With two negative appraisals of Superman leaked over the last few days, doomsayers were announcing that James Gunn and Peter Safran's fledgling DCU was dead on arrival.
Now, however, Beebom.com has spotted something different. Jonathan Dean, of the UK newspaper The Sunday Times, has heralded the movie a "triumph". You can read the Beebom summary here
While not exactly a review (but neither is a comparison burried in an article for a different movie), it does have some positive and intriguing things to say, framed around an interview with James Gunn himself.
Themes of immigration, referenced in the interview, might be considered divisive in our current political climate, but what is Superman if not the ultimate refugee?
Whether or not this "woke" (or "wholly accurate depiction and awareness of important social issues and values") approach will impact the movie's success will become clear in a few days time, when we can all pass our own verdict.
It's hard to ignore that the DC brand has taken a beating over the last 12 years, starting with 2013's Man of Steel which disappointed many, even though it still has it's fans. Warner Bros handling of the character thereafter was not exactly strong either, with a clear lack of confidence in the character's box office potential. Whether that is the case, or a fresh start can bring people back to Superman is a question that will finally be answered this week.
Negative reviews won't help its box office, but they didn't seem to damage the recent success of Minecraft or Jurassic World: Rebirth, both with similar wide ranging demographics.
Releasing 11th July 2025, Superman, formerly Superman: Legacy, features a new cast with David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The movie also includes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Neva Howell as Ma Kent and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. If rumours are to be believed, Milly Alcock and Sean Gunn will also appear as Supergirl and Maxwell Lord, respectively. The film is directed by James Gunn, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Safran.
Superman, releases this week! Are you going to see it? Do reviews impact the choice of what you watch? Let us know in the comments below!
Image Credit: DC Studios