Why Superman is the least relevant superhero
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Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
The best moment in Superman was almost cut - it would have been a disaster
The new Superman movie is at its most epic when we see Clark Kent's endless compassion – but filmmaker James Gunn has revealed he almost cut out the very moment that shows this best. After the immense pressure to bring one of the most beloved superheroes of all time back to the big screen it would have been easy for the new Superman to crash and burn. Especially in a cultural landscape saturated with superhero content from the likes of rival studio, Marvel (who have their own summer blockbuster, Fantastic Four, about to come out) – retelling Superman's story for old and new audiences is no easy task. Heck, it's only been three years since Henry Cavill last appeared as an iteration of Superman in a movie (Black Adam) so cementing David Corenswet as the newly-baptised Daily Planet reporter was already a tall order. Yet, if the glowing reviews and mightily impressive box office figures are anything to go by, Gunn's vision and the standout cast to go with it (also starring Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor) has been an undeniable smash hit. When scrolling through people's takes on social media, discussing it with my friends, or even pondering it at 2am while staring at my ceiling – one reason jumps out above all others. Unlike so much of the superhero content of recent years that prioritises mammoth displays of strength and overly-involved action scenes that forget their characters' human alter egos – in Superman we see the opposite. Yes, it's about battling the enemy, but it's more about preserving the world you love in the big and small ways. We may not all be capable of shooting lasers from our eyes and flying from disaster to disaster but we are all capable of small acts of kindness, no matter how unexpected. It's hardly a new perspective, plenty of people have been praising the movie's human first approach, making Superman's greatest strength his non-super qualities (whether the love he learnt from Ma and Pa Kent or the fierce protectiveness he feels for all living creatures). It harks back to the Clark we know and love from the prequel series, Smallville (coincidentally David's favourite version) who, during one episode, declares his greatest powers are his parents. We've teamed up with Camp Bestival Dorset to give one lucky Metro reader and their family the chance to win family weekend tickets, worth up to £1,172! Created by families, for families, Camp Bestival combines all the fun of a fantastic family camping holiday with everything you would expect from a perfect and action-packed festival adventure. Headliners include music legend Sir Tom Jones, pop icons Sugababes, plus a carnival-filled live show from electronic music duo Basement Jaxx. Simply enter your details here to be in with a chance of winning four tickets to this epic experience. You have until midnight on 23 July to enter. Good luck! * Open to GB residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18+. Promotion opens at 18:01 on 16/7/25 and closes at 23:59 on 23/7/25. Entrant must submit their first and last name, email address, date of birth and postcode when prompted via the entry form available on (available here). 1 prize available of a family weekend camping ticket, including two (2) adult tickets and up to four (4) child and/or teen tickets in any combination as chosen by the winner to attend Camp Bestival (Lulworth Castle, Dorset) from 31st July 2025 to 3rd August 2025. Maximum 1 entry per person. Attendance is governed by the Camp Bestival Terms and Conditions. Full T&Cs apply, see here. No scene proves this better than the small, blink-and-you-miss-it moment when Superman dives to save a squirrel while battling the mid-movie Big Bad. Even in the cinema it elicited a delighted response from the audience with a fond chuckle escaping nearly everyone's lips. It's miniscule moments like this that made the movie, and Superman's characterisation, so fleshed out, grounded and realistic. In many ways, it is just as important as the grand speeches about what it means to be human and the sequences of Superman single-handedly holding up crumbling buildings. Which is why it was so shocking to learn that Gunn almost cut it out of the final version. He told Rolling Stone: 'We showed it to test audiences and some people did not like the squirrel. They're like, 'Why the f**k is he saving a squirrel? Why is he taking time out, saving a squirrel?'' Not sure who they chose to participate in the test audience but they may have missed the point of the movie entirely? Luckily, Gunn stayed strong with his vision, adding: 'There was a cut where I cut it out and I'm like, 'I really miss the squirrel. He's gotta save the squirrel.'' Thank goodness he did, as many fans have reiterated. 'The whole point behind him saving the squirrel was to show his kind heart & willingness to go out of his way for everyone – even the most innocent & tiny of creatures,' X user miss_mjoy shared. 'I liked that no creature no matter how small is seen as insignificant to Superman The squirrel was peak,' the blue elite agreed. 'It's VERY clear some people don't understand Superman in the slightest. 'Why would Superman save a squirrel' BECAUSE ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS!! BECAUSE ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!' gooberboober42 echoed. 'People that show no sympathy for the squirrel don't understand anything about Superman,' Spideyloui added. More Trending You get the point. The moment may seem insignificant to some – after all if Gunn had gone ahead with the cut it wouldn't have been a notable plot omission – but there would have been something missing. It's a small but mighty part of the beating heart of this movie that has made it so special to people so quickly – and that lack of soul certainly would have been noticed, and perhaps even detrimental. It's more clear than ever that superhero fans are yearning for less carbon cutout powerhouses and for more fallible heroes with the best intentions – and that's what makes scenes like this so important. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Fans are convinced James Gunn just revealed 'perfect' next Batman actor MORE: Games Inbox: What is the next big game for Nintendo Switch 2? MORE: Superman forced to cut two scenes after they were deemed 'overly sensual'
Economist
17-07-2025
- Economist
Why Superman is the least relevant superhero
Hollering for help, Lois Lane dangles overhead from a helicopter that has crashed atop a skyscraper. On the sidewalk below Clark Kent, briefcase in hand, squeezes through a panicked crowd, searching for a place to transform into the hero of 'Superman: The Movie', which came out in 1978. He pauses to size up a public payphone, but the booths that served him well in the comic books of the 1940s have themselves transformed, into transparent boxes on pedestals. In a gesture of gentle Kentian consternation, he purses his lips, then moves on. It's a sly visual joke, in keeping with the buoyant spirit of the film: the world was changing, but he could not—at least, not easily. In retrospect, it prophesied Superman's predicament in the 21st century, in the existential battle every comic-book hero must wage, the one for cultural relevance.
NBC News
16-07-2025
- NBC News
Rachel Brosnahan reveals the sentimental Lois Lane Easter Egg in 'Superman'
There are a slew of Easter eggs in the new 'Superman' movie, but Rachel Brosnahan is bringing attention to some of her favorites. Brosnahan, who portrays the Daily Planet journalist and Clark Kent's love interest, Lois Lane, in the 2025 film, tells about how the film honors the family of comic book writer Jerry Siegel, who co-created the character Superman. 'There are a ton of them, so many,' Brosnahan says of the Easter eggs in the film, which hits theaters July 11, before sharing the ones she loves most. The 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' star reveals that a sweet photograph placed right on Lois Lane's desk has a special meaning. It's a photo of Jerry Siegel's wife, Joanne Siegel, who the actor says 'inspired the original Lois Lane.'
