Just six short years ago, James Gunn and his creative team embarked on a daring project that reimagined the iconic superhero narrative by showcasing a twisted version of teenage Superman. This wasn’t a depiction of Bizarro Superman or Ultraman, but rather an unofficial, nightmarish interpretation that included themes of parental murder and apocalyptic destruction fueled by teenage turmoil. Instead of performing heroic deeds, this character engaged in voyeurism and committed acts of horrific violence, such as gruesomely injuring a waitress. It’s fascinating to see how Gunn, who is now at the helm of the new DC Universe and directs the vibrant and optimistic Superman slated for 2025, once directed a project that stands in stark contrast to Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. This is the remarkable journey of how the horror film Brightburn was created against all odds, navigating through canceled appearances and controversies to deliver a visually stunning anti-Superman story on a minuscule budget.

The film Brightburn was initially introduced to audiences under the mysterious title “Untitled James Gunn Horror Project.” The plan was to officially reveal it at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con. Although Gunn was set to produce rather than direct the film, the creative force behind it consisted of his brother, Brian Gunn, and his cousin, Mark Gunn, with David Yarovesky taking on the role of director. The collaborative spirit among Gunn, Yarovesky, and their shared love for video games and comic books forged a strong bond, leading to previous collaborations, including a VR game based on The Belko Experiment. This was far from a token producer role; Yarovesky had the privilege of working closely with Gunn on set, learning and adapting his vision. His directorial experience from the 2014 horror film The Hive and various other projects proved invaluable.

The creative process behind Brightburn flourished from a simple yet chilling question: What if the Superman narrative spiraled into chaos? This concept united the creative team, pushing them to explore the darker aspects of the superhero mythos. Writing a non-traditional Superman film in the wake of Zack Snyder’s divisive Man of Steel presented both challenges and opportunities. The film’s trailer and striking cinematography vividly illustrate how Brightburn serves as a twisted reflection of Snyder’s Superman universe, both visually and thematically. This intriguing meta concept could have easily impressed horror legends like Wes Craven.

From a visual perspective, the project enlisted cinematographer Michael Dallatorre, who previously collaborated with Yarovesky on both The Hive and Guardians of the Galaxy music video for “Inferno.” Their collaborative “date nights” involved watching horror films and brainstorming creative approaches for their work. Having a director and cinematographer adept at maximizing limited resources proved crucial, especially considering Brightburn was produced on a budget of approximately $6 million. For comparison, both Man of Steel and the upcoming Superman film had budgets around $225 million.

Finding the right actor to portray the malevolent not-Superman, Brandon Breyer, presented a significant challenge for Gunn. The casting team required a young teen capable of convincingly embodying a force of destruction. Surprisingly, they found their ideal Brandon in just one round of auditions, with actor Jackson A. Dunn delivering a standout performance. The casting of Brandon’s parents was equally crucial, as they needed to demonstrate genuine parental love while facing moral dilemmas. Elizabeth Banks was an excellent choice, as her portrayal captured the joy and excitement of motherhood, while David Denman, known for roles in The Office and 13 Hours, brought depth to the character of Kyle Breyer, the well-meaning but misguided father.

Fans of Breaking Bad may recognize Matt Jones, who played Kyle’s unfortunate best friend Noah, while the ever-charismatic Michael Rooker made a cameo as a fiery news anchor. Rooker and Gunn’s friendship spans years, and Yarovesky even portrayed one of Rooker’s Ravagers in the Guardians films. With a budget of this size, such collaborations were essential to bring this unique project to life.

The special effects of Brightburn were handled by Trixter, a company known for their work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, employing a dedicated team of 64 artists to complete 239 special effects shots, with 192 ultimately making it into the film.

A particularly complex scene involved Brandon melting his adopted father’s face with laser beams. The team captured the actor’s genuine reaction and crafted a dummy head, layering digital effects to reveal bone and tissue in a gruesome yet captivating manner. This blend of practical and digital effects was vital to achieving the film’s ambitious vision on a limited budget.

