Bringing Superman back to the screen in 2025 was not just about capes, fights, or saving the day. It was about reimagining a symbol that generations have held close. For James Gunn, the task was not simply crafting another superhero film, but reshaping one of the enduring legacies in comicverse cinema. And along the way, the director found himself confronting an obstacle he had not anticipated — a personal struggle with a character that he now admits nearly disrupted his latest Superman vision.

When the creative known for shaping galaxies set his sights on Earth’s greatest heroes, he did not expect the battle would begin long before the cameras rolled.

Writing the David Corenswet starrer Superman was not as straightforward a task as James Gunn expected it to be. Unlike the violent, rough-edged figures he is known for, whether it be Peacemaker or Rocket Raccoon, the 2025 Man of Steel demanded a completely different touch. “I struggled with the character,” Gunn confessed as he appeared on Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett’s SmartLess podcast a couple of days ago, explaining that Superman’s sensitivity and softness were unlike any traits he had tackled before. That contrast, notably, became the surprising challenge that tested his approach for the now superhit film.

For the record, Superman 2025, co-starring the aforementioned actor alongside Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan, received not only rave reviews from critics for doing justice to arguably the most beloved DC superhero after a very long time, but it also brought in exceptional commercial returns, with USD 596 million earned worldwide so far per Box Office Mojo. The movie’s success, unsurprisingly, has opened gates for more installments in the franchise, with James Gunn yet again at the helm. The director, however, has been playing coy about a direct sequel to the film in discussion.

'Superman', the “immigrant” Story, Claims James Gunn, Calling It a Story of "human kindness"

Pressed on Superman 2, James Gunn has been deliberately vague of late, fueling curiosity about Clark Kent’s cinematic journey forward.

James Gunn has fans buzzing by openly confirming he is writing the next chapter in the Superman saga, but he has not called the endeavor Superman 2 in any sense. In various interviews and on social media threads, the filmmaker has confirmed a sequel in spirit is underway, though he has declined to give it that traditional title. Warner Bros. Discovery is also on board with this game of hide-and-seek, with studio CEO David Zaslav referring to the next installment in the franchise as a “Super Family” movie. With all that has been said to date, a broader storytelling beyond a simple follow-up seems to be in the works.

As James Gunn, who once nearly quit directing movies, continues shaping the DC universe, his candid admission about Superman’s sensitivity being a creative challenge underscores the unique path ahead. At the same time, his coyness around a direct Superman 2 shows he is also intent on redefining what sequels can be, blending tradition with reinvention.

The Woke Superman Problem: When Did the Man of Steel Become a Man of Feelings?

What are your thoughts on James Gunn opening up about struggling to write a sensitive Superman? Let us know in the comments.