It begins. A new era in superhero movies is here – and this time it’s got nothing to do with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. James Gunn begins a new era with the premiere of Superman launching the DC Universe onto the big screen on July 11.
The creative direction for DC superheroes has changed hands a lot over the years, meaning it’s perhaps trailed behind Marvel’s growing web of interlinked stories, worlds, and dimensions. Could James Gunn be about to see similar success with the new DC Universe he is pioneering? Cineworld took these questions straight to a super fan ahead of Superman’s release. And trust us when we say he’s got the credentials to be a true superhero super fan.
Hi Owen! First things first, could you introduce Cineworld readers to who you are?
Hi! My name is Owen Farrington, and I produce the popular YouTube series, Owen Likes Comics. I’ve been a fan of superheroes for over 20 years, having grown up around the comics and cartoons. Now, I work professionally researching and writing about the real-world history of superheroes and the people responsible for bringing them to life.
Considering what has come before, what do you think about the launch of James Gunn’s new DC Universe franchise?
I’m tremendously excited. DC has a storied history on the big screen, dating back to Superman (1978), and there have been so many incredible adaptations of these characters. The last few years have seen a fair amount of ups and downs, but this new universe under James Gunn excites me. I’ve loved Gunn’s work with Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s an excellent filmmaker and also a huge comic book fan, which I think is a perfect combination for launching this new era of DC movies!
No stranger to Superman and his peers, what was your first encounter with Superman, and how did that initial experience shape your personal connection to the character and his world?
My earliest memories of Superman likely came from the Christopher Reeve films and the 1990s animated series. I have vivid memories of owning a VHS copy of the World's Finest crossover episode (where Superman teams up with Batman for the first time) and watching it repeatedly. My first loves were definitely Spider-Man and Batman as a child, but Superman has consistently grown on me. As soon as I read All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, it immediately changed my perception and made Superman my favourite character.
What are those aspects of Superman’s character that resonate with you and made him become a favourite?
There’s plenty! His humanity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to selflessness and helping others are traits I’ve grown to truly respect and admire as an adult. As cheesy as it sounds, Superman is the kind of man you should aspire to be, and I think that message is still essential for audiences today.
Absolutely. Let’s all be a bit more like Superman!
What do you believe are the core pillars of Superman that the new film needs to capture to be considered a faithful adaptation?
I’ve enjoyed each on-screen iteration of Superman, but they’ve all focused on different aspects of the character. One aspect of Superman’s history that has yet to be explored in film is his cosmic and sci-fi roots. In the comics, Superman regularly fights giant monsters, aliens and threats from other dimensions. His stories are deeply fantastical, even when they’re underpinned by real human emotion. Judging from the trailers (with Krypto and the kaiju creature), it seems like Gunn is including these elements of Superman’s lore, which will be really cool to see.
Are there any specific elements or moments you are most eagerly anticipating playing out on screen as a long-time fan?
James Gunn has spoken about taking influence from All-Star Superman, which is my favourite comic. It’s a bombastic story with plenty of action, but there’s a moment where Superman saves a young girl in a very scary situation, just by talking to her and connecting with her emotionally. It’s a beautiful moment that highlights Superman’s true power: empathy. I would love to see that be adapted on-screen.
How do you feel about the idea of the new Superman film being an introduction to the character of Superman to new audiences?
I think audiences are eager and ready for a new take on Superman. He’s such a famous character, even people with no interest in superheroes know virtually every detail about his lore, but this is his first solo film since 2013. Other superheroes have dominated the film industry since then. As the original and archetypical superhero, it only feels right that Superman is a central part of this period where DC and Marvel’s heroes are integral to popular culture.
The film is being released into a culture saturated by the superhero genre. What challenges and opportunities do you think a new Superman film faces today?
There exists a perception of Superman as ‘old-fashioned’ and/or ‘hard to relate to’. Some people believe that, because he’s so powerful, it’s difficult to connect to Superman in the same way you would with Batman, Iron Man or Spider-Man. But my favourite Superman stories are all human stories, about genuine issues we all experience, just on a bigger scale.
Superman can fly and bullets bounce off him, but he’s a person with everyday problems, anxieties and self-doubts. His best stories – in comics, animation and film – highlight his humanity and relatability. In my opinion, that’s the key to making audiences relate to Superman, and what helps him stand out in a crowded superhero genre.
Do you see the new Superman film as a fresh start, continuation, or something else entirely?
It’s a clear restart, but you can see plenty of influence from prior Superman films. From the trailers alone, Christopher Reeve’s portrayal has been a major inspiration, and there are also several aspects similar to Henry Cavill’s iteration. While the film itself marks a fresh start, it’s part of a long and storied history of Superman on the big screen, and I expect it to pay homage to all the previous depictions of the Man of Steel.
Looking beyond this single film, what do you hope this new iteration of Superman establishes within the broader DC Universe? What legacy do you want it to leave?
Above all else, I want people to feel a sense of hope and excitement. I’ve been a Superman fan for over 20 years, but many people aren’t as passionate about the character. I hope this film showcases everything that makes him so great and why he has remained such a beloved hero for 80+ years, and creates a whole new generation of fans. The best legacy it can leave is having people exit the cinema smiling and excited to go back.
Lastly, when you head to the cinema to see the latest superhero film, what’s your favourite format to see it in?
I expect to watch Superman more than once. I have already booked tickets for an IMAX showing on opening day, but experiencing a movie like this in 4DX would be unbelievably cool, too!
We love to hear it, Owen!
Owen Farrington is the writer, producer, and host of popular YouTube series Owen Likes Comics, garnering over 113,000 subscribers and 16 million views on videos exploring the history of comic book superheroes, supported by his PhD in History. Owen now also regularly contributes to The Superhero Project, an academic conference dedicated to the study of comics and superhero media, with a forthcoming publication in The Routledge Companion to Superhero Studies, scheduled for release later this year.
Check out Owen through his YouTube Channel Owen Likes Comics and over on X.
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