David S. Goyer, the writer behind 2013’s Man of Steel, has shared his thoughts on James Gunn’s new Superman movie, and it turns out he’s a big fan of the fresh approach to the iconic DC hero.
Goyer is no stranger to the DC Universe. He co-wrote Batman Begins and contributed to the stories for The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
He later teamed up with Zack Snyder on Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. His resume also includes Marvel projects like the Blade trilogy and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, he even directed Blade: Trinity.
Speaking with Cinemablend while promoting The Sandman, Goyer was asked about Gunn’s optimistic take on Superman, which is a sharp contrast to the darker, more grounded tone he helped craft in the DCEU, and he loved it.
“I really liked it. People always assume that because I did The Dark Knight, I wouldn’t like The Batman, but I really enjoyed it. Each generation gets the Superman they need.
“It felt like the pendulum with Man of Steel, obviously that was a much darker grounded version, and, and we’re in a very different place, and I love that just the tagline that ‘Kindness is punk rock.’”
Goyer also praised the film’s cast and Gunn’s bold creative choices.
“I think that [David] Corenswet is incredibly appealing. I never would have thought to use Krypto, and Krypto was delightful. And then I think the guy that stole the show was Mr. Terrific, who Geoff Johns and I basically turned into a real character in the Justice Society.”
“So I was thrilled, I thought Mr. Terrific was awesome. Metamorpho, same. I love seeing a live action Metamorpho, and those are the kind of things that James Gunn can get away with, and God bless him because I love all these those weird quirky tertiary DC characters. I really enjoyed it and I was rooting for it, so I’m happy it’s been successful.”
Gunn’s Superman has been embraced by critics and fans for its hopeful tone, even though it’s facing challenges at the overseas box office. Gunn himself acknowledged the issue in a recent interview:
“It also affects things that we have a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us. So I think it’s just a matter of letting something grow. But again, for us, everything’s been a total win.”
He added that this movie is only the beginning of something bigger:
“Having the movie come out and be something that has been embraced by people everywhere — this is just the seed of the tree that Peter [Safran] and I have been watering for the past three years. So to be able to have it start off so positively has been incredibly overwhelming.”
Despite box office hurdles, Superman is poised to serve as the foundation for Gunn’s DCU, following the turbulent final years of the DCEU. Fans are excited about what’s coming next.
What do you think of Goyer’s comments? Do you like the new hopeful approach to Superman, or do you miss the darker, brooding version?
