Unveiling the Epic Twist: The Unconventional Conflict in Superman: Legacy
Superman: Legacy - A Battle Within The upcoming film sees the iconic superhero wrestle with internal struggles while fighting to protect the world Prepare for an epic clash that delves deep into Superman's complex character
James Gunn will be directing Superman: Legacy, scheduled for release on July 11th, 2025. Fans are already speculating about the potential adversaries the Man of Steel will face in this new iteration of Clark Kent's story. While rumors of numerous villains entering the picture have circulated, nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
However, the greatest conflict is expected to arise from within Superman himself. Clark Kent will once again have to navigate the delicate balance between his life as a journalist at The Daily Planet and his superhero alter ego tasked with protecting the world from various threats. With David Corenswet taking over as the iconic superhero, replacing Henry Cavill, audiences can anticipate a younger Clark Kent grappling with his dual identity and the immense responsibility he holds towards the world.
Superman: Legacy's Main Conflict
Clark Kent has always struggled with his dual identity, torn between his human life and his origins on Krypton. In James Gunn's DCU universe, this internal conflict will continue for the character. Rumored to center around a Middle East conflict involving the fictional country of Bialya frequently mentioned in the DC universe, the Superman: Legacy story will see the return of Lex Luthor. However, Luthor is not expected to be the primary antagonist.
To make this movie compelling, Superman's primary struggle must be with himself and his contrasting personas. On one hand, he is a dedicated journalist seeking the latest news, while on the other hand, he is a superhero determined to safeguard the world from numerous threats.
James Gunn is the perfect choice to delve into this specific conflict. Having successfully directed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which featured Peter Quill's internal struggle as Star Lord, balancing his human persona with his intergalactic superhero alter ego, Gunn is well-equipped to tackle similar themes in his upcoming film. Although Superman: Legacy will not be an origin story, it will center around a younger Superman attempting to harmonize his Kryptonian background with his Smallville, Kansas upbringing and human family.
How Have Other Superman Movies Explored This Conflict
In total, there have been six solo Superman movies. The first one, directed by Richard Donner in 1978, featured Christopher Reeve as the iconic Man of Steel. Reeve portrayed the character four times, with his final appearance in 1987's "Superman 4: The Quest for Peace." Donner's initial film delved into the superhero's origin story, showcasing his early life as Kal-El in Krypton and his upbringing in Smallville, Kansas. It explored the inner turmoil Clark faced while concealing his extraordinary abilities in a small town. As the story progressed, Clark also had to hide his superpowers from his colleague and love interest, Lois Lane. The conflicts intensified as he battled against the infamous villain, Lex Luthor.
In "Superman 2," the focus shifted towards Clark Kent's secret identity and Lois' suspicion that he is also the legendary superhero. Eventually, Clark reveals his true self to Lois, leading to further conflict throughout the movie. The following two sequels shifted their attention away from Superman's personal struggles and instead concentrated on the adversaries he had to overcome.
The release of the next version of the Man of Steel faced a significant gap, with Brandon Routh assuming the iconic role in Superman Returns in 2006. The film was perceived as a sort of sequel to Superman and Superman 2, disregarding the events of the last two sequels. Superman has been absent for five years, leading to a major conflict where everyone he was close to has moved on from him. His love interest, Lois Lane, is now engaged and has a five-year-old son, leaving Superman to grapple with this reality.
Christopher Nolan became involved in the subsequent reboot of Superman, producing Man of Steel and giving the superhero a treatment similar to Batman Begins. The film explored the more human side of the character and the challenges that arise from possessing extraordinary powers. However, Batman v Superman and Justice League shifted the focus away from his internal conflicts, as they introduced other significant characters in the universe. It is unfortunate that Man of Steel never received a proper sequel, as it had the potential to delve deeper into Superman's inner struggles. With James Gunn's Superman: Legacy on the horizon, fans hope it can learn from previous Superman films and unveil the layers of Clark Kent/Superman's dual personality, ultimately providing the ultimate portrayal of this iconic DC character.
