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Hype Malaysia
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
'Superman' Review: A Different, More Hopeful Take On A Superhero That's As Refreshing As It Is Exciting
As explored in our recent article, we all know that Warner's attempts to catch up with Disney's MCU with its very own DCEU were a massive flop, with so few successes you can count them on one hand. It needed a breath of fresh air; it needed a reboot; it needed… James Gunn? After James Gunn took creative control of all things DC, the Big Blue Boy Scout has seen a younger, more hopeful glow-up in a cinematic event that has been hyped up since its announcement back in 2022. Now that it is here, we finally get to see how David Corenswet fares as the new Man of Steel. Alongside Corenswet are Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced. Written and directed by Gunn himself, this film is set to be a fresh take that's meant to distance itself from its far darker iteration. The film focuses naturally on everyone's favourite Kryptonian, Clark Kent, also known as Superman. But rather than giving us that lengthy backstory we all already know, we are thrust into a time when people are already familiar with Superman, but are still split on whether they should love him or be wary of him — immediately telling us that he is still pretty early in his career. With that, the film cuts a lot of beats from the traditional recipe and gets to the heart of the matter, rather than spending hours on a side plot that helps escalate the tension but ultimately ends the same. Believe it or not, it works exceptionally well for this film, as it significantly reduces the time we spend on awkward moments and more on the action and the overall narrative. We already know who Superman is, who he is dating, his archnemesis, etc. — why not respect the audience's intelligence and move forward to something bold and interesting rather than waste our time on something that we know? It is a very interesting take on Clark Kent, though we have to admit that it does somewhat mimic what the MCU did with Spider-Man in 'Captain America: Civil War'. Through this method, everyone in the movie is already familiar with each other, one way or another, which helps make every interaction among the cast more natural. But that begs the question: how does the new cast fare, especially David Corenswet, as the new Last Son of Krypton? For starters, he is outright phenomenal. Admittedly, we do feel bad for Henry Cavill being axed the moment he reprised his role in favour of a younger actor, but after watching the film, we do see the vision Gunn has not just for the character, but for DC moving forward. Corenswet is a far more optimistic take on the character, always believing in doing the right thing first and asking questions later. However, this course of action proves to be one of the core conflicts of the film, which is an interesting method of attacking a protagonist's morals rather than outright beating him up. Corenswet's performance is what gives this film life; his positive outlook on life and on people provides the ray of hope that Gunn is going for, though it becomes a bit too preachy by the end of the movie. On the other end of the spectrum is Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. We already know that these two characters are fundamentally different and opposed to each other. Hoult himself has described the character as obsessive, determined, and relentless — a character that stops at nothing to bring Superman down by any means necessary — something he is perfectly able to embody in his performance. He has a cool and collected facade that breaks the moment things deviate from his plans, yet he has enough monetary and mental power to come up with a solution. He is a genius but also extremely petty, which is an interestingly refreshing take on the character. The two's performance ultimately sets the tone for the film and for the rest of the cast, frankly. Though they are bitter enemies, they do have their own comedic moments which break a lot of the tension for the film before it becomes too dark again, and yes, it becomes dark when you stop and think about it for a second. This brings us back to the established point that there's not a single awkward moment among the cast, as each can have a proper conversation with each other that never feels forced. Naturally, this entry in the franchise is far sillier than the previous iterations. From the jokes and the physical gags, the movie does everything in its power to make it as light-hearted as possible. However, that does not mean it trades that in for the action. 'Superman' is packed with a lot of intense fight scenes that are not only epic but fun. Whether it's from the streets of Metropolis to inside a pocket universe, each action sequence is jam-packed with memorable scenes and various beats that keep things interesting. We also really like how they ditch the shaky camera and sudden jump cuts in between punches and kicks, as this creates a more fluid fight scene that isn't a chore to follow. However, the film isn't without its flaws. Though James Gunn skips a lot of familiar plot points that are already established, he also skips through the formation of the Justice Gang, how Clark and Lois are dating, and why Lex hates Superman, to name a few. Yes, we did praise this decision earlier on, but there has to be a baseline that the audience needs to see rather than be told. This becomes a problem down the line when the characters start overexplaining rather than just showing the audience, especially by the end. It feels as though this film was made with the intention of pleasing established fans of Superman without giving much thought on how to win over new fans. This is a bit disappointing, as the film is meant to be the starting-off point for the new DC cinematic universe. Though, whether you know the nitty-gritty details of Superman or not, we can guarantee that you are in for a cinematic treat that won't disappoint. Overall, 'Superman' is a jaw-dropping reboot that deserves your attention. It drops the edge and the angst for a more uplifting, hopeful, and even funny interpretation of the Man of Steel. It has something in store whether you're a massive Superman fan or not, from its colourful fight scenes to its solid dialogue and story. The only drawback is that the movie overexplains a lot of details that are quite obvious if left alone, or at least hints at earlier on. It doesn't necessarily destroy our immersion into the film; it's a small stumbling block for an otherwise flawless film. 'Superman' flies into cinemas on 10th July!
