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How did James Gunn’s Superman aim to change the tone of recent Superman movies?

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Christopher Reeve as Superman in a blue suit with red cape and yellow belt, flying with one arm forward against a dark background in a publicity still from Superman: The Movie. — Superman Christopher Reeve in *Superman* (1978), directed by Richard Donner.

James Gunn’s 2025 film Superman aimed to shift the tone of the character’s recent cinematic appearances by moving away from the dark, gritty depictions found in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) of the 2010s.12

To achieve this, Gunn’s approach focused on several key elements:

Optimism and Levity: The film utilized a bright color palette and incorporated humor and levity to contrast with the somber tone of previous entries like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.12
Sincerity and Humanity: Gunn was praised for providing a true-to-the-comics treatment of the character, imbuing Superman with a sense of sincerity and humanity that had been largely absent in recent on-screen portrayals.1
Character Focus: By emphasizing these traits, the film sought to redefine the hero for a new cinematic era, establishing a fresh sensibility for the newly created DC Universe (DCU).1