Superman (DC Extended Universe)
Superman | |
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DC Extended Universe character | |
First appearance | Man of Steel (2013) |
Last appearance | The Flash (2023) |
Based on | |
Adapted by | David S. Goyer Christopher Nolan Zack Snyder |
Portrayed by |
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In-universe information | |
Alias | Kal-El (birth) Clark Joseph Kent (adoptive) |
Species | Kryptonian |
Occupation |
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Affiliation |
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Family |
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Significant other | Lois Lane (fiancée) |
Origin | Smallville, Kansas, United States |
Nationality | American |
Abilities |
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Clark Joseph Kent (
A destructive conflict with a faction of militant surviving Kryptonians led by
First appearing as the
Director Zack Snyder's films in the DCEU have aimed to portray Superman in a more flawed and human light as compared to the previous film series by Warner Bros., which has received polarized reviews from critics.
Character concept and development
As one of the most prominent superheroes for
He basically told me, 'I have this thought about how you would approach Superman', I immediately got it, loved it and thought: That is a way of approaching the story I've never seen before that makes it incredibly exciting. I wanted to get Emma Thomas and I involved in shepherding the project right away and getting it to the studio and getting it going in an exciting way.
—Christopher Nolan, recalling the moment when Goyer presented the idea of a modernized Superman.[4][5]
During the production of the
Nolan admired Bryan Singer's work on Superman Returns for its connection to Richard Donner's version, stating that "A lot of people have approached Superman in a lot of different ways. I only know the way that has worked for us that's what I know how to do," emphasizing the idea that Batman exists in a world where he is the only superhero and a similar approach to the Man of Steel would assure the integrity needed for the film. "Each serves to the internal logic of the story. They have nothing to do with each other." Nolan, however, clarified that the new film would not have any relationship with the previous film series.[8] Filming of Man of Steel began in 2011 with a lawsuit stipulating that Warner Bros. would be able to be sued by the family of Superman creator Jerry Siegel for lost revenue on an unproduced film after that year, thanks to the Siegel estate recapturing 50% of the rights to Superman's origins and Siegel's share of the copyright in Action Comics #1,[9] despite the studio not owing the Siegel estate money for previous films.[10]
Casting and execution
English actor Henry Cavill was cast as Clark Kent/Superman for Man of Steel. Cavill is the first non-American actor to play the character.[11][12] He was previously cast in Superman: Flyby, which was ultimately shelved,[13] and was considered for the role in Superman Returns, but lost to Routh.[14][15] Cavill stated, "There's a very real story behind the Superman character." He explained that everyone's goal has been to explore the difficulties his character faces as a result of having multiple identities—including his birth name, Kal-El, and his alter ego, Clark Kent. Cavill also stated that, "He's alone and there's no one like him," referring to Superman's vulnerabilities. "That must be incredibly scary and lonely, not to know who you are or what you are, and trying to find out what makes sense. Where's your baseline? What do you draw from? Where do you draw a limit with the power you have? In itself, that's an incredible weakness."[16] In an interview with Total Film magazine, Cavill stated he had been consuming nearly 5,000 calories a day, training for over two hours daily and plowing protein to pack on the muscle mass.[17] Cooper Timberline was cast as the 9-year-old Clark Kent, and Dylan Sprayberry was cast as the 13-year-old Clark Kent.[18]
During the
While Superman has a cameo appearance in Shazam!, he is portrayed by Zachary Levi's body double due to Cavill being unavailable for filming at the time.[20] At the time, it was unconfirmed whether Cavill would reprise the role again, though he stated in 2021 that he was still open to portraying the character, specifically that "There is still a lot of storytelling for me to do as a Superman, and I would absolutely love the opportunity."[21]
Superman made another cameo appearance in the season finale of the television series
Suit design
Superman's bodysuit in Man of Steel, in addition to that of other Kryptonians such as
For Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wilkinson and the costume team continued to streamline Superman's suit, adding new features. Specifically, the crest and biceps of the updated suit incorporate a quote from Joseph Campbell written in the Kryptonian language developed for the films: "Where we had thought to stand alone, we will be with all the world". Wilkinson notes that Snyder is an ardent admirer of Campbell's work, saying that Snyder "found a quote that seemed to really connect with Superman and his place in the world. It was a quote that has to do with the idea of alienation or coming together and feel[ing] a part of society. That's something that Superman is sort of battling all the time — feelings of alienation and connection. The quote deals with those issues."[29]
For the theatrical release of Justice League, Snyder had originally planned for Superman to wear his black suit, as depicted in the comics storyline The Death of Superman, prior to stepping down, but was overruled by Warner Bros. executives. In the 2021 director's cut of the film, which features Snyder's original footage prior to reshoots in addition to extra footage shot in 2020, Superman's suit has been digitally recolored in scenes that depict him in the black suit.[30]
Themes and characterization
Like Christopher Reeve's portrayal of the character, the DCEU version of Superman has seen several allusions to
However, Clark struggles with his identity in the DCEU despite being treated as a god by Earth's citizens. Corliss compares Clark in Man of Steel to Jesus as portrayed in
Despite Superman being described as "joyless" in the first two films of the DCEU, director Zack Snyder mentioned that in his original vision for the character's arc, that Clark would become the "true Superman" by the end of Justice League. Snyder enjoyed working with the idea of Superman grappling with his morality, relationship with Lois Lane, and his place on Earth, in that it would make the character more relatable to mankind, and that Superman would have to "earn" his spot at the "pinnacle of the DC superhero world."[37] However, numerous scenes that would have fleshed out the character's arc in the film's theatrical release were cut out once Joss Whedon took over for Snyder.[38] These deleted scenes were restored in Zack Snyder's Justice League, a director's cut of the film.[37]
Fictional character biography
Arriving on Earth
On February 29, 1980, Kal-El is the first
Becoming Superman
In 2013, Kent ventures to Canada, first getting a job as a bartender but later finding work with a drilling company that has discovered an object that turns out to be a Kryptonian scout ship. Kent enters the ship and activates its central computer using a key left by Jor-El, which allows him to communicate with an artificial intelligence modeled after his father.[a] While following Kent, reporter Lois Lane from the Daily Planet inadvertently triggers the ship's security system. Kent uses his powers to rescue Lane, who is covering the event, before wearing the uniform and testing his flying abilities. Unable to convince supervisor Perry White to publish an article on the incident, Lane tracks down Kent back to his family home in Kansas, intent on finding the truth. She tries to persuade Kent to let her reveal his story, but decides to drop it after hearing of Jonathan's sacrifice, and keeps Kent's identity safe.
When Zod and his followers arrive on Earth and demand Kal-El be turned over, Kent seeks counsel from a local pastor on whether to trust humanity, having confessed that he is the one Zod is looking for and deduced that Zod will wage war regardless, with the pastor telling him to take a "leap of faith". Without revealing his identity and wearing the Kryptonian uniform, Kent meets with the United States Air Force and agrees to comply, with Lane joining him as a hostage. Using the Jor-El AI to take over the ship, Kent and Lane flee and warn the U.S. military of Zod's plan, resulting in an explosive confrontation between Kent and Zod's troops around Smallville, just as Zod orders an invasion. Zod deploys the World Engine from the Kryptonian ship, which touches down in the Indian Ocean and begins firing a beam through the planet towards the ship, severely damaging the city of Metropolis on the opposite side of the world, and initiating the terraforming strategy.
Kent destroys the World Engine while the military launches a suicide attack on the ship, sending Zod's troops back to the Phantom Zone. With the ship destroyed and Krypton's only hope of revival gone, Zod vows to destroy the Earth and its inhabitants out of revenge. The two Kryptonians engage in a lengthy battle across Metropolis, which concludes when Kent is forced to kill Zod as he attacks a cornered family in a train station. In the aftermath, Kent adopts a separate public identity with the military codename
Controversial figure
In 2015, Superman is now a controversial figure, being hailed as a hero by some, but denounced as a "false god" and dangerous by others, including Wayne Enterprises CEO Bruce Wayne. Kent is now in a relationship with Lane and has received a promotion at the Daily Planet, while as Superman, he has engaged in numerous acts such as engaging wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, rescuing passengers on a train, halting a missile attack on the United States, and apprehending criminals.
