After rewatching Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, one scene stands out as the perfect Superman moment—and it’s exactly what James Gunn’s new DC Universe needs to recapture. While the DCEU often struggled with its portrayal of the Last Son of Krypton, Man of Steel delivered a powerful, emotional core that future DC films should embrace.
The DCEU’s Problem with Superman
The DC Extended Universe had a mixed track record with Superman:
✔️ Too much brooding, not enough hope (Batman v Superman)
✔️ Rushed character development (Justice League)
✔️ Missing classic Superman optimism (until Zack Snyder’s Justice League)
But Man of Steel got one thing brilliantly right—and the DCU reboot should take notes.
The Man of Steel Moment the DCU Needs to Recreate
The Smallville Fight Scene: Superman’s First Real Heroic Stand
One of the most electrifying sequences in Man of Steel is Superman’s first public battle in Smallville against General Zod’s forces. Why does it work so well?
✅ Perfect Balance of Power & Vulnerability – Superman isn’t invincible yet, making the stakes real.
✅ Human Connection – He saves soldiers and civilians, proving his heroism isn’t just about strength.
✅ Spectacle with Heart – The action is jaw-dropping, but it’s grounded in Clark’s moral choice to protect Earth.
This is the essence of Superman—raw power guided by compassion and courage.
What James Gunn’s DCU Superman Must Avoid
The DCEU’s weakest Superman moments came when the character felt:
❌ Detached from humanity (e.g., Batman v Superman’s “Martha” moment)
❌ Overly dark for no reason (e.g., killing Zod without emotional follow-up)
❌ Underwritten in team-up films (Justice League sidelined him)
Gunn’s Superman: Legacy must instead focus on:
✔️ Hope & Inspiration – Superman as a beacon, not a conflicted antihero.
✔️ Relatable Struggles – Balancing godlike power with human connections.
✔️ Iconic Heroism – Moments like Smallville’s battle, where action meets heart.
How the New DCU Can Improve on Man of Steel
While Man of Steel had flaws, its best Superman moments set a blueprint:
- More Smallville, Less Destruction – Focus on personal heroics, not city-leveling CGI.
- Clear Character Growth – Let Superman earn his symbol, not just inherit it.
- Emotional Payoff – Give his choices real consequences (unlike the abandoned Knightmare arc).
If Superman: Legacy can blend Snyder’s visual grandeur with Gunn’s emotional storytelling, it could finally deliver the definitive modern Superman.
Final Verdict: What the DCU Should Keep (and Drop) from the DCEU
✅ Keep: Man of Steel’s physicality and awe-inspiring action.
✅ Drop: The excessive gloom that overshadowed Superman’s optimism.
