The newest DC Superman: Legacy, released in July 2025, directed by James Gunn, stars David Corenswet as the iconic protagonist Clark Kent, alongside Nicholas Hoult as our antagonist Lex Luthor.
The blockbuster movie was almost exactly what our culture needed. with overwhelmingly good reviews. Superman landed incredibly well. Gunn was faced with many fans with many boxes hoping to be checked, many of whom had seen more than 10+ previous adaptations of this comic. With ease, he was able to fulfill most, if not all.
In his own style, Gunn not only spoke to the youth but also made a statement on masculinity.
The storyline does not stray too far from the comic that America knows and loves. We still see things like his Fortress of Solitude, or his iconic armor. We see familiar characters like our villain Lex Luther or his girlfriend Lois Lane. We see a creative introduction of a new trio of popular characters: Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and Mr. Terrific.
The storyline still follows plotlines like his origins on the planet Krypton, but specifically focuses on America’s perspective on him being an alien. His main conflict is being framed by Lex Luthor to have been sent to Earth on a mission to destroy humanity. I would say the plot was well-rounded and well-received.
Superman could be argued to be the most iconic superhero. He is timeless, simple, and a staple in traditional metaphysical media. His origin story is tragic yet powerful. Without a doubt, Superman encapsulates masculinity.
In the action genre of today’s media, we see many masculine heroes/villains embody violence, hatred, or specific ideology. They may have a very cold demeanor, usually driven by some “villain origin story“.
However, Gunn’s Superman is a character who displays kindness and empathy, and these only make him a stronger character by showing how his loved ones build a stable support system behind him. For example, the communication with his girlfriend, Lois, and the touching relationship with his parents make him an even more powerful hero.
We see touching scenes like the emotional conversation between him and his father, or the fight/resolution between him and Lois. These emotional moments are followed by scenes that display him to be most confident and powerful.
He displays empathy in every situation, even towards the people that he is fighting against. He is able to resolve issues and connect to the people around him through communication and expressed emotions. Although Superman is fighting monsters, villains, and all of America turning against him, Superman is never motivated by anger. Rather, we see that he works in every situation from a place of moral good and the well-being of others.
Initially, the buzz all over social media about this movie had come after the trailer. But close after the release, Superman took the internet by storm with the song Punkrocker by the Teddybears. Many fans use the term ‘punkrock’ to describe celebrities and idols who align their values with Superman. This was not only a way for Gunn to brand his masculinity message, but also a previously underrated song getting well deserved attention.
I think Gunns’ take is innovative and modern; it holds a strong narrative that speaks to everyday people, and even more to the youth. He keeps Superman’s traditional story and aesthetic while bringing a fresh perspective to popular media. He brings positivity and good feelings to all viewers with action packed entertainment.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether you like superheroes; Superman: Legacy is worth a watch (or two) by everyone.