Kent is assigned a sports story in
During a publicized congressional hearing at the
Coming to his senses about how far he has fallen from grace after Lois arrives and explains Superman's words, Batman promises to rescue Martha. Superman regains his strength and confronts Luthor on the scout ship. Luthor executes his backup plan, unleashing
Resurrection
Theatrical cut
In 2017, in wake of an invasion by the demonic
Allen uses his powers to charge it up and successfully resurrects Superman. However, Superman's memories have not returned, and he attacks the group after Cyborg accidentally launches a projectile at him. On the verge of being killed by Superman, Batman sends Lane to calm down Superman.
Without Superman to aid them, the five heroes travel to a village in Russia where Steppenwolf aims to unite the Mother Boxes once again to remake Earth for his nephew and superior Darkseid who is the ruler of the planet Apokolips. Superman arrives, remembering his promise to help Batman after Lane reminds him, and assists Allen in evacuating the city, as well as Stone, in separating the Mother Boxes. The team defeats Steppenwolf with Superman and Wonder Woman destroying his axe. Overcome with fear, Steppenwolf is attacked by his own Parademons before they all teleport back to Apokolips.
In the aftermath of the battle, Wayne re-acquires the Kent farm for Martha before it can be foreclosed and decides to rebuild Wayne Manor as a base of operations for the team and he and Prince agree that more heroes could join. Superman resumes his life as Kent and as protector of Earth, thanking Wayne and Prince for not losing hope in humanity, as Batman offers Superman the mantle of leadership for the newly-minted Justice League. Later, Superman later has a friendly race with Flash to see who is faster.
Director's cut
Superman's scream during his death awakens all three of the Mother Boxes, with the one under watch by the Amazons calling out to alien conqueror Steppenwolf. After Victor explains the nature of the Mother Boxes to the team, indicating that they are unbiased "change machines" and that the boxes did not call out to Steppenwolf until after Superman's death, the team unanimously votes to use the box to resurrect the Man of Steel.
Allen uses his powers to charge up the Box to resurrect Superman successfully. However, Superman's memories have not returned, and he attacks the group after Cyborg's defense system forces him to launch a projectile. After disabling the group one by one, he corners Batman. On the verge of killing him, Superman only stops upon seeing Lois Lane, who arrived on her own after seeing his resurrection.
When Kent leaves with Lane to Smallville to regain his memories, they confirm their engagement after Kent sees her still wearing the ring given to her, and they also reunite with Martha. He voluntarily leaves to fight Steppenwolf, saying the team "brought him back for a reason". Superman picks out a black-colored version of his skinsuit from the scout ship and gets the Justice League's whereabouts from Bruce's butler Alfred Pennyworth, then intercepts a killing blow from Steppenwolf meant for Stone, proceeding to freeze the New God's axe and brutally overpower him, burning off his right horn with his heat vision.
Despite Superman's arrival, Stone cannot pull apart the Mother Boxes in time, leading to an explosion that begins destroying the Earth until Allen enters the
In the aftermath of the battle, Wayne re-acquires the Kent farm for Martha before it can be foreclosed. Superman resumes his life as Kent and as protector of Earth.
Later years
In 2018, Superman makes a visit to
Alternate versions
Steppenwolf victorious
Knightmare reality
Victor Stone and Bruce Wayne see premonitions of a "Knightmare" reality. Victor sees Darkseid's campaign of death upon returning to Earth, ultimately killing Lois Lane. This leaves a devastated Superman susceptible to the
Flashpoint
In the reality Barry Allen creates after stopping his mother's murder, Kara Zor-El landed on Earth in his place. Kidnapped and experimented on, Kara was rescued by The Flash, a younger version of Allen and this Earth's version of Batman. Upon fighting General Zod, it is revealed that Kal-El's pod was intercepted by Zod and he was killed whilst they attempted to extract the codex.
