Superman’s moral stance on killing has been a subject of intense debate for years.
Henry Cavill’s version of the iconic hero in the DCEU was forced into a tough decision when he killed General Zod in Man of Steel to save innocent lives. But with the rebooted DCU, with David Corenswet taking on the role, will Superman’s stance on killing be the same?
Corenswet’s Superman represents a shift from the darker, more grounded version seen in Zack Snyder’s films. This new iteration is more hopeful, showing a Superman who cares deeply for all forms of life, from humans to aliens to animals. But the question remains: would he ever kill?
In a recent interview with Wired, Corenswet gave a response that’s in line with the character’s longstanding principles. “I think the main reason is that he sees the good in just about everybody, maybe to a fault,” Corenswet explained. “He even sees the good in those trying to do him harm.”
James Gunn, the DCU’s architect, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I believe he believes in a basic right to life. That’s [killing someone] just not in him.” However, Gunn also acknowledged that this Superman could kill if the situation called for it. “If, for instance, he had to kill to protect somebody’s life, he would probably do that, even though that would be hard for him.”
While the question of whether Superman would kill remains, there’s a scene in the new Superman movie that hints at this possibility. During an intense battle between Superman and Ultraman-a clone created by Lex Luthor-Superman doesn’t kill his adversary, but rather throws him into a black hole. This leaves room for theories suggesting Ultraman could return as Bizarro, a character with a connection to Superman’s dark side.
Despite this, Gunn’s comments suggest that future DCU films could see Superman take the same path as Cavill’s version, following in Snyder’s footsteps. The death of Zod was a pivotal moment in the DCEU, sparking intense fan discussion. If Corenswet’s Superman ever faces a similar dilemma, it would likely lead to another divisive moment in the franchise.
Director Zack Snyder himself has explained why he chose for Superman to kill Zod in Man of Steel, saying that Zod wasn’t open to negotiation and that it was either him or them. “If Superman can’t handle that position, then he’s fake,” Snyder argued. “He’s got to address the scenarios that come to him.” In Snyder’s view, Superman’s humanity is strengthened by the tough choices he makes, no matter how dark they may seem.
Will Gunn’s Superman be put in such a position in future films? Only time will tell. With the upcoming Supergirl movie and the promise of a Justice League film featuring Batman and Wonder Woman, the future of Superman and his moral code remains an exciting mystery.
In any case, the new Superman film has already been a success, grossing $217 million globally during its opening weekend. With a strong domestic opening of $122 million, it has become the highest-grossing solo Superman film in North America, not adjusted for inflation.