Henry Cavill passed on the iconic role of Superman to David Corenswet as part of the new reboot under James Gunn with Superman: Legacy slated to be the first film of the new universe. In the months that have followed since the announcement, a first look, release date, and various new details regarding the plot have surfaced that might just give an edge to the new flick.
On the other side of the coin, like any fresh start, there could be hiccups along the way. Despite Gunn’s vast experience in film-making and his determination to make his first movie in the new DCU a grand success, there lies one reason for fans’ apprehension.
James Gunn will find it tough to outdo a Zack Snyder masterstroke
Arriving in theaters in 2013, Man of Steel came across as quite a divisive venture for both Zack Snyder and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), then in its infancy. With a critical rating of just 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie still boasts being the favorite for many fans. One major aspect of that favoritism lies in the original soundtrack for the movie composed by Hans Zimmer.
the thing i’m probably most nervous about with superman (2025) is the score.
both hans zimmer & john williams crafted some of the greatest scores ever that acted as the heartbeat of their respective films & it’s such a tall task to compete with them. really hope john murphy can… pic.twitter.com/kZndMWf49L
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) May 22, 2024
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), popular superhero genre critic Matt Ramos pointed out his apprehension of James Gunn being able to outdo it. The renowned soundtrack for the Snyder movie had the award-winning composer follow the footsteps of John Williams, famed for composing tracks for the original Superman film. Additionally, Zimmer’s iconic touches to pieces like Flight still resonate to this day.
On his end, James Gunn has roped in John Murphy to compose the music for Superman: Legacy. Known for his work on Kick-Ass, 28 Days Later, and as recently as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, there lies no doubt in his artistic prowess. However, outperforming Zimmer, who recently won acclaim for Dune: Part Two score will prove to be a monumental task and one that can make or break fans’ experience just as Gunn’s experiment with the storyline.
How Superman: Legacy will differ from Man of Steel
A major criticism of Man of Steel came regarding its tone. The Henry Cavill outing largely differed from a comic-accurate vibrancy and featured Snyder’s gritty and dark take. Scenes like the destruction of Metropolis, Superman letting his father die, and an under-saturated color grading caused some critics to lash out in reviews. Furthermore, the reportedly excessive use of slow-motion sequences and non-linear storyline caused disagreement among a few others.
James Gunn, though, has already stated his intentions to make a light-hearted Superman movie. Thus, David Corenswet’s outing will probably feature humor, and heart, and should be more aligned with the comic version. Additionally, a first look released a few weeks ago also resonated with a brighter, vibrant style while returning iconic elements like the red trunks, leading to a brighter hope among fans.
Superman: Legacy releases on July 11, 2025.
