Untitled Superman Film (JJ Abrams)

[ArchiTech]

Originally Posted by slumcat

MOS - He's a depressed introvert who barely has lines in the movie. HIS movie.

BvS - Shafted to a supporting role, a humiliating loss to Batman and even dies.

JL theatrical - A cameo appearance basically, less screentime than Cyborg and Flash and Aquaman who are new characters.

I think you have a superficial interpretation of what depression is. The movie presents the struggle of an alien trying to figure out his role in a world that fears his very existence, which makes ‘Man’ of Steel more accurate than a title using Superman.

His sequel did get shared billing with DC’s prized cash cow Batman, but it also was simultaneously a way to fast track the world building of the DC Universe. Only the online dissent curbed a future meaty role for Superman in a sequel.

JL has yet to be seen, considering it was mostly reshot to alter the trajectory of the universe.

2 movies (could be considered 1&1/2). The last one being released in 2016. The director has since explained that Superman’s arc was being told through 5 films. We’ve never had that kind of progression for the character before. He’s always been presented outright as Superman vs his latest foe in episodic installments.

An unhindered version of Cavill’s Superman would’ve been an outsider rising into his role as rookie superhero, his untimely death, the rise of his super family with an imminent threat, the resurrection of his character, the proving of his worth, and finally establishing himself as the character we all recognize universally as the Superman.

I may not have had the 2 films meet my expectations for the character, but I recognize the value in telling the story in this way. It’s perfect for this generation of binge-watchers. It just hasn’t had it’s fair chance of presenting itself as a story, because most people never knew where it was going and believe we’ve had 3 movies already (the last being essentially a failure)- but we’ve actually only had *2. There is still more for Cavill to do.

*I’m not clear whether the studio interference occurred in the 2nd film enough to alter the director’s plans. Their interference obviously affected the runtime for its theatrical release.