Superman is without question the most popular DC superhero, but bringing him to the big screen has been a challenge. As the DCEU continues to expand, which Supes story should be up next for a big-screen adaptation?
In 1978, Christopher Reeve took flight as Superman in the first of three films. While the first is regarded as a classic, the second and third aren't as beloved. Since then, creators have been trying to nail a big-screen adaptation of Supes.
Bryan Singer and Zack Snyder had middling reviews with Superman Returns (2006) and Man of Steel (2013) respectively. As a result, even the likes of James Gunn have passed on a Superman film. Perhaps what a Superman film needs is a story fans wouldn't expect. They may not be the simplest to bring to the big screen, but here are the comic storylines we wish the DCEU would translate into film.
Supergirl From Krypton: Superman/Batman
Already adapted as a stellar animated film Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Supergirl from Krypton is the Post-Crisis introduction of Kara Zor-El AKA Supergirl. Coinciding with Superman falling into a depression over being the last Kryptonian, Kara arrives to Earth with a bevy of Kryptonite, earning Batman's mistrust and creating tension amongst The Justice League. Superman shows kindness to Kara and sends her to train with the Amazons. She is targeted and seduced by Darkseid, whose control she has to overcome to prove her heroism.
Save for Lex Luthor, Superman doesn't have an iconic rogues gallery. Introducing Darkseid would circumvent that problem and establish a major player in the DCEU. Also, the tension between Supergirl and Batman provides enough intriguing conflict on its own. Additionally, showing Superman's depression as well as framing him as a caring, paternal mentor would be an exciting on-screen characterization of Kal-El.
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come is a future, alternate universe tale that finds a retired Superman and Justice League contending with the next generation of heroes. Superman has to take an authoritarian approach with his young, reckless counterparts who inadvertently cause Chernobyl-esque event. He reassembles the Justice League and imprisons these heroes, while an estranged, more progressive Batman leads his own team of second and third-generation heroes against him.
Taking Superman out of the mainline DCEU continuity for a film is a gamble, but following the success of the Joker that may not be a bad thing. While Joker tackled classicism and mental health issues, Kingdom Come mirrors the real-world generational conflict between Millenials/Gen Z and the Baby Boomer generation. Portraying Superman as someone who is afraid to let go of outdated ideas is a way to shake up the one-dimensional hero the masses have grown accustomed to.
For the Man Who Has Everything
Adapted twice on the small screen, in Justice League Unlimited and on the live-action Supergirl TV Series, For the Man Who has Everything is a tale that finds Superman infected by a parasitic alien plant that reveals his deepest desires. While Batman and Wonder Woman attempt to free him from a catatonic induced by the parasite, Superman dreams of an ideal life on Krypton, a dream which quickly turns dark.
While Superman is best known for soaring over Metropolis and using his laser vision to stop villains, For the Man Who has Everything would allow for an extensive psychological examination of who Superman truly is. It would also allow filmmakers to take a deeper dive into the alien culture of Krypton. Superman's dreamscape could also lend itself to fantastic visual effects that the DCEU has never seen before.
Next: The Best Superman: 5 Reasons It's Henry Cavill (& 5 It's Still Christopher Reeve)