Superman: Legacy Takes A Dig At Henry Cavill?
Ever since the news came out that James Gunn was directing Superman: Legacy, fans have wondered how much the newest incarnation of the Man of Steel would compare to the ones that came before. Now that we know David Corenswet will portray Superman next on the big screen, the big question has become whether the actor will take his superhuman cues from Henry Cavill. It looks like the answer is a big “no.”
Lois Lane actor Rachel Brosnahan declared the new Corenswet’s Superman would “have a sense of humor,” which seems to be a mild dig at Henry Cavill and his super-serious portrayal of this iconic superhero.
While that apparent dig may sting like Kryptonite to hardcore fans of the DCEU, it’s most likely good news for Superman: Legacy. While it’s hardly Henry Cavill’s fault, Zack Snyder and other creators seemed adamant that the DCEU Superman would have a much more serious demeanor than the performances we previously got from actors like Christopher Reeve or Brandon Routh. The grim nature of Cavill’s performance was particularly apparent in Batman v. Superman, a movie where Superman often seemed just as dark, brooding, and unforgiving as the Dark Knight he was fighting.
In fairness to Cavill, his super serious performance fit right in with the DCEU, a cinematic universe that took early pride in being as dark and mature as the rival MCU was lighthearted and (more or less) family-friendly. Additionally, when comparing Joss Whedon’s cut of his quip-filled Justice League, Snyder’s more serious portrayal of Superman better suited Cavill. With that being said, Superman: Legacy is meant to kickstart an entirely different DCU, and it only makes sense for leading characters like Superman to differentiate themselves from previous performances.
To hear Rachel Brosnahan tell it, David Corenswet’s Superman may be very different from Henry Cavill’s, but his performance should feel familiar to longtime fans of the character and his comics. She said that the Man of Steel actor and everyone else working on Superman: Legacy “is such a perfect nerd” for the character and that some enjoyed Superman comics and “we all grew up watching the movies.” The final result, she says, is a movie that is “being made with so much love,” which is often the key ingredient to creating a great superhero film and not two hours of soulless corporate content.
In describing her performance as Lois Lane and Corenswet’s performance as Clark Kent, Brosnahan also hit on the essential paradox of what they are hoping to accomplish with Superman: Legacy. Specifically, the two of them hope to “put our own spin on things” but to also “honor the material we love so much.” On a creative level, this makes perfect sense: it would be pointless if Corenswet did nothing but try to imitate Henry Cavill, but at the same time, the film will need to impress hardcore fans by reminding them of the Superman movies, comics, and series they have previously enjoyed.
While some fans may be sad that Superman: Legacy is going to give us a Man of Steel very different from Henry Cavill, we’re just happy to see James Gunn trying to do something new with Superman. As we try to clear the fishy taste of Aquaman 2 out of our mouths, it seems clear that the DC universe was a failure that deserved its premature and watery grave.
Now, the news that a new Superman might actually smile and have a sense of humor in the DCU does something that neither Cavill nor his “S” was ever able to fully do: give us hope for the future of this franchise.
Source: Entertainment Tonight