In other media
Video games
- The skin in the 2013 video game Injustice: Gods Among Us.
- Clark's Justice League costume is able to be downloaded as a skin in the 2018 video game Lego DC Super-Villains.
- Superman appears alongside the rest of the Justice League in the virtual reality video game Justice League VR: The Complete Experience.
- The DC Extended Universe version of Superman is a playable character in the mobile game version of Injustice 2. The chest emblem is also an unlockable costume addition.
Literature
- Superman appears and is mentioned in the novelizations of the films set within the DC Extended Universe.
- Superman makes a cameo appearance at the end of the Man of Steel prequel comic written to tie in to the film. The comic delves more into the history of Krypton and his distant ancestor and cousin Kara Zor-El.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Cavill, along with Ben Affleck and Jesse Eisenberg, reprised their roles in a "deleted scene" of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice featuring Affleck's longtime friend Jimmy Kimmel and shown on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. In the skit, Kimmel's character successfully deduces the superhero identities of both Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne at Lex Luthor's gala, resulting in Clark Kent throwing Kimmel's character to Mars in annoyance, where he encounters Matt Damon's character from The Martian.[41]
Reception
Cavill's performance as Superman has received polarized reviews from critics. While Cavill's portrayal of Clark Kent's inner turmoil and chemistry with co-star Amy Adams was praised,[35] other critics commented on perceived stiffness and a lack of charisma in Man of Steel.[42] These critical assessments proved to carry over to the film's sequel Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In a positive review of the film, Richard Corliss wrote, "The movie finds its true, lofty footing not when it displays Kal-El's extraordinary powers, but when it dramatizes Clark Kent's roiling humanity. The super part of Man of Steel is just okay, but the man part is super."[34]
Particularly criticized was Superman's decision to kill General Zod during the climax of Man of Steel.[43][44][45] Artist Neal Adams suggested that other alternatives were open to Superman when Zod threatened innocent people with his heat vision, such as covering his eyes. He also criticized Superman for not moving the battle away from Metropolis as Christopher Reeve's version of the character did at the end of Superman II, causing extensive collateral damage to the city.[46] However, Adam Holmes of CinemaBlend counters that Clark is still inexperienced as a superhero in Man of Steel, learning from his mistakes by Batman v Superman, in which he successfully drives Doomsday to space.[47]
In the theatrical release of Justice League, viewers noted that Superman became more hopeful and optimistic and more in line with Reeve's portrayal of the character, but that his change of character was abrupt and unexplained, among many inconsistencies in the film caused by the sudden handover of directorial duties from Zack Snyder to Joss Whedon.[48][49] In addition, his digitally removed mustache, which was poorly executed, was the subject of ridicule.[19][50]
Contrarily, critics praised Superman's character arc in the "Snyder Cut" as being more natural, with some claiming that the best scenes in the movie involved Henry Cavill. Tom Jergensen from IGN wrote "His reunion with Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane) is much more emotional thanks to Snyder's increased focus on how devastated the two were by his death. However, one way in which Snyder's cut doesn't vary much from the theatrical cut in conception is that Superman's role is limited by design; but here at least, he's far more prevalent as a symbol for our heroes."[51]
Leading up to the release of the 2021
Despite the mixed reception of the DCEU as a whole, Henry Cavill's performances as Superman in the franchise became popular with audiences and helped propel him to international fame. Leading up to and following the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, fans campaigned to Warner Bros. to bring Cavill back as Superman for a direct sequel to Man of Steel,[53][54] and similarly expressed sorrow and outrage when James Gunn dropped Cavill from the role for the DC Universe franchise.[55]
Notes
- ^ The scout ship takes on the functionalities of the Fortress of Solitude in the DCEU.
- ^ The Ultimate Edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice reveals the bomb was encased in lead, one of the few materials that can block Superman's X-ray vision.
See also
References
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The plot description and characterization were adapted from Superman, Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice at the DC Extended Universe Wiki, which are available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA 3.0) license.