The future trajectory of DC Comics significantly hinges on the anticipated success of the upcoming Superman film, yet James Gunn, the director and co-CEO of DC Studios, has a different perspective. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn was asked how it feels to bear the immense responsibility of the franchise’s future on his shoulders. His response was refreshingly honest and offered a glimpse into his mindset regarding the project.
Gunn articulated, “Really, I just go, ‘That’s their business.’ Because that’s not the truth for me. My truth is this is the first movie out of DC Studios,” he explained. “Other people may say, ‘It’s gotta be a home run, nothing else.’ I’m like, ‘No, I’d be very happy with a double.’ F*g Iron Man wasn’t the be-all and end-all. It wasn’t Avatar. We are doing something that’s a piece of the puzzle. It’s not the puzzle itself. We have Peacemaker, we have Supergirl, and what we want to do is make a movie that people love; they feel connected to the characters. It’s just this one movie. It’s not everything.”
Continuing on this theme, Gunn expressed frustration with the media narrative surrounding the film, stating, “I hate it when there’s a f***ing article and it’s going on about all the problems and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and ‘that means even more pressure on James Gunn and Superman.’ I’m like, ‘Guys, I’m not responsible for all that. I’m responsible for my piece of the pie. I’ve gotta make my budget back. I’ll be very happy with that.’” His remarks underscore a critical point: while external expectations loom large, Gunn is focused on delivering a film that resonates with audiences rather than trying to meet every lofty expectation.
Understanding Gunn’s perspective sheds light on the greater conversation surrounding the Superman franchise. There exists a prevailing notion that for Superman to be deemed successful, it must achieve blockbuster status, raking in billions and receiving universal acclaim. Personally, I contend that this isn’t a necessity for success; however, it would be naive to overlook the potential serious discussions that may arise at Warner Bros. should Superman not perform well at the box office. While it is indeed just one film, it also marks the inception of a new franchise that could significantly influence the studio’s financial landscape in the years to come. As a fan, I sincerely hope it garners substantial success.
The cast of Superman features a talented ensemble, including David Corenswet (known for Pearl) portraying Clark Kent, alongside Rachel Brosnahan (from The Marvelous Ms. Maisel) as Lois Lane. The supporting cast includes Nathan Fillion (The Rookie) playing Guy Gardner, a charismatic yet slightly obnoxious member of the Green Lantern Corps; Isabela Merced (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) as Hawkgirl; Edi Gathegi (X-Men: First Class) as Mister Terrific; Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho; María Gabriela de Faría (Deadly Class) portraying The Engineer, a member of The Authority; Sara Sampaio (At Midnight) as Eve Teschmacher; Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) as Jimmy Olsen; Wendell Pierce (The Wire) as Perry White; Neva Howell (Logan Lucky) as Martha Kent; Pruitt Taylor-Vince (The Walking Dead) as Jonathan Kent; and Nicholas Hoult (The Great) as Lex Luthor. Mark your calendars, as Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11th.
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