A common complaint about Superman is that he’s supposedly “boring,” because he’s both morally pure and impossibly powerful. Why has Batman eclipsed Superman as DC’s flagship character? Some say it’s because he’s more human (well, that and The Dark Knight has better villains). Evil Superman parodies are also in vogue because many can’t buy into a perfect hero.
However, the only thing that makes a story “boring” is the limit of imagination to the one telling it. Corenswet’s point is a solid one; Superman lives in a world that isn’t made for him, yet he still cherishes and protects it. I’d point to the animated “Justice League” series. In the episode, “Only A Dream,” Clark has a nightmare where he loses control of his powers and accidentally kills Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen; the implication is he lives with this fear every day.
In the series finale “Destroyer,” when Superman is fighting Darkseid, he throws his usual caution to the wind. He unleashes the worst beating the God of Evil has ever taken and monologues:
“I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard, always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could die. But you can take it, can’t you, big man? What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose and show you just how powerful I really am.”
Since Gunn’s DC Universe is bringing in totalitarian vigilantes the Authority, I think “Legacy” and the franchise it’s meant to spawn also have a great opportunity to spotlight Superman’s invincible will. With his power, he could exert himself on Earth as a dictator, but he chooses not to — and is a stronger man for it.
“Superman: Legacy” is set for theatrical release on July 11, 2025.