Movie Maniac: Just in time: Another ‘Superman’ for the ages

If the world ever needed a “Superman,” it’s right now.

The latest big-screen adaptation of the classic DC Comic bursts into theaters this week, amid explosive hype. And amid real-life political turmoil.

“Superman is the story of America,” director James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) said in an interview with the UK’s Sunday Times. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

Gunn’s new vision finds Superman fighting to reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way, he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.

Relative newcomer David Corenswet (Netflix’s “Hollywood”) stars as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (TV’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and British import Nicholas Hoult (“Nosferatu,” TV’s “The Great”) as Lex Luthor.

Superman was created in 1934 by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster before making his debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Since then, there have been numerous incarnations of the Man of Steel, including many movie adaptations.

Here’s a look at some of the previous films:

“Superman and the Mole-Men” (1951) – This was the first feature-length Superman movie, directed by Lee Sholem and starring George Reeves as our hero and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. Reeves would go on to star in the TV series “The Adventures of Superman” from 1952 to 1958.

“Superman: The Movie” (1978) – Richard Donner directed Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor. The film was a critical and commercial success, prompting several sequels that were up-and-down, at best (1981’s “Superman II,” 1983’s “Superman III” and 1987’s “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”).

“Superman Returns” (2006) – Bryan Singer (“The Usual Suspects,” “X-Men”) directed Brandon Routh as Superman, Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Singer’s moody take on the superhero garnered mixed reviews and lackluster box office.

“Man of Steel” (2013) – Usually over-the-top director Zack Snyder (“300”) lent his frenetic style to a higher-action vision of the tale with Henry Cavill as Superman and Amy Adams as Lois Lane. This spawned several follow-ups by Snyder starring Cavill: 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” 2017’s “Justice League” (co-directed by Joss Whedon) and 2021’s “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” a four-hour extended cut of the original. Excessive? Perhaps. But Superman is anything but subtle.

Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.

This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 6:05 AM.