In James Gunn's new take on the iconic DC Comics character, Superman gets a chance to fly in space. David Corenswet starred as the Man of Steel last year in Superman, the first film release in the new DC Universe under the direction of DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. However, his first film almost completely missed the moment where he left Earth's atmosphere.
Sideshow Collectibles has unveiled a new poster for James Gunn's Superman film. Designed as a postage stamp, the poster features David Corenswet's Superman in his first film costume: his cape billowing behind him, his left arm extended forward, his hand clenched into a fist. His faithful companion, the superdog Krypto, flies below.
In this shot, Superman and Krypto are flying far from Earth, marking their first appearance in space. Interestingly, in the film's post-credits scene, they sat together on the Moon, looking down at Earth, but this was the only time they were off-planet in the film.
Fans have seen many of the previous Superman actors get the chance to fly through space in his classic superhero suit. This happened several times during Henry Cavill's eight years in the DC Extended Universe, most notably in 2013's Man of Steel. He flew over several continents before launching into space and orbiting the planet at top speed.
In the 2006 film Superman Returns, there was a similar moment with Brandon Routh's Clark Kent, when he flew into space at night and hovered among the stars. He closed his eyes and listened to the cacophony of sounds and voices coming from Earth before soaring back through the atmosphere.
One of the most iconic scenes in "Superman in Space" comes from the 1978 film "Superman," where the late Christopher Reeve blasts off from Earth and gives her his famous smile. He's also famous for the moment when, traveling at superspeed, he reversed the world to turn back time.
DC Comics also feature numerous moments where Superman flies through space, often leaving Earth to travel to other planets or admire his new home.
Space serves as an excellent venue for showcasing the Man of Steel's full abilities, as he is often depicted flying at super-speeds through one of his natural habitats.
Superman's legacy will continue on the big screen this year with Supergirl, which hits theaters on June 26. Corenswet's Clark Kent will then return as the title character in Man of Tomorrow, which opens on July 9, 2027.
Corenswet will have a small role in the upcoming Supergirl film, following Millie Alcock's brief appearance at the end of his first solo DC film. His role is expected to be similar to Alcock's in Superman, or perhaps a bit more so. The promotional campaign has so far shown a few shots of Corenswet's character, including a full trailer in which he introduces himself to her after she crash-lands on Earth for the first time.
However, he will return to action in Man of Tomorrow, written and directed by James Gunn. In the film, he will face off against Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor in an epic battle against Lars Eidinger's Brainiac. Given that Brainiac is expected to take place in space, this film could give Corenswet his first opportunity to venture beyond Earth and get his "cosmic" break.
This will also be Gunn's first DC film, made during or before the DCEU, to explore outer space, as his only space scene was in 2021's The Suicide Squad, where the villain Starro soared among the stars. While that should change in Supergirl, Superman's appearance in space will be a turning point in his expectedly long theatrical run.