Tatler Asia
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Multi-billion superstar: how Scarlett Johansson became the undisputed queen of the box office
'The Avengers' movies (2012 to 2019) – US$7.7B Above The ensemble 'Avengers' films generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. The four core Avengers films represent the monumental bedrock of Scarlett Johansson's box office supremacy. From the groundbreaking original assembly in 2012 to the epic conclusion of Endgame in 2019, these ensemble blockbusters generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. As one of the original six Avengers, Johansson's Black Widow served as the emotional anchor and pragmatic conscience of the team, making her indispensable to the franchise's success. 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014) – US$714M Above The spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. More than just another Marvel instalment, this critically acclaimed spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. Her chemistry with Chris Evans's Captain America became a fan-favourite dynamic, while the film's gritty, 1970s-inspired aesthetic showcased her dramatic range. The US$714 million global gross proved that audiences were hungry for more Black Widow, fuelling demands for her solo film. 'Lucy' (2014) - US$457M Above 'Lucy' became a box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. This Luc Besson sci-fi thriller stands as the definitive proof of Scarlett Johansson's solo star power. Built around an original, R-rated concept with no pre-existing fanbase, Lucy became a genuine box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. Johansson's transformation from terrified student to omnipotent being captivated global audiences, demonstrating her ability to lead a blockbuster without franchise support. Don't miss: Female action heroes: 8 women who redefined courage long before 'Ballerina' pirouetted in 'Captain America: Civil War' (2016) – US$1.15B Above In 'Captain America: Civil War', Johansson's Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family. This billion-dollar behemoth placed Johansson's character at the ideological centre of the Avengers's most personal conflict. As the team fractured along moral lines, Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family, showcasing the emotional intelligence that made her irreplaceable. 'The Jungle Book' (2016) – US$951M Above Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved bankable in 'The Jungle Book'. Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved equally bankable as her physical presence in Disney's photorealistic adaptation. Voicing the hypnotic python Kaa, she brought menacing allure to the classic villain, contributing to the film's nearly US$1 billion global success. This performance showed that her appeal goes beyond traditional leading roles, extending her marketability into lucrative family films. 'Sing' (2016) – US$631M Above In this animated musical, Johansson voiced a prickly teenage porcupine. In Illumination's original animated musical, Johansson voiced Ash, a prickly teenage porcupine with punk-rock sensibilities. The film's US$631 million global success further proved her versatility and broad appeal beyond the MCU. Her ability to breathe life into animated characters showcased yet another dimension of her star power, appealing to audiences across all demographics. 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' (2025) – $322M and climbing Above The film's US$322 million global opening provided the push that crowned Johansson as the highest-grossing leading actor of all time. The coronation film that officially secured Scarlett Johansson's throne arrived with prehistoric force. Her decade-long pursuit of a role in the Jurassic franchise culminated in portraying Zora Bennett, an ex-military specialist. The film's massive US$322 million global opening provided the final push that crowned her the highest-grossing leading actor of all time, proving her lasting star power in Hollywood. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Scarlett Johansson becomes highest-grossing Hollywood actor
As reported by The Numbers, Johansson's lifetime career box office gross now stands at $14.8 billion from films where she plays a leading role. This includes more than $8.7 billion from major MCU titles such as The Avengers franchise and Captain America: Civil War. Other contributions come from ensemble appearances in Iron Man 2 and voice roles in the animated Sing films, where she played the rock-loving porcupine Ash. In comparison, Robert Downey Jr's career total stands at $14.2 billion in leading roles, with around $11.8 billion coming from his nine-film run as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Samuel L Jackson and Chris Pratt, both part of the MCU, also feature prominently in the top-grossing actors list compiled by The Numbers. Tom Hanks remains the only actor in the top rankings without an MCU credit. Johansson, who departed the MCU with Black Widow in 2021, continues to make waves in Hollywood with her versatile performances and commanding box office presence.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Damson Idris addresses Black Panther 3 casting rumours
