When the world feels especially heavy, it’s often pop culture—sometimes in the form of a red-caped superhero—that offers a glimmer of hope. This summer, James Gunn’s new Superman film has soared into the spotlight, not only as a blockbuster but as a beacon of what some analysts have dubbed “poptimism”: the persistent optimism in pop culture that shines through even in the bleakest times. As the world grapples with uncertainty and escalating turmoil, audiences are flocking to theaters for a taste of hope, truth, and justice, all wrapped up in the familiar blue-and-red suit of the Man of Steel.
According to a commentary published by Richard Coe on August 8, 2025, in The Bulletin, the release of Gunn’s Superman couldn’t have come at a better time. Coe writes, “Amid all of this turmoil, with humanity seemingly at one of its lowest points, we could really use a Superman in our lives. In fact, we’ve never yearned for such a person to be real as much as we do now.” It’s a sentiment that resonates far beyond the silver screen. The new Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet, is depicted not as a grim avenger but as a force of light—stopping wars, rescuing children (and the occasional squirrel), and taking down a bald, technocratic billionaire whose villainous persona feels eerily familiar in today’s world.
This shift toward optimism isn’t limited to the DC Universe. Hot on the heels of Superman’s return, Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to debut, promising another dose of superheroic hope. The film pits Marvel’s First Family against Galactus, the cosmic devourer of worlds—an antagonist that, as Coe notes, could be interpreted as a metaphor for climate change. It’s a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, hope remains a central theme.
But this bright new era in superhero storytelling stands in stark contrast to recent years, when darkness and cynicism ruled the genre. Shows like “The Boys” and “Invincible” have leaned into satire and violence, exposing the flaws and failings of their super-powered protagonists. Even Superman himself wasn’t immune: Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” presented a more somber, conflicted hero, capped off by a controversial neck-snapping climax. As Coe observes, “In the recent past, superheroes on the big and small screen have tended to be quite dark and cynical, perhaps as a contrary response to the ‘hope and change’ Barack Obama era.”
Now, however, the pendulum has swung back toward optimism. Gunn’s Superman is a return to the hero’s roots: a champion of truth, justice, and, in a recent update to the character’s iconic motto, a better tomorrow. As the commentary highlights, “Truth. Seems in short supply these days, right? Lying and dishonesty are the name of the game, not only when you hear a politician open their mouth but in the workplace, too. We could all do with quite a bit more honesty, even when it hurts.” The film’s message is clear—if we want a better world, we can start by embodying these values ourselves, even in small ways.
Warner Bros. seems eager to build on this momentum. As reported by Nerdist on August 8, 2025, James Gunn is already hard at work on a follow-up, described by the studio as a “Superman Family” project. The phrase isn’t just marketing fluff—it’s a nod to decades of DC Comics history, where the Superman Family has grown to include not just Superman, but Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, Superboy, and more. Since the Silver Age of comics, the Man of Steel’s extended family has offered readers a vision of unity and support, even in the face of cosmic threats.
The next chapter could see this concept brought to life on the big screen. Milly Alcock, who made a cameo as Supergirl in Gunn’s Superman, is slated to headline her own solo film in 2026. There’s speculation that the new movie could be a team-up, with Supergirl joining forces with Superman and, of course, Krypto. But that’s just the start. Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, has expressed interest in portraying Lois as Superwoman—a role the character has occasionally taken on in the comics. “She was recently saving lives as Superwoman as of a few months ago, in the pages of DC Comics,” Nerdist notes. Brosnahan has reportedly been lobbying Gunn to explore this superpowered version of Lois, even if only temporarily.
The Superman Family doesn’t end there. The comics have introduced Jon Kent, Superman and Lois’s half-Kryptonian son, who has at times taken up the mantle of Superman himself. There’s also Superboy, or Conner Kent—a teenage clone created from Superman’s and Lex Luthor’s DNA. In Gunn’s film, Lex Luthor’s cloning experiments are already hinted at, suggesting the groundwork is laid for Conner’s introduction. “What if Superman discovers a teenage Superboy in LuthorCorps’ cold storage unit, and adopts him?” Nerdist speculates. It’s a tantalizing prospect for fans, and one that would cement the idea of a true superhero family at the heart of the DC Universe.
All this talk of family isn’t just confined to the comics or the big-budget productions in Hollywood. Sometimes, the spirit of Superman finds its way into the most unexpected places. According to the Fort Scott Tribune, local Bourbon County residents Tom and Pat Christy played a unique role in the new Superman movie, which premiered on July 11, 2025. Through a connection with their son Richard—known to fans of the “Howard Stern Show”—the Christys were asked if their voices could be studied through multiple phone calls to help the actors nail authentic Kansas accents for Pa and Ma Kent. It’s a small but meaningful contribution, one that grounds the film in real-world authenticity and highlights the collaborative nature of modern moviemaking.
In a world where real-life leadership often seems lacking, pop culture heroes like Superman offer more than just escapism. As Coe puts it, “In the yawning void that is the absence of Superman in our own world, and in between forays into fiction where he exists, it behooves us to act more like Superman in our own little corners of the world.” Whether it’s through blockbuster movies, comic books, or the voices of everyday Kansans, the message remains the same: truth, justice, and a better tomorrow aren’t just for superheroes. They’re values anyone can strive for, no matter where they come from or what powers they possess.
As audiences await the next chapter in Gunn’s Superman saga, one thing is clear—the world may not have a real Superman, but it has stories, families, and communities that keep the spirit of hope alive, one act of kindness and courage at a time.
