Steven Spielberg Opens up About His All-Time Favorite Superhero Film
Steven Spielberg has long been vocal about his reservations regarding the modern dominance of comic book blockbusters. He famously likened the superhero craze to the cinematic cycles of the past, suggesting that these films have a finite time in popular culture.
Specifically, he once remarked that the genre would eventually go the way of the western, reflecting on how even the most dominant trends eventually fade into the background of film history.
Despite this cautious outlook, the director of Jurassic Park has not withheld his praise for certain standout projects that defy industry tropes. While he has previously tipped his hat to classic interpretations like Richard Donner’s Superman and Jon Favreau’s original Iron Man, Spielberg revealed that the movie that impressed me the most was James Gunn’s 2014 hit Guardians of the Galaxy.
He lauded the space-faring adventure for its lack of cynicism or fear of being dark when needed, specifically appreciating that the film didn’t take itself too seriously. Spielberg’s preference for Gunn’s work likely stems from his personal philosophy on what constitutes a compelling protagonist.
He makes a distinct comparison between heroes and superheroes, noting that he finds a more personal connection in the former. To Spielberg, a hero is an ordinary person who is faced with a serious fact and acts to modify it, such as a bystander rushing toward a burning car to save someone.
In contrast, he views a superhero as a figure who would use extraordinary physical strength to simply turn it upside down and shake it until the passenger falls out. This preference for grounded, human vulnerability is a recurring theme throughout his filmography.
Even when his characters face massive, prehistoric threats, his protagonists remain deeply rooted in the human realm, relying on their wits and courage rather than mystical powers.
Looking toward the summer of this year, Steven Spielberg is returning to the high-concept sci-fi genre that he helped pioneer. His upcoming project, officially titled Disclosure Day, is set to hit theaters on June 12. The film features a star-studded cast including Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, and Colman Domingo.
Billed as a massive UFO event film, it reportedly reunites Spielberg with Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp to tell an original story about the global impact of first contact. James Gunn, the director who earned Spielberg’s rare superhero endorsement, is currently spearheading a total relaunch of the DC Universe.
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