It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s a report from the set of Superman by James Gunn. In June, io9 was with other media in Cleveland, Ohio, invited to visit the set of one of the most anticipated superhero movies in history. The relaunch of the DC Universe starring the first and most famous superhero in the world, hand in hand of the man who made Guardians of the Galaxy. On that beautiful summer day we learned many things about the movie. And although we can’t tell everything right now, there are things to share.
In anticipation of the first trailer for the film this Thursday we can reveal part of our interview with Gunn, conducted in the Daily Planet building. He talked about the beginning of the film, the filming of action scenes, the music you will hear, the costumes, supporting the superheroes, the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, the title change, the connection of the film with the DC Universe in general, and much more.
Are you interested? So, read on. There are 15 things we found out on the set of Supermanand what James Gunn told us. Thank you, Warner Bros. for paying for my travel and lodging.
The film begins in a singular way
We have known for a long time that the Superman Gunn’s story won’t be an origin story, but on set he explained that the movie will begin in the middle of an action scene, and said how long the story is.
“We started in the middle of the action,” Gunn said. “Superman already exists. Lois and Clark already know each other. Lex hates Superman from the beginning even though they don’t know each other personally. So we started right in the middle of the action.”
The story takes place over a short period
After Superman appears in action, the film’s story takes place in “a short amount of time,” Gunn said.
Superman It has to do with legacy, but it needed a title change
When it was announced Superman of Gunn, it was called Superman Legacy. But at the beginning of 2024 that changed, and now it is just called Superman. Gunn explained why, and how the legacy remains.
“I thought maybe the title had something like nostalgia and this has nothing to do with looking back. It is looking forward. So by watching the movie you will understand where the legacy comes from, because it’s about Clark, and his relationship with his Kryptonian parents and his relationship with his human parents and where his legacy comes from. But he doesn’t look back.”
The action scenes were filmed in the air
As Superman can fly, Gunn wanted there to be incredible action scenes, not only on the ground but also in the air. To do so he took inspiration from some very good films and used technologies that he advanced.
“Being able to film in the sky…that is very difficult. So we take a lot from movies like Top Gun: MaverickGunn said. “We filmed a lot of action scenes with drones flying around Superman and the people he was flying with, like the Engineer and others. And we did it with sound. “Now we have these little drones that are crazy, and we have some of the best flyers in the world who know how to use them.”
more serious than Guardians of the Galaxy
While Gunn’s previous superhero films have leaned more toward comedy, that’s not the tone he chose for Superman.
“I start in a place full of hope and fun, but with my feet on the ground and at the same time, very serious. “It has humor, but it is not as comedy-like as Suicide Squad o Guardians. There is a lot of humor. Rachel [Brosnahan, Lois Lane] It’s funny and David [Corenswet, Superman] Also, so there is humor but it is about creating something based on a world full of fantasy. It’s fantasy and takes things from places like Game of Thrones where this universe is one in which superheroes actually exist. What are they like? There is a magic there that cannot be denied.”
It’s a film based on scores, but it’s not a musical (but there is John Williams)
The long-time composer, John Murphy, makes the scores for Superman and Gunn confirmed that there will be much more of an orchestra than in his films. Guardians. But when thinking about Superman and music, one thinks only of one person. And yes, there it is.
“There are nods to [John] Williams, and also John Murphy created this beautiful score. But it’s not a soundtrack. It’s not that it’s about the songs. Yes, there are songs. And of course I chose them beforehand but it’s not like any of my previous films in terms of the music driving it.”
Superman has shorts for a good reason
When Superman’s suit was revealed there was a lot of talk about the shorts. It was not what Zack Snyder chose, and although Gunn and his team did not decide, there was a very good reason. And it was given by Superman himself.
“We were trying different versions and then we tried with and without shorts. One of the things David said is that Superman doesn’t want children to fear him. It’s kind of otherworldly. With incredible powers. Rays come out of his eyes. He has a lot of power and might be considered scary. He wants others to like him. It wants to be a symbol of hope and positivism. So he dresses like a professional wrestler. So that people are not afraid of him, to show hope, those positive things. There I understood it. I think pretending there isn’t something frivolous about Superman’s costume is trying to make him look serious, and that’s silly because he’s a superhero. It is the first, with bright colors. That’s Superman.”
Mister Terrific es crucial
One of the many things that makes Superman What’s different about Gunn is that there will be other superheroes, like Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion). Gunn says that Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi of For All Mankind) is the leader.
“I love Mister Terrific. They are characters who have their moment. All. It’s not just cameos but the characters. They are the supporting cast but Mister Terrific is the main one among them. It has a good part of the argument. And that was fun.”
Lex Luthor is almost a sorcerer
Not literally, but in Gunn’s mind his version of Lex Luthor is so smart that it seems that way.
“All-Star Superman It was a great influence. Being able to take that kind of sci-fi sense, with all kinds of gadgets, so Lex is kind of a sorcerer. He is a scientist, but so good at science that to me he is a sorcerer.”
We have never seen a relationship like this between Clark and Lois
Gunn was hesitant to say it, but he said it. When talking about Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s relationship in the film, he said: “I don’t think it’s something we’ve ever seen in a superhero movie. It’s a complicated relationship, and we really studied it. There are long scenes about their relationship, their way of relating, and what it would be like for such an intelligent and stubborn person, such a skeptical journalist, to have a relationship with someone who can build a skyscraper.”
Lois probably doesn’t know.
We asked Gunn if Lois knew Clark was Superman. “Well…we’ll see…she knows who Superman is.”
Superman is mostly unitary
As Superman is the first movie in the new DC Universe, it will be mostly unitary. Gunn thinks this is what almost all DC movies will be like in the near future.
“Everything has to be unitary. I don’t want anyone to have to watch this movie depending on something else. But listen, when you get into that, things maybe change a little. Are seeds planted? Yes, it is planted, but that will never be what predominates in any scene in my case. It will always be about the next scene. What is there at the moment. The best movie we can make. And it will continue to be that way as long as I can.”
Something from DC is ahead
Gunn confirmed that the events of Superman will have an impact on the second season of Peacemaker and that there might be one or two things at the end of this movie as teasers for the future, but he admitted that they might cut them.
Not many people know the real Superman
When talking about the cast, Gunn said he needed an actor who could play both Clark Kent and Superman well because that duality is the center of the character.
“It’s not just Clark. It’s not just Superman. It’s Clark/Superman.” And the only ones who know Clark/Superman are his mom and dad and a few others, and they are very different things. People say all kinds of things, that Clark is the real one, that Superman is the real one and Clark is the secret identity. I don’t say that, and so it is in my script on the second page, that I don’t believe any of that. I don’t think anyone knows Superman unless they know the two in him. And when you meet them both, you meet the real guy.”
It all depends on this
When we spoke with Gunn about Superman a year before the premiere, I was overwhelmed for many reasons. “I feel terrible. Terribly. But I hope it is for something excellent for everyone.” And one of the reasons for the pressure he put on himself was to make sure his version of Superman be great because if it’s not, there’s no guarantee we’ll see any more DC movies. There is a plan that has to do with Creature Commandos, Peacemaker, Supergirl, and others more. But if Superman doesn’t work, well, things can change very quickly. “There is so much that depends on Superman. Say. “We will not continue making films.” And that will be so, unless Superman be excellent.
On Thursday you will see the first trailer of Supermanand in 2025 you’ll have the rest of our report from the film’s set.
This article was translated from Gizmodo US by Thomas Handley. Here you can find the original version.
