Actress Phoebe Dynevor recently revealed a number of details about the character of Lois Lane in director James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy film.
Bridgerton. Phoebe Dyvenor as Daphne Basset in episode 203 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2022
Dynevor revealed to Variety she tried out for the role of Lois Lane, but eventually did not win the role. Gunn and DC Studios chose Rachel Brosnahan to play the iconic character.
First, she described the casting process, “It was a whirlwind and then I realized that it was over, but it was great.”
Next, she shared details about the character, “She saves Superman. She’s the brains; she’s actually the fearless one.”
Fair Play, behind the scenes L to R: Alden Ehrenreich as Luke, Phoebe Dynevor as Emily Brandon Bassir as Dax. Cr. Sergej Radovic / Courtesy of Netflix
These comments are a huge red flag and appear to indicate that the film will follow in the wake of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars by pushing a feminist messaging.
In both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, female heroes and characters are always stealing the glory or the heroic moments from male characters. When the female characters aren’t stealing the glory, they are replacing male character as seen with the characters of Taskmaster in Black Widow and Mar-Vell in Captain Marvel.
In both franchises many of the female characters are overpowered individuals who have no true trials. Rey is the most obvious in Star Wars, but in the Marvel Cinematic Universe one need only look at Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel and Emilia Clarke’s G’iah in the Secret Invasion series.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #1 (1959), DC Comics
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Not only do Dynevor’s comments indicate Gunn and DC Studios will be pushing a heavy feminist messaging, but her comments come in the wake of James Gunn revealing that DC Comics writer Tom King is integral to shaping DC Universe.
Gunn noted on Threads, “Tom is an integral part of the DCU, not just WoT. He’s one of the first people I showed the Superman script, asking for notes. He’s included in various ways in numerous other projects, including WoT. And, yes.”
James Gunn on Threads
He had previously revealed in an interview with DC.com that King was one of the chief architects of the DC Universe.
Speaking about the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow film, Gunn said, “This is based on Tom King (and Bilquis Evely)’s wonderful comic. Tom has been one of the architects of this entire situation. He’s been one of the guys in the room with us, along with four or five other writers. I love his take on these characters. He just turns them slightly to be something very unique.”
He concluded, “In our story, we have Superman who was sent to Earth and raised by incredibly loving parents. Kara was on Krypton. She was on a piece of Krypton that drifted away from the planet and she lived there for the first fourteen years of her life in a horrible situation where she watched everyone around her die. So, she’s a much harsher and more f*cked up Supergirl than you’ve been used to thus far.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Sean Gunn and James Gunn attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
As for what to expect from Superman: Legacy, Gunn previously detailed back in March 2023, “A bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centering around Superman’s heritage – how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.”
Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centering around Superman’s heritage – how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 15, 2023
Gunn would also inform Gizmodo, “I want to tell a story that treats the characters with dignity and compassion and is the best, most surprising, most moving story I can possibly tell. And if that ends up being just moving, because it’s a fun blast of a film, or if it ends up being moving because you’re sobbing, or it makes you feel that rage, or whatever it makes you feel, I’m good with all of those things as long as it works.”
He added, “I can’t say I’m looking for any particular emotions to bring out through Superman, but I don’t want it to be unemotional. I don’t want it to deny that we are as human beings emotional characters and Superman is also that.”
DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran also informed Variety, “It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.”
Safran added that Superman “is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
Superman #53 Cover Art by Jerry Ordway (1991), DC Comics
What do you make Dynevor’s comments about Lois Lane and how she might be depicted in Superman: Legacy?
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