In the series finale of “Smallville,” Clark sees Lex for the first time in years, and Lex remarks that Clark still says his name the same way: “Astonishment, mixed with a hint of dread — yet with a hopeful finish.” That line has largely captured my feelings toward James Gunn’s forthcoming film, simply titled “Superman.” Until we at least see a trailer, it seems premature to heap praise or criticism upon a project that only recently finished filming.
One of the reasons I preach moderation is that I speak from experience, having previously let my expectations and excitement get the better of me when it comes to Superman on film. Born in the late 80s, I have had two opportunities to see a new Superman debut on the big screen: 2006’s “Superman Returns” and 2013’s “Man of Steel.”
In the case of the former, I had just completed my freshman year of college. During that year, I poured over any news, photos, or trailers about the film, confident that the filmmaker behind the X-Men films and a return to the world of the Donner movies would be a winning recipe. On the night of the release, my buddies and I gathered for a barbeque before the big viewing.
As the lights dimmed and the movie started, I thought it was a curious choice to begin with expository text, but then the stirring credits sequence took over. As the movie progressed, though, that initial feeling I had only grew, and I left the theater disappointed. Over time, and with the perspective of fatherhood, my appreciation for “Superman Returns” has grown considerably, but the fact remains that the viewing experience was simply not what I wanted it to be.
Seven years later, Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” promised a fresh start and a chance of redemption. This time around, there was no barbecue (as I was recovering from a debilitating bout with food poisoning), and my companion was the woman I had just started dating (now my wife). As the end credits rolled, I felt mixed toward the film and its approach to my favorite character. Thankfully, in time, I have become a passionate fan and defender of this iteration, but again — that first viewing did not deliver the feeling I had so craved.
And now, my third big-screen Superman debut beckons in July 2025. I want nothing more than to finally have that experience I’ve been seeking all of these years: To not need time and distance to appreciate the movie, but rather to leave the theater soaring. There’s no way to guarantee that sort of moment, but I do know that an open mind and healthy skepticism will allow me to receive the film for what it is — rather than creating an unrealistic, perhaps even unattainable standard.
To those fans sharing their unbridled enthusiasm that “we’re so back” and already proclaiming this to be the best Superman ever: Cheers, truly. But my approach will remain one of wait-and-see for now.
Either way, I’ll be there with a big bucket of popcorn next summer.
Always wait and see. Better safe than sorry.