James Gunn‘s Superman reboot, released last July, earned widespread praise and grossed over $615 million globally, becoming the top superhero film of 2025. However, the acclaimed writer Grant Morrison, known for his influential work on Superman comics, expressed mixed feelings about some of Gunn’s creative decisions in a recent interview, highlighting tensions around character portrayal and plot direction within the James Gunn Superman Reboot.
Grant Morrison’s Background and Initial Approval
Grant Morrison, a prolific comic book writer with extensive experience crafting various versions of the Man of Steel, including contributions to Action Comics, Superman, and The Authority, initially supported Gunn’s film. He acknowledged the movie as the “best Superman movie yet,” noting that it closely captured Superman’s essence. Yet, Morrison raised specific critiques related to the film’s emotional and narrative tone.
Concerns Over Superman’s Vulnerability and Strength
Morrison expressed frustration with the depiction of Superman enduring repeated physical defeats, stating that James Gunn’s choice to make the character more relatable came at a cost. Morrison said,
“It became the closest to capturing what Superman feels like. I had a few things I didn’t like about it,”
adding,
“[James] made specific choices that I think were made for dramatic reasons that were understandable…in order to make him seem more relatable, he had him getting beaten up an awful lot. I want to see him stop getting beaten up and fight back.”
This portrayal deviates from traditional versions where Superman often exhibits near-invincibility, reflecting Gunn’s intent to ground the hero in vulnerability.
Story Changes That Divided Fans and Creators Alike
One contentious plot twist was the revelation that Superman’s biological parents, Jor-El and Lara, sent him to Earth with ambitions for him to dominate the planet and build a harem. Morrison openly criticized this alteration from the classic Krypton mythos. He explained,
“I didn’t like it because I prefer wit hen Krypton’s this lost utopia,”
and continued,
“I like the idea that there was something amazing, and nature just wiped it out. Their own lack of attention to detail allowed them to be wiped out. I think there’s something much more poignant about that.”
While Morrison disapproved of the new backstory, he conceded that it functioned within the narrative Gunn crafted.
Fragility of Superman’s Morality and Clark Kent’s Crisis
Morrison found the fragility of Superman’s morality troubling, especially regarding Kal-El’s interpretation of his parents’ message, which appeared based on “wish-fulfilment bullshit.” Despite these concerns about Clark Kent’s instability in several scenes, Morrison appreciated moments where the character demonstrated resilience, particularly in his confrontation with Lex Luthor after the climactic battle. He said,
“They put him in a position where I was concerned that he would break down, lose his compass. The fact that he didn’t was just nice to see.”
What’s Next for Superman in the DC Universe?
Following his introduction in the James Gunn Superman Reboot, Superman is set for further development in the upcoming 2027 film Man of Tomorrow. This movie will feature Superman sharing the spotlight with Lex Luthor, whom Gunn intends to portray with heroic nuances, complicating traditional villainy. Man of Tomorrow includes a star-studded cast with David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag, Sr. Lars Eidinger has also joined the cast to play the main antagonist, Brainiac.
Anticipated Characters and Release
Speculation surrounds additional appearances by characters such as John Stewart/Green Lantern, portrayed by Aaron Pierre, and John Cena’s Peacemaker. Man of Tomorrow is slated for release on July 9, 2027, promising to expand the complexities of Superman’s story within the DC Universe.
