MOVIE NEWS – James Gunn has done exactly the opposite of Christopher Nolan. ‘Superman’ will not follow the path set by the great superhero classic.

Batman Begins launched a new era of superhero films—one defined by realism, a more serious tone, and a crime-thriller style approach to the hero. Yet, what most people don’t know is that Nolan was inspired by a completely different kind of superhero movie: the 1978 Superman directed by Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeve.

At first glance, it’s odd to think these two films are connected. Their characters and style could not be further apart, but that only raises more curiosity about what James Gunn’s Superman will bring to the new DC Universe.

In an interview years ago for the rerelease of The Dark Knight, Nolan explained that what drew him to Donner’s Superman wasn’t its optimistic tone or style, but its narrative structure. It’s a hero’s journey that takes its time—focusing on the character’s childhood and growth before the iconic suit even appears. An epic, emotional origin story.

That’s why it’s so striking that as James Gunn’s Superman approaches, Nolan is again pointing to this inspiration—yet Gunn is doing the opposite: his film skips the origin story and throws viewers into a world where superheroes already exist. It’s a total reversal of Donner and Nolan’s approach, leaving plenty of questions about how Clark Kent (David Corenswet) will be introduced.

Superman Takes Flight

Ten years ago, Nolan told The Hollywood Reporter about the classic Superman: “It was a great origin story. There was the tone, the emotion, the spectacle… but what really struck me was the structure of the narrative.” He later built Batman Begins on this very blueprint.

“That idea of showing the first steps, the doubts, the transformation… was far more powerful to me than starting with Batman just delivering justice in Gotham.” That’s why it takes nearly an hour for Bruce Wayne to don the cape in Batman Begins—Nolan wanted audiences to first connect with the man, not the myth. The same holds true in Reeve’s Superman: his origin and growth take center stage before we ever see him fly.

The tones and styles may be totally different, but at their heart, both films are about the journey to become something greater. That’s where Nolan found his own take on Batman.

James Gunn’s Bold New Direction

While Nolan stuck with the classic hero-building formula, James Gunn is forging a new path: his Superman is already a seasoned hero saving lives in a world where superheroes are nothing new.

Gunn has even confirmed that characters like Guy Gardner and Mr. Terrific will show up, but Clark’s arrival on Earth or his identity search has long since happened. This shift raises the question of whether it will be easier or harder for audiences to emotionally connect with Superman—and what his “hero’s journey” will look like this time.

Still, Gunn has a knack for making sure his films succeed—and that’s part of the reason behind the title change for Superman. Even if this new film skips the classic origin, it may still echo Donner or Nolan by showing a Superman who knows his powers but is still searching for his place among humanity. An idealist in a jaded world, facing new heroes and a savvy, well-worn audience.

Director-to-director parallels like these don’t just help us understand the past—they also build anticipation for what’s coming. If Nolan took a bright, classic Superman as inspiration, perhaps Gunn, with his more irreverent style, will find the character’s heart in his own way.

The wait is nearly over: the new Superman hits theaters on July 11.

Source: Espinof