Interview. James Gunn: "I didn't want to reinvent Superman, but to make him more intimate."

How did you approach casting David Corenswet as Superman? Were you looking to capture the charisma of Christopher Reeve (who starred in the saga between 1978 and 1987)?

“I was inspired by Curt Swan’s Superman , an iconic cartoonist from my childhood. But what struck me about Christopher Reeve was the joyful lightness he brought to the character. His Superman loved being a hero, but took pleasure in saving a cat from a tree to give it back to a little girl. This is the aspect I wanted to convey with David Corenswet.”

Christopher Reeve's son, Will Reeve, plays a TV reporter in your film. Was this a tribute to his father?

“Yes, absolutely. Will is a journalist in real life and plays a reporter in the film. He’s a great guy, who became a friend after we collaborated on a documentary about his father, one of the first DC projects under my direction. Including Will was a way to honor the legacy of Christopher Reeve, a historic figure of the character, and to recognize his contribution to the Superman universe.”

How did you balance preserving the spirit of Superman with a modern approach, particularly through cinematic technology?

“I wanted a Superman that was true to the Superman I grew up with: a force for good, protective, and honest. Some people feared that this sincerity would seem old-fashioned, but for me, that honesty is valuable. As for the technology, it’s not central to the story. What mattered to me, for example, was creating a menacing Lex Luthor, driven by a palpable hatred for Superman, and intelligent enough to pose a real danger.”

Did you try to reinvent Superman while remaining faithful to the classic version?

“I didn’t want to reinvent Superman, but rather to offer a version that was faithful to the one in the comics I love, while making it more intimate. I imagined what Superman would be like if he really existed: what would be his flaws, his ideals, his personality, his relationship with Lois Lane? I built the character from these questions, while incorporating the magic of comics that has always fascinated me.”

Is Superman the archetypal American hero?

“No, I see Superman as a universal hero. Although he's American, his message transcends borders. The film explores that idea: he's there for everyone, not just America.”

Is humor a central element in your film, as in your previous projects ( Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad )?

“The humor comes naturally. I don’t force jokes; I draw inspiration from life, where funny moments arise spontaneously. Unlike Guardians of the Galaxy , where I felt the need to add comic touches, here the humor comes from the interactions, like in the scenes between Lois and Clark. They talk, and if something is funny, it’s because their exchange rings true.”

What role do Superman's parents play, and how did you choose their actors?

“I wanted credible parents, rooted in rural Kansas, and actors who weren’t the stereotypical aging Hollywood stars. I wrote the role of Jonathan Kent with Pruitt Taylor Vince in mind, an actor I’ve admired since James Mangold’s Heavy . He auditioned and nailed it. Neva Howell, a relative unknown to me, brought incredible energy. Together, they make a genuine and engaging duo.”

Which scene was the most difficult to shoot, and why?

“The scene between Clark and his adoptive father on a bench was a challenge. We were shooting in Georgia in sweltering heat, in a room full of mold that triggered a terrible allergy—sneezing, swollen eyes. Plus, the scene was emotionally intense, with Pruitt Taylor Vince in tears. We also had to wait for the perfect light for a specific shot, which complicated the logistics. Conversely, a scene in Norway, where David Corenswet was dragged through the snow, proved easier thanks to meticulous planning and good weather.”

Where did the idea for the dog Krypto, this wacky character, come from?

“Krypto was inspired by my dog, Ozu, who trashed my house—shoes, furniture, an expensive computer, everything! When I was writing the script, I thought, ‘It’s a good thing he doesn’t have superpowers!’ And that’s how Krypto was born.”

Is Krypto a real dog or a digital effect?

“It’s entirely CGI, but based on Ozu. We scanned him in a 3D booth with thousands of cameras, then modeled him as white—Ozu is brown—to create Krypto. He has no idea he’s become a global star!”

Your film features animals, such as a turtle or a squirrel saved by Superman. Are you particularly attached to animals?

“Animals are my passion, much more than films. They are at the heart of my life.”

Superman , by James Gunn, in theaters this Wednesday, July 9. Duration: 2h09.