The Balancing Act of Backstory in the DCEU
When James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy” soars into theaters in 2025, it won’t just be another superhero flick. It’s set to be a cornerstone in the new DC Universe continuity, introducing characters like Green Lantern and Hawkgirl into the canon. But the spotlight will, of course, be on Clark Kent, our beloved Superman. Gunn has made it clear that the film won’t rehash Superman’s origin story, stating, “I think we’ve seen his origin enough in film at this time!”
This decision echoes a similar narrative choice made for Batman in Zack Snyder’s DCEU. While it streamlined the introduction of a well-known character, it also led to some confusion.
“While the DCEU does show Bruce Wayne’s parents getting shot, it does skip his backstory of becoming the version of Batman seen on screen,” Gunn explained.
The Pitfalls of Skipping Batman’s Backstory
Batman is a cultural icon, and his story is well-known. But when Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne was introduced in the DCEU, the films glossed over much of his backstory. This led to a Batman who was overly violent and jaded, a departure from the character’s usual portrayal.
“Hints are dropped as to why this may be, such as the costume of a dead Robin in the Batcave, but by skimming over important elements of backstory, some of Bruce’s characterization comes off as unwarranted, unearned, and unexplained,” Gunn pointed out.
The Fine Line Superman: Legacy Must Walk
Superman’s story is almost as well-known as Batman’s, but there are nuances that could be lost if not handled carefully. For instance, “Man of Steel” presented a Jonathan Kent who was more paranoid than inspiring. While “Superman: Legacy” doesn’t need to show the destruction of Krypton or Clark’s upbringing, it might need to provide some context for Clark’s character.
“Clark may still have a close and meaningful relationship with one or both parents in Superman: Legacy, or he could reminisce about their time together even without showing them on-screen,” Gunn suggested.
Why Superman Can Afford to Skip the Backstory
Unlike Batman, Superman’s character doesn’t require a complex backstory to explain his optimism and belief in humanity. His morals and ethics are straightforward, making it easier for the audience to understand him without needing a detailed origin story.
“Unless Superman: Legacy plans to make dramatic changes to who Clark Kent is as a person, it should be just fine keeping his backstory to a minimum,” Gunn concluded.
The Road Ahead for Superman: Legacy
As “Superman: Legacy” prepares to take flight, it has the opportunity to redefine how superhero stories are told. By carefully choosing what to include and what to omit, the film can offer a fresh take on an iconic character without sacrificing the essence of who he is. In a world saturated with origin stories, perhaps what we need is a hero who is simply allowed to be heroic.
