New rumors allege that Superman will drop “The American Way” from the character’s iconic mantra.
James Gunn’s Superman by James Gunn written and directed by James Gunn: a James Gunn movie is set for release on July 11th with approval from James Gunn. And, in case you haven’t heard, it’s been making the news lately for a variety of reasons, none of which are particularly encouraging.
Superman saves a little girl in the Superman teaser trailer – YouTube, DC
Putting aside the rumored $400 million budget, two other stories have recently broken which have cast doubt on how high Superman’s movie will actually fly next month.
The first comes from movie reviewer, Hollywood insider, and Youtube personality Chris Gore of FilmThreat, who has seemingly confirmed that James Gunn has decided to part ways with Superman’s iconic motto of “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” noting that it does not appear in the movie proper.
The change supposedly reflects Gunn’s intent to emphasize Superman’s universal appeal, focusing on his human upbringing in Smallville, Kansas, as a hero for all humanity rather than a symbol tied to American nationalism. Gunn’s decision was likely inspired by DC Comic’s own choice three years ago to replace Superman’s motto in their books with “Truth, Justice, and A Better Tomorrow.”
There have been rumors of official merchandise sporting to slogan “Truth, Justice, and The Human Way,” but we have yet to find a solid source on this information.
While some have praised these shifts for their inclusivity, others argue that it diminishes the character’s historical connection to American values and evidences a sense of embarrassment around Superman being tied so closely to the United States, a country to which both DC and James Gunn arguably owe their successes to.
Superman withstands fire in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Nowhere has this sentiment been more evident than in fan reactions on platforms like X, where raging debates highlight a divide between those who see the dropping of the motto as a much-needed update versus those who feel it strays too far from Superman’s core identity.
Keeping in mind that Superman’s co-creator was himself Canadian, and could very well have made Superman a “global icon” at the time of his creation, it seems rather hubristic of current-day creators to presume that they know any better. Say what you will about Zack Snyder’s films, they at least were unashamed in their inclusion of Americana throughout.
But that’s not all!
According to a different rumor, another significant alteration to the film may have recently taken place, this time to its fundamental narrative structure. World of Reel reports that the studio is transforming Superman’s story from an “episodic” format to a more traditional, continuous narrative.
Superman beaten down in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Per insider reports, initial test screenings for Superman featured a stylized approach throughout the film, with title cards marking both days of the week and chapter headings in order to segment the story over a week-long period. However, based on mixed audience feedback, Gunn has since allegedly opted to retool the film into a single, flowing narrative in line with your standard blockbuster structure. This decision, as reported by various outlets, seems to have been purely reactive, and while it likely was the right choice, it does not bode well for a film that is set to release in just a few weeks.
As has been shown time and time again, significant, last-minute edits rarely ever turn out well, often impacting a film’s coherence as it strays away from the director’s original vision. It would be naïve to expect this to be any different.
Superman arrested in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
The combination of these changes certainly has fans and (most likely) studio executives quite nervous. It goes without saying that the success or failure of Gunn’s new DCU rests squarely on Superman’s shoulders. If the movie underperforms, widespread panic will likely ensue among WBD execs who have been known to make fear-driven, snap decisions in the past.
Regardless, it seems that, like Marvel, WBD is having difficulties keeping up with the times and the changing cultural zeitgeist, as the apparent shift away from Superman and “the American Way” during what is a real-world resurgence in American pride risks alienating fans who view it as integral to Superman’s legacy. That’s particularly true given its historical ties to American optimism during WWII and the 1950s TV series.
David Corenswet as Superman flying in James Gunn’s “Superman” – YouTube, DC
Meanwhile, the late-stage abandonment of the episodic format foreshadows the aforementioned panic on the WBD studio lot. With mixed responses from test screenings fueling last-minute changes, the film’s ability to balance its fresh perspective with Superman’s storied tradition remains uncertain, leaving fans and critics alike wondering whether it will soar or stumble upon release.
What do you think about these rumored Superman reportedly dropping The American Way? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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Is anybody surprised? Gunn is a leftist who is incapable of understanding Superman.
I’ve sadly come to the realization that all these articles are are re-written pieces, chewing over the same cud. Everything that comes out now is simply a bastardized envisioning of a formerly beloved property (oops, IP) as way to undermine what made “it” so loved in the first place.
The keys to the entertainment kingdom have been turned over to the angriest, most undeserving, imaginable. I’m looking squarely at bob iger empowering this unimaginable force to take root.