Damson Idris has addressed speculation that he could become the next Black Panther. During an appearance on the Today show on Wednesday, the F1 actor was asked if he had had any conversations with Marvel Studios about becoming the next iteration of the superhero in the third Black Panther movie. When presenter Craig Melvin encouraged him to give a "yes or no" answer, Idris playfully replied, "Yes-no." Melvin asserted his response meant a "yes," and the British actor responded, "It could mean no." When asked if he'd accept the role if it was offered to him, Idris confirmed that he would. T'Challa/Black Panther was played by Chadwick Boseman in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, followed by 2018's Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War and 2019's Avengers: Endgame. After Boseman died in August 2020, aged 43, director and co-writer Ryan Coogler decided not to recast the character for the planned sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In the 2022 film, T'Challa dies, and his sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, takes over the Black Panther mantle. During a radio interview on Sway in the Morning, Idris opened up about what the Black Panther role would mean to him. "It would mean everything, of course. Again, it's all about responsibility. But either way, whoever plays that part, if that part even happens, I'm going to be in the theatres supporting it," he shared. "I knew Chad(wick) well. He was an icon to us. Someone like Chad and what he represented, I think it's important that that essence carries on. I think that's what he would want." However, Black Panther producer Nate Moore previously insisted in February that there was "no truth" to the T'Challa recasting rumours. "We'll get into it later this year, but everything you read online is not true, if for no other reason than we just haven't started (working on it yet)," he told
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Scarlett Johansson Wanted Her Name Removed From Marvel Project
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors It's been four years since Scarlett Johansson has starred in a Marvel feature, yet the "Jurassic World: Rebirth" star recently revealed that she asked her name to be taken off the credits of Marvel's most recent film, "Thunderbolts*" Johansson was listed as an executive producer on the film, though according to her, she had no part in making it. She talked briefly about it with David Harbour for Interview Magazine. Read More: Chris Evans Shares Brutally Honest Feelings About 'Avengers: Doomsday' Harbour asked Johansson if she'd seen "Thunderbolts*". When she said she hadn't, Harbour said, "Okay. You are an executive producer on it. Congratulations." Johannson responded, "I asked to have my credit removed because I wasn't involved." "You hated the movie that much?" Harbour joked. Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow Disney Johansson's involvement with Marvel dates back to 2010's "Iron Man 2" when she first appeared as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. She went on to reprise the role in all four of the "Avengers" movies released thus far, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", "Captain America: Civil War", "Thor: Ragnarok", and finally in her 2021 solo feature "Black Widow". Johansson's time as Black Widow was unique in that it was only after her character was killed off in 2019's "Avengers: Endgame" that she got her own feature. In 2021, "Black Widow" served as a prequel, set during the latter half of "Captain America: Civil War". During her interview with Harbour, Johansson talked about ultimately feeling unfulfilled with some of her Marvel work. "Some of the films that I did for Marvel engaged my character more than others," Johansson said. "Like in ['Captain America: The] Winter Soldier' with Chris [Evans], we were really dynamic." "In some of the other films, the cast was so enormous and there was so much plot to serve that you start to feel like you're a device to move it along. And if you're committed to five and a half months of that, it's like, 'Okay. I can't paint my nails, I can't get a haircut.'" "These sound like silly problems, but your identity is wrapped up in this job for a long time, and if you're not doing engaging work as an actor, you feel a little cagey sometimes." "Thunderbolts*" is currently in theaters. Fans can next see Johansson in "Jurassic World: Rebirth," which hits theaters July 2. More Comics: Ryan Coogler Confirms Denzel Washington Has a Part in 'Black Panther 3' Captain America: Brave New World Finally Has a Disney+ Free Streaming Date
