstream version of Superman is one that deconstructs and questions his core characteristics.<\/p>\n

For a new Superman movie, the temptation is to recreate Richard Donner\u2019s first Superman: The Movie <\/em>(1979)<\/a>. There, Christopher Reeve encapsulated the cornfed sincerity of both bumbling Clark Kent and smiling Superman. Superman: The Movie <\/em>holds up wonderfully in many ways, especially Clark\u2019s romance with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), but it’s undoubtedly a product of its \u201870s era and many other aspects (including its goofy streak and bonkers time-travel ending) have aged poorly.<\/p>\n

RELATED: The DC Movies Can Do Something That Marvel Can\u2019t<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Superman should not just be a nostalgic re-tread of the past<\/a>. This is what Superman Returns <\/em>(2006) did, and although that film has its high-points, it is trapped in reverential awe of its predecessors instead of taking new steps forward. There must be a suitable compromise between such old-fashioned sensibility and Snyder\u2019s dark and gritty outlook, a way of innovating Superman while remaining loyal to his foundations.<\/p>\n

But there is hope for Superman fans. On the CW, Superman & Lois <\/em><\/a>has the Last Son of Krypton (Tyler Hoechlin) raising his children with big-hearted optimism. And acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates is attached to a new Superman feature<\/a>. Alongside being an accomplished author and essayist, Coates has also worked with Marvel Comics on Black Panther <\/em>and is currently concluding a run on Captain America<\/em><\/a>. As with that series, Coates undoubtedly has big ideas of what an American icon like Superman ought to represent in today\u2019s society. Whatever road Coates takes Superman down, including potentially changing his race, here are some humble suggestions of what a new Superman film could use.<\/p>\n

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Smallville had a show named after it<\/a>, but Metropolis is the recognized city of Superman, acquiring a character of its own in the comics as the \u201cCity of Tomorrow.\u201d Yet in cinematic adaptations, Metropolis has been an indistinct backdrop. Christopher Reeve\u2019s Superman <\/em>films made Metropolis essentially the same as New York City, down to including the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks. Man of Steel <\/em>reduced Metropolis to rubble in its climax, and it remained forgettable in Batman v Superman <\/em>(2016) and Justice League <\/em>(2019). Superman Returns <\/em>actually provided the most personality, a mixture of 1930s art-deco and modern-day New York, but the stylization was still lacking.<\/p>\n

Compare this with DC\u2019s other famous city, Gotham<\/a>. Anton Furst won an Academy Award for his neo-Gothic production design on Batman <\/em>(1989), director Tim Burton calling it if \u201chell burst through the pavement and grew.\u201d Gotham in Burton\u2019s films is exaggerated and stylized, adding to the brooding, semi-monstrous atmosphere of those films. Similarly, Joel Schumacher\u2019s far gaudier iteration of Gotham in Batman Forever <\/em>(1995) and Batman & Robin <\/em>(1997)<\/a> features neon buildings and gigantic statues, with production designer Barbara Ling calling it \u201clike a World\u2019s Fair on ecstasy.\u201d Even the more \u201cgrounded\u201d Dark Knight Trilogy <\/em>by Christopher Nolan<\/a> made Gotham a sleek modernist city based\u00a0on Chicago, whom all the villains try to \u201ctake over\u201d in their battles against Batman (Christian Bale).<\/p>\n

Metropolis<\/a> should follow Gotham\u2019s model, not in form but in function. Every version of Gotham feels like a reflection of that Batman and its tone, so Metropolis should similarly reflect the \u201cMan of Tomorrow\u201d with an optimistic and forward-looking set design. Superman is a fantastical character, and a location that reflects that ambition and positive personality would go a long in building the groundwork for the film\u2019s overall atmosphere.<\/p>\n

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Superman can easily be viewed as some detached deity, benevolently saving humanity from above. But the best Superman stories understand his strength comes from such humanity, and he protects them not out of \u201cduty\u201d or \u201cdestiny,\u201d but because he genuinely treasures them. This faith in humanity becomes lost when Superman seems disillusioned with those he rescues, as in Batman v Superman<\/em><\/a>, or even the random acts of kindness he performs (like getting a cat out of a tree) in Superman: The Movie<\/em>.<\/p>\n

One remedy is to bolster the interactions Superman has with his supporting cast. Reshoots to Justice League <\/em>(2017)<\/a> had Superman talking to some kids in the opening, but more meaningful interactions could be embedded within his own story. Clark Kent connecting with the Daily Planet staff \u2013 aside from Lois Lane \u2013 could demonstrate his attachment to his \u201cadopted planet,\u201d alongside other human allies like Professor Emil Hamilton or\u00a0detective Maggie Sawyer.<\/p>\n

The DCEU has given lip-service that Superman was a \u201csymbol of hope,\u201d but this was rarely reflected in the actual text. A significant supporting cast around Superman could showcase his societal and inspirational impact. Plus, although a solo Superman film shouldn\u2019t become overstuffed with other superheroes, figures like Steel or the Legion of Superheroes could embody the enduring legacy that Superman has created.<\/p>\n

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Over his past 80-plus year history, Superman has picked up an expansive and varied rogue\u2019s gallery<\/a>. Yet in the movies, he has only faced variations of Lex Luthor and evil Kryptonians. Antagonists like Doomsday and Steppenwolf present a bland physical threat, without being particularly interesting to watch. A new Superman film, particularly with modern special effects, should spice up the villains<\/a> Superman faces and how their battles operate.<\/p>\n

Brainiac is an obvious choice, being a classic villain that creates an intellectual threat to Superman, while his alien \u201canthropological\u201d tendency to miniaturize and collect civilizations darkly contrasts Superman living amongst them. Bizarro is another interesting choice, as despite being another Superman \u201cdouble,\u201d Bizarro\u2019s misguided motivations and backward-thinking create a unique opponent for Superman to encounter, and perhaps even reason with, instead of simply defeat. Similarly, the fifth-dimensional imp Mister Mxyzptlk has near-omnipotent powers and is someone Superman would need to outwit instead of physically beat (maybe similar to Dormammu in Doctor Strange <\/em>(2016)<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Even if\u00a0there had to be\u00a0a physical confrontation, there are still plenty of fresh options. Toyman, for instance, could leave a series of challenges for Superman to solve, but is not above getting into a giant robot. Likewise, including Titano the Super-Ape would give Superman the opportunity to basically fight King Kong<\/a>. Superman\u2019s incredible powerset allows him to fight enemies of all shapes and sizes, but beforehand the films have been limited in their technology and imaginations. A dynamic new foe could both meaningfully contribute to the story\u2019s themes, and provide an innovative new obstacle for Superman.<\/p>\n

MORE: Video Breaks Down Differences In Zack Snyder’s Justice League<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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With Ta-Neihis Coates writing a new Superman film, what can it add to make it different from before?<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":940,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"DCEU: How A New Superman Movie Can Differentiate Itself - ITTeacherITFreelance.hk","description":"With Ta-Neihis Coates writing a new Superman film, what can it add to make it different from before?"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[607],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219508"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/940"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219508"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":219511,"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219508\/revisions\/219511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}