MOVIE NEWS – James Gunn has a knack for getting people buzzing about his films. And by people, we mean social media users who, between the Snyder-fan noise and standard grumbling, have latched onto a moment in the latest Superman trailer to launch a barrage of theories. Once again, Gunn stepped in personally to debunk one particularly persistent one involving Lex Luthor.

The newest trailer for Superman gave fans a fresh glimpse into the DCU’s future, and for many, it confirmed what they’d hoped: James Gunn’s version of the Man of Steel appears closer to the comic book roots than ever. But one moment stirred confusion. A scene where Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) interviews Superman (David Corenswet) and mentions his lack of communication with the president cuts immediately to a smug-looking Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), prompting many to believe he might be president in this universe.

That theory spiraled quickly. Fans interpreted the editing as a deliberate hint, suggesting Luthor had achieved a political position of enormous influence. But James Gunn, in a short Q&A on Threads, stepped in to squash the theory once and for all:

“There are no origins but Lex is not President.”

From the outset, Gunn has made it clear he isn’t interested in rebooting the DCU through a series of tired origin stories. While future installments might provide backstories for select characters, Superman won’t waste time explaining where Clark Kent came from, how Guy Gardner became a Green Lantern, or what Lex Luthor was like as a child.

In fact, as early as 2023—when it was announced that David Corenswet would don the cape—Gunn stated he was skipping Clark’s childhood. “I think we’ve seen his origin enough in film at this time! There is no Young Clark.”

This no-nonsense approach extends to the film’s entire cast. Heroes like Hawkgirl, Mr Terrific, and Metamorpho are simply there, with no elaborate explanations. It’s a fully-formed superhero world, unlike the gradual introductions of the Snyderverse.

And frankly, that might be the smartest way forward. People know who Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are. Their stories are already ingrained in pop culture. Gunn is skipping the setup and diving straight into the action—and maybe that’s what will finally give the DCU the fresh start it needs.

Source: Movieweb