Déjà vu? Here’s why James Gunn’s Superman plot rings a familiar bell

Superman is written and directed by James Gunn and will be the inaugural superhero film of the new chapter of the DC Universe. Gunn is also producing it with Peter Safran, and the film is slated to be released on July 11, 2025. Here's the official synopsis:

Superman must 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.

If the above-mentioned plot rings a familiar bell, you are not alone. Let us dig deep into this.

Superman plot rings a familiar bell

The film will follow the titular superhero's journey as he tries to reconcile his alien origins while living on Earth as Clark Kent. The plot is on the same line as Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was a part of the DC Extended Universe.

The trailer of the forthcoming film features Lois Lane asking Clark Kent about his adventures as the superhero. He reveals that he stopped a war, but that made him a polarizing person. She tells him that his activities are being monitored by the Secretary of Defense. Batman v Superman had a similar plot where Clark Kent has to save Lois, who is abducted by an African terrorist group. This throws him into a geo-political scenario. It was planned by Lex Luthor. Fans will have to wait to see if Lex is also behind the conspiracy. In both these films, Kent is at odds with the world.

Besides the plot, both these films also feel thematically and stylistically similar. But Lex's plans against the superhero will be interesting to witness. However, a major difference is that this superhero does not win every fight, and he doesn't seem invincible.

Superman is the first entry in Chapter One: Gods and Monsters from the DC Universe. The cast members of the film include,

David Corenswet as Clark Kent aka Superman
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt aka Mister Terrific
Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason aka Metamorpho
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner aka Green Lantern
Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders aka Hawkgirl

The film was earlier titled Superman: Legacy, which was shortened. James Gunn spoke to IGN to reveal the reasons behind it. He said,

“We do this thing called the pre-mortem before we start shooting. You ever hear of this? It's great. We go into a room with me and all the department heads and we say, let's say this movie is a colossal f***-up. We find out two years from now when this movie comes out, it goes terribly wrong. What are we doing right now that we're not talking about [that’s] making this movie wrong? It gives a chance for all of the parties involved to speak their mind, whether it's about the script, whether it's about the casting, whether it's about how departments aren't communicating with each other. Everybody is allowed, from transportation to whatever, they're all allowed to say what they think. And I found it extremely helpful.”

The film is slated to be released on July 11, 2025.