Superman is returning to the big screen with more than just superpowers — filmmaker James Gunn hopes the iconic hero will reignite hope in an increasingly skeptical world.

“Everybody’s gotten so cynical and ironic,” said Gunn. “Everybody’s ironic about everything all the time. And he (Superman) is a good-natured guy who wants to be kind. And when you see the world through Superman’s eyes, everyone is beautiful.”

Opening in theaters nationwide Thursday, Superman marks a tonal shift for Gunn, known for the irreverent energy of Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy. With this film, optimism takes center stage — fitting for a character who has represented hope since debuting in Action Comics #1 in 1938.

Gunn’s story introduces a Superman already three years into his mission to help those in need. Now, he must grapple with the meaning of doing good in a morally complex world, where adversaries like Lex Luthor question his motives.

“We get to really discover what are his flaws, what are his opinions, what are his ideals,” said Gunn. “I think we get a very intimate look at his relationship with Lois. I also think that it’s a bigger movie than it’s ever been told with Superman before.”

This version of Superman, played by David Corenswet, seeks acceptance from his adopted planet. Gunn asked Corenswet to tap into both physical strength and emotional vulnerability. “Any fantasy I had of transforming into this character sort of got dashed by James’ desire, I think, for me to bring a little more of myself to the role,” Corenswet told The Associated Press.

A Justice Gang with a Purpose

The film also introduces a new group of allies — the so-called “Justice Gang” — including Hawk Girl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Green Lantern member Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion). While the name is a placeholder, the theme of collective action runs strong.

Merced said watching the film after a tough week of real-world news left her feeling unexpectedly uplifted. “I was really relieved when I watched it,” she said. “I was having a terrible week, consuming way too much real media and watching this made me feel really light and happy and at least hopeful.”

Gathegi described the film as a “meditation on the human spirit,” adding, “Whatever problem that you’re going through, you can attack. If it’s a big societal issue or interpersonal issue, you have the power to deal with the problems that you can deal with.”

Highlighting Journalism’s Role

While Superman fights villains, his alter ego Clark Kent and the Daily Planet team fight misinformation and injustice. The newsroom is more than a backdrop — it’s part of the film’s core message.

“James’ intentional focus on the importance of journalism and journalistic integrity in this film is potentially more important now than it has been,” said Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane. “It’s been an honor to step into that.”

Beck Bennett, who plays reporter Steve Lombard, emphasized the power of the press: “They are exposing some truth so that people can get the truth and turn on the person who is actually doing them harm.”

Skyler Gisondo, portraying reporter Jimmy Olsen, said the newsroom scenes carried real weight: “Reading the script, you have a sense that the work that we’re doing is just as important as the action itself.”

A Legacy of Hope

The film even includes a cameo by real-life journalist Will Reeve, son of the late Christopher Reeve, who played Superman in the 1978 classic. “That means a lot to me, and I think that has a lot with what Superman is and represents as a character,” Reeve said of his father’s legacy.

For Wendell Pierce, who plays editor Perry White, superhero stories like Superman have a deeper role in culture: “People want to feel empowered. They want to feel as though they can make a contribution in some way and change the dynamic to change this dysfunctional paradigm.”

He added, “So we turn off the lights and go into a small theater because we want to see collectively, decide what our values are and who we are, where we’ve been, where we’ve failed, where we can triumph... and walk out of the theater and act on those.”