It’s a question as old as time: how do you make a Superman movie? Well, as always, fans seem to have a variety of opinions on how to “properly” portray the Man of Steel.
Do you know why this question doesn’t pop up for characters such as, say, Iron Man or Black Lightning? Because there’s only been one well-known adaptation of those two characters. There will probably be another actor to play Iron Man in the future, sure, but Superman is the first superhero. While Spider-Man and Batman may be more marketable at times, Superman is the quintessential superhero and he’s been portrayed by a variety of actors. From George Reeves to the most recent incarnations in Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin, the Man of Steel has many faces.
And with many adaptations come different approaches. How Christopher Reeve plays Superman is going to vary compared to someone like Dean Cain from Lois & Clark or even Tim Daly in the DC Animated Universe. And perhaps it’s just that time again, but fans as of recent shared their different ideas of how Superman should be portrayed. Observe:
https://twitter.com/DannyNada/status/1079152649327575040
A Superman film should be about whatever the hell the filmmaker in charge wants it to be about. If he wants to explore the character’s moral complexities, I find it hard to say “no, you can’t do that.” https://t.co/A9SlClRmaQ
— rob-e (@iamthatroby) December 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/SherazFarooqi_/status/1078748792676106240
#ThingsIDontUnderstand: Why Superman fanboys are under the impression that there's only one way to portray Superman/tell a Superman story.
— DEJ #BlackLivesMatter #TransRights #FreePalestine (@DawsonEJoyce) December 29, 2018
Man of Steel is the first Superman film to make me actually care about Superman
— Amateur Watcher (@OhioDavee) December 29, 2018
If Hollywood was barred from exploring Superman's moral complexities and failings we wouldn't have gotten the Donner films or Smallville for that matter. pic.twitter.com/vljb3WuLQk
— Scott of Rivia (@DerfelMacGuffin) December 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/ShaneAllison/status/1079132663158427648
https://twitter.com/derbykid/status/1078741397031845893
As you can see, like Superman and Batman themselves, there are a variety of faces and opinions on how the character should be portrayed. Given how beloved and well-known Superman is- not just in comic books, but pop culture in general- you’re bound to come across various opinions on how fans want to see him. But just as fans are able to embrace the concept of a multiverse in comic books, so should the same be applicable to adaptations.
Not a fan of George Reeves? Well, there’s Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Tim Daly, Henry Cavill, Tyler Hoechlin, and a host of actors who have portrayed the Man of Steel in some form or fashion. And if not, there’s always good old comic books. No writer or director will ever be able to please everybody. And as Zack Snyder said when discussing Man of Steel, he made the film for himself because he knew what he wanted to see, just to name one example.
But what do you think, though? When it comes to the Man of Steel and his big screen adaptations, how do you believe the Last Son of Krypton should be portrayed? Do you have a specific mindset for seeing Superman or are you open to other interpretations? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Twitter
