In a time of extreme uncertainty—amid political turmoil, worldwide climate emergency, economic disparity, and a surge in misinformation—there is something radical about sincerity. As the world grows more polarized and increasingly cynical, the return of Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming film feels like more than just another comic book movie.
It has the potential to be a cultural moment, a reintroduction of an icon who offers moral clarity in a time where it is needed more than ever.
Against this backdrop, Superman stands apart. He is not a morally grey vigilante or a flawed genius. He is, simply, good. He has long been a symbol of hope, a reminder that incredible strength should be used to protect and not dominate, that kindness is a strength, not a weakness.
Dark and gritty heroes have dominated the last decade of film and television, including Superman’s last cinematic incarnation. But as the world grows darker, the appetite for that kind of story has shifted. Superman’s optimism was once considered old-fashioned, even boring. But now it is beginning to feel like a bold stance.
Superman’s return
James Gunn’s Superman will premiere in July 2025, and early reactions suggest it is a return to classic form for the character. This Superman does not shy away from compassion, warmth, or optimism. After years of conflicted and alienated portrayals, this feels like a major course correction. Gunn is on a mission to remind audiences why Superman matters, not just show how powerful he is.
This hopeful spirit mirrors Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman comic, which is considered by many (director James Gunn included) to be the definitive modern take on the character. In this story, Superman discovers he is dying and proceeds to spend his final days performing small acts of love, helping others, often quietly and without fanfare. Even against unfathomable odds, he does not lash out. He continues being who he is: a man who cares. It is a deeply humane portrait of the alien, a character often accused of being too perfect. In Morrison’s hands, Superman’s greatest power is his heart.
Of course, this is not the first time that Superman has been a light in the dark. In the early 2000s, Smallville showed television audiences the journey from Clark Kent to Superman. From a boy on a Kansas farm to a legend in Metropolis, Smallville showed a young man coming to terms with his powers and the importance of being a hero, surrounded by a family that loved him unconditionally. In a post-9/11 world marked by fear and paranoia, Smallville gave audiences a Superman-in-progress, one that was vulnerable and full of doubt, but always striving to do the right thing. This message is likely to resonate just as powerfully in 2025.
Superman’s enduring relevance
There is also a deeper relevance to Clark Kent’s story. He is famously an immigrant, sent to Earth as a baby from his dying world, Krypton. In the town of Smallville, he is raised with love by Jonathan and Martha Kent and becomes the best of what the world has to offer.
In an era where our political landscape is rife with debates about immigration and borders, Superman is a powerful symbol. He reminds us that where someone comes from matters far less than who they choose to be. The journey of Clark Kent here on Earth is one of compassion, not suspicion. The kindness and acceptance shown by the Kents to the scared baby from Krypton should shape our response to those most in need.
Truth, justice, and a better tomorrow
At a moment in time when the world feels particularly fragile, Superman reminds us of the strength that comes from not giving in to fear. He chooses hope over despair, optimism over pessimism, and, crucially, others over himself. This is what makes Superman an enduring character, and it is what makes him so relevant today. Not his powers, but his values.
In a time where empathy is often an afterthought, Superman offers a radical point of view. His stories show that there are not always easy answers, but that decency is always possible, even when it is tough.
Superman remains a symbol of what we can be when we choose to be good. Not perfect, just good. And in 2025, that is heroic.
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