James Gunn Says Corenswet’s Superman Will Be Weaker Than Cavill’s: “I Didn’t Want a Superman Who Could Punch Planets”

James Gunn is making it clear: the new Superman won’t be the all-powerful, unstoppable force many fans are used to. As director and writer of the upcoming Superman film, Gunn has revealed that this version of the Man of Steel, played by David Corenswet, will show more weakness, both physically and emotionally.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn explained that he wanted Superman to feel more grounded and vulnerable. He believes this shift will make the character more relatable and help create a balanced universe where other heroes can shine too.

“I wanted Superman to be vulnerable,” Gunn said, adding that some aspects of the character are left intentionally unexplained to maintain mystery.

Unlike previous portrayals, like Henry Cavill’s strong and almost unbeatable Superman in the DCEU, or Christopher Reeve’s near-mythical take, Corenswet’s version won’t be able to do everything. Gunn wants to move away from over-the-top feats and bring Superman closer to the rest of the DC heroes.

He pointed out that if Superman is too powerful, then other characters, like a winged hero or a Green Lantern, might seem pointless in comparison. Gunn wants a world where everyone has a chance to matter. “So he’s a little less powerful,” he explained. “They’re all pretty powerful.”

Gunn also commented on the endless debates fans have online about which superhero would win in a fight. He said these arguments miss the point of storytelling.

“I see the online things ‘Who would beat whom?’ — Homelander or Superman or f***** whatever… and I’m like, ‘This is the f****** stupidest f****** conversation,’”* Gunn said. He joked that if it was really about winning fights, he’d just make a character called God Man who ends everything with a wink. “And I win. I win all the fights forever. But I didn’t want a Superman who could punch planets.”

Another reason for the change comes from how fans talk about Batman. Gunn said many people tell him they prefer Batman because he’s beatable, and that stuck with him. “So we have a Superman that can be beat,” he said.

Despite all this talk of less power, Corenswet’s Superman won’t be weak. He’ll still have signature abilities like flying, heat vision, and X-ray vision. Gunn just doesn’t want these powers to make him feel distant or impossible to relate to. A recent tie-in comic already shows Superman using his X-ray vision to help save people, a skill not often highlighted in earlier films.

The new movie, set to release on July 11, 2025, also brings in several other DC characters. Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult will take on Lex Luthor, and the cast will include heroes like Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, Mr. Terrific, and Metamorpho.

Gunn is clearly trying something different with this reboot. By making Superman more human and less of a god, he’s hoping to create a story where the character feels fresh again — not because of how strong he is, but because of what he stands for.

This could be a great change. Superman has often felt too powerful to connect with, and making him vulnerable could bring out a side we haven’t seen much of before. It’s a bold move, and it might upset some fans, but it could also breathe new life into a character who really needs it.

What do you think about a weaker Superman? Is this a good direction or a mistake? Share your thoughts in the comments below!