James Gunn’s Superman Is Like Christopher Nolan’s Batman Movies In One Very Important Way

James Gunn’s Superman movie has been compared to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy due to one key part of the DC Universe’s first film. Nolan’s The Dark Knight is widely regarded as the best or one of the best superhero movies of all time.

The director’s entire Batman trilogy is acclaimed by fans and critics alike. As such, any new DC movie that is compared to it in a positive light is exciting, and it seems like the upcoming DCU Superman reboot will be similar to Nolan’s Batman movies in one way.

ScreenRant was in attendance for a Superman movie set visit alongside other outlets, where Lois Lane star Rachel Brosnahan compared the DCU film to Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies. According to the actress, the main way the franchises connect is due to how Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy was “such a specific representation of these comics at a specific moment in time.”

Brosnahan hopes that the same goes for Superman, with the highly-anticipated DC movie bringing the version of the Man of Steel the world needs right now, just like Nolan’s films did for Batman. Check out the full quote below:

Rachel Brosnahan: “It feels hopeful, rather than explicitly comedic to me. I think one of the things I love about so many of James’s movies is that they’re a real sH๏τ in the arm of hope. They remind you that the reason people love comic books is because they teach us that superheroes aren’t the only superheroes. They aren’t the only ones with important powers in these worlds. They remind us the importance of courage and tenacity and interest in each other’s well-being. What it means to be in service of the greater good. And I think we could really use a sH๏τ in the arm of hope right now.

A lot of these movies, you know, the Nolan Batman movies, were such a specific representation of these comics at a specific moment in time. And I think part of the reason they were so successful is because they felt like what we needed. And so the hope is that this version is the Superman we need right now.”

What Rachel Brosnahan’s Nolan Batman Comparison Means For James Gunn’s Superman

The DC Universe’s First Movie Could Not Be Compared To A Better Franchise

Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy is the golden standard when it comes to DC films. While it was not as accurate to the comics as James Gunn’s DC Universe is expected to be, what Brosnahan said about the Batman movies rings true. Nolan knew that audiences wanted to see a more realistic take on Batman after the franchise’s years dormant.

Before Batman Begins in 2005, the last live-action movie for the Dark Night was 1997’s Batman & Robin. The project is one of the most criticized superhero movies of all time, with fans not connecting to the lighter and more vibrant take on the source material. Nolan’s Batman movies were exactly what the hero needed then.

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Due to that, Brosnahan’s comparison between Superman and The Dark Knight trilogy makes sense. The DCEU’s take on Superman with Henry Cavill also received a lot of criticism for how it did not focus on the happier and more hopeful side of the hero. David Corenswet’s Man of Steel seems to have hit those notes, which is working in trailers so far.

Our Take On Rachel Brosnahan Comparing Superman To Nolan’s Batman Movies

The New Version Of The Man Of Steel Is What Is Needed

I’m right there with Brosnahan in her comparison between James Gunn’s Superman movie and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. The new DCU will be closer to the comics than the old DCEU. After a Superman whose life was shrouded in darkness, it only feels right that the new Man of Steel is lighter and wants to save everyone.

The Cast Of James Gunn’s Superman Movie

Actor

Character

David Corenswet

Clark Kent/Superman

Rachel Brosnahan

Lois Lane

Nicholas Hoult

Lex Luthor

Skyler Gisondo

Jimmy Olsen

Terence Rosemore

Otis

Sara Sampaio

Eve Teschmacher

Nathan Fillion

Guy Gardner/Green Lantern

Edi Gathegi

Michael Holt/Mister Terrific

Isabela Merced

Hawkgirl

Anthony Carrigan

Rex Mason/Metamorpho

María Gabriela De Faría

Angela Spica/The Engineer

Brosnahan’s hope that Superman manages to be what the Nolan Batman movies were for that character is reasonable. It very much seems like the perfect time for a hopeful take on the Man of Steel, be it due to how the last iteration of the character played out or what the world is looking like today. Superman can be quite successful.

With Superman‘s debut right around the corner, we should soon get an answer on how effective Brosnahan’s comparison to Nolan’s Batman movies will turn out to be. That said, with James Gunn’s new movie breaking trailer and pre-sales records leading up to its release, things are looking bright for DC’s Superman.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11.

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