Pleasing Superman has never been simple. He’s not just a superhero—he’s an icon, a concept, and for several decades, a cultural reference for what it is to be good, sacrificial, and human.
With James Gunn’s vibrant new take in the works and Henry Cavill’s grittier version still in our minds, it’s as good a time as ever to look into how these incredibly different incarnations of the Man of Steel both say something profound.
James Gunn’s Superman: Hopeful, Cheesy, and Unafraid to Smile
James Gunn’s Superman doesn’t stint on what most would characterize as “corny.” And that’s the point. This Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet, is all charisma, wide-eyed optimism, and unapologetic heroism. As NPR notes, the character’s foundation has always been selflessness and unblinkering resolve, but Gunn puts something extra in the mix: sincerity. This Superman says things like “golly” and blushes at a Lois Lane crack about his music tastes.
He’s not trying to chill—he’s trying to be good. That also involves bringing back the bright red trunks, a style borrowed straight from Joe Shuster’s original design. Even Superman’s canine, Krypto, gets his moment in what looks to be going to be a film full of heart, humor, and humanity.
In a time when so many superhero stories get dark and deep into trauma and moral ambiguity, Gunn’s Superman gives us something happily uncomplicated: a hero who leads by doing. As NPR distills, “Superman is an ideal. He’s not the one you see yourself in—he’s the one who shows you what you could be.” It might not be the most hip or groundbreaking interpretation, but it taps a sense we’ve lost—joy.
Henry Cavill’s Superman: Alienation, Duty, and Quiet Strength
Henry Cavill’s Superman, by contrast, was built on restraint. His take, first seen in Man of Steel, wasn’t perpetual grinning and flying-around heroics—it was thoughtful, contemplative, and emotionally complex. Often misinterpreted, this Superman had the world’s problems quite literally sitting on his shoulders.
During an interview in 2013, Cavill explained that his role wasn’t playing a flawless savior figure, but what it requires to survive as an alien in the world of human beings—an outsider who would never be able to join anything. As Screen Rant observed, Cavill swore, “If we did find an alien among us, how would we act? And most importantly, how would the alien feel?
This Superman was not loved by all, but he brought an emotional depth to the character. You could see the struggle in his eyes—the pull to help and the fear of being rejected. That struggle made him real in a world that is so often uncertain and polarized.
Why We Need Both Versions
It’s simple to argue which one is “better,” but that’s missing the larger perspective. Superman has endured almost a century not because he has remained static, but because he continues to evolve. Cavill’s Superman spoke to those who’ve ever known they’re on the outside looking in, and Gunn’s rendition allows us to believe once more in good-heartedness.
As Screen Rant aptly put it, “If every portrayal of Superman was identical, we’d just be watching the same story over and over.” What makes the character compelling is how different storytellers can reveal new layers while staying true to the heart of who he is.
A Superman That Reflects the Times
Every film Superman has come at a time of cultural necessity. Following Watergate disillusionment, Richard Donner presented us with a hero brimming with sincerity and promise. Cavill’s Superman came along during an era when tales of alienation and ethical nuance seemed particularly resonant.
And now, during an era that craves hope and definition, Gunn’s radiant, unashamed Superman could be the reminder we require that decency and optimism never go out of style.
Ultimately, Superman is not simply one thing. He’s a constantly shifting image of what we are, what we’re afraid of, and what we hope to be. If you prefer the brooding isolation of Cavill’s Superman or the sunny fortitude of Gunn’s, there’s space for both beneath that recognizable cape. And for this reason, the Man of Steel continues to soar.