From the recent Superman trailer alone, it’s clear that DC is trying to enter a brighter, perhaps more cheerful era of superhero movies. Directed by James Gunn, the man behind Guardians of the Galaxy, this new take on the beloved superhero leans into the pep, humor, and heart of its comic book roots. Gone are the grim, complex heroes of the Snyderverse. Instead, we get a completely new Superman (David Corenswet) ready to swoop in and save the day, with his trusted dog Krypto by his side.
For more than a solid decade, director Zack Snyder reigned over the DC Universe with a dark, gritty fist. Films like Justice League, Man of Steel, and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice split a once-strong fanbase, leaving many to question his obsession with bleak visuals and brooding narratives. The tension between Snyder and DC came to a head when the director withdrew from helming Justice League during its post-production phase, allowing The Avengers director Joss Whedon to take over.
While traces of the Snyderverse still linger — especially in recent DC films like The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which feature actors originally cast by Snyder — the studio now appears eager to turn the page with its upcoming blockbuster, Superman.
Will this new chapter of DC blockbusters fly eerily close to the snark, comedy, and feel-good-ness of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Will Gunn be the one to heal a fanbase fractured by the Snyder era? Only time will tell — but for now, let’s enjoy dog dad Superman, with classic red undies to boot.
