The Unstoppable Ascension of Brightburn 2

Superhero movies have been dominating the world for quite some time now, but their reign may be coming to an end due to overexpansion. Brightburn recognized the need for a superhero horror film and aimed to fill that void in the market. Major studios are not willing to take the risk of an R-rated movie with their valuable intellectual property, but James Gunn, along with his cousin Mark and brother Brian, took on the challenge of exploring the dark side of Superman. And now, just imagine what they could do with Brightburn 2.

Since the release of Brightburn, James Gunn has become a prominent figure in the superhero genre, generating a great deal of buzz. He is like DC's own Kevin Feige, responsible for creating some of the finest films in the franchise. He already has the honor of having his name associated with the best trilogy in the MCU. Gunn's involvement in Brightburn was a significant selling point in the film's trailers, and a sequel would undoubtedly attract even more attention.

Brightburn 2 Must Make Brandon A Character

Brandon Breyer, the antagonist of Brightburn, is portrayed as the evil counterpart to Superman, but lacks depth and personality. His origin story closely mirrors that of Clark Kent, with borrowed shots from Man of Steel. At the age of 12, he discovers his superpowers, transforming from a quiet and ordinary child into a terrifying monster. The film provides little insight into the reasons behind his transformation, suggesting that any 12-year-old with such powers would become a dangerous force. While this may hold some truth, the swift shift from a charming kid to a ruthless killer within eleven minutes diminishes the impact. The only conflict in Brandon's transformation lies in his affection for his mother. It is unclear whether his attachment to humanity was solely due to his love for her. If this is the case, it raises questions as to why his unhinged nature went unnoticed. To make Brightburn 2 more compelling, Brandon Breyer must be developed into a complex character with conflicting motives and depth.

Brightburn 2 Must Refine Its Satire

Brightburn fails to deliver any meaningful commentary on the superhero genre it claims to be a part of. Instead, it merely uses certain elements commonly found in comic book adaptations to create a horror movie. The first installment was released a decade into the MCU's dominance in popular culture, and a potential Brightburn 2 would come out after the movement's fifteenth anniversary. However, audiences have been shifting their interests away from this genre towards things like Barbie and Oppenheimer. Rather than being released shortly after Avengers: Endgame, a sequel would debut following Thunderbolts. While there is ample opportunity for satirizing the superhero genre, Brightburn makes no attempt to cleverly criticize its tropes. Even James Gunn's trademark dark comedy style fails to target the superhero movies that could have been ripe for satire. Despite having a simple and enjoyable premise, the film misses the chance to explore the broader excesses of the franchise. Various other entries in this subgenre, such as The Boys, Deadpool, and Invincible, have successfully conveyed meaningful messages. The horror of a super-powered pre-teen pales in comparison to the terror of cultural hegemony. Brightburn 2 could provide the Gunn family with an opportunity to delve into their own experiences with the superhero genre.

Brightburn 2 Must Ditch the Evil Superman Gimmick

There comes a time when a cultural idea reaches its end, and it becomes universally recognized. Homelander and Omni-Man have been highly popular fictional characters in recent years. DC Comics has created numerous evil versions of Superman, and this trope has been overused in recent live-action portrayals. The world understands it - the most powerful hero doing something terrible. It has been used in horror, comedy, action, and everything in between. However, there is an audience craving for the rare examples of a hopeful, optimistic Superman. Brightburn, released before The Boys and Invincible, faced challenges in a world still captivated by Omni-Man and Homelander. To make Brightburn 2 worthwhile, it needs to bring a fresh perspective.

Creating Brightburn 2 is a daunting task. There is low interest in a sequel to the largely forgotten 2019 film with a mid-budget. Since Brightburn, Brian and Mark Gunn have had no notable achievements. Director David Yarovesky has only released one new film, Nightbooks, on Netflix in 2021. Although James Gunn has not dismissed the idea of a Brightburn 2, he has not actively supported it either. Given Gunn's current workload, fans should not hold their breath. If, by some chance, Brightburn 2 moves forward, certain choices will need to be made to ensure its success.