One of the most infamous sequences includes Noah’s gruesome death, where his jaw is violently dislocated after Brandon drops a truck on him. The jaw drops away like a soggy lasagna, showcasing the film’s commitment to shock value and horror. To create this effect, the team used a practical jaw prop and digitally edited out the actor’s actual jaw, adding a CG tongue and other gruesome details to enhance the horror. Another notable moment features a waitress suffering a horrific injury from a tube light explosion, culminating in her pulling a shard of glass from her eye, which was achieved through a combination of practical effects and intricate puppetry.

Sound design played a pivotal role in amplifying the horror of Brightburn, particularly given its constrained budget. In one chilling scene, the audience is taken inside the waitress’s perspective as she is stalked by Brandon, with sound panning creating an immersive experience. The auditory elements, from the sounds of the spaceship to Brandon’s internal turmoil, significantly enhanced the film’s horror atmosphere. When the budget limited visual effects, the sound design became a critical storytelling tool, effectively immersing viewers in the chaos. The unsettling soundscape was crafted by PK Hooker, known for his work on the Halloween (2018) film, while the score was composed by Timothy Williams, who also included the Billie Eilish track “Bad Guy” in the end credits.

Brandon’s iconic mask was designed by the director’s wife, Autumn Steed, who took on the challenge of creating a horror mask that would stand alongside famous characters like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers. The mask and costume were carefully designed to reflect Brandon’s psychological transformation throughout the film. The color blue signifies his earthly ties, while red symbolizes his alien heritage. The film’s visual storytelling cleverly uses color palettes to represent Brandon’s changing emotions as the narrative progresses.

The evolving dynamics between Brandon and his parents highlight the complex themes of nature versus nurture that permeate the film. The writers drew parallels between Brandon’s storyline and the struggles of adolescence, akin to the narrative in Stephen King’s Carrie, but through the lens of parental responsibility. They referenced Far From the Tree, exploring the emotional turmoil experienced by the parents of real-life tragedies. This thematic depth led to mixed reactions during test screenings, with some audiences cheering for Brandon’s violent acts—an unintended consequence of his superhero-like portrayal in a horror context.

Initially, the film was meant to conclude with Brandon’s mother, Tori, defeating him, but Gunn suggested a more unconventional ending where evil triumphs. This bold choice resonated with audiences seeking fresh narratives in a landscape often dominated by predictable outcomes.

The initial reveal of Brightburn was slated for the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, but following the resurfacing of Gunn’s past controversial tweets and his brief firing from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the announcement was scrapped. Instead, the trailer reminiscent of Man of Steel debuted online in December 2018, with the film hitting theaters on May 24, 2019. A censored version featuring less violence was released in the UK a month later.

The modest budget ultimately became a double-edged sword for Brightburn, as it fell short of box office expectations, grossing only $33 million worldwide. It opened in fifth place during its debut week and plummeted to ninth place in its second week, experiencing a 70% drop in attendance. The film garnered mixed reviews and received a C+ CinemaScore from audience polling. The saturated superhero market at the time likely played a role in its underwhelming performance, but Brightburn remains a refreshing film to revisit years later.

So, what implications arise from the intriguing post-credit scene featuring Michael Rooker, a sea creature, Frank Darbo from Super, and a witch? In 2019, Gunn hinted at the potential for a sequel amid his busy schedule with Suicide Squad and Guardians Vol. 3. However, in 2024, he revealed to a fan on Threads that the rights were complicated, with him owning only half, making a sequel unlikely.

If you’re searching for a glimmer of hope regarding the future of this franchise, the writers have expressed their enthusiasm for not only a sequel but also the potential for a broader universe. The director has noted that if a sequel were ever announced, it would be done unexpectedly, similar to how Brightburn was originally revealed. So, there’s still a chance for fans to look forward to. And that… is the captivating saga of what happened to Brightburn.

A couple of the previous episodes of this show can be viewed below. To explore more, head over to our JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel and consider subscribing while you’re there!