James Gunn’s Superman Revives Franchise Amid Henry Cavill Controversy

James Gunn's 2025 film Superman has sparked widespread discussion, earning strong critical and audience acclaim with scores of 83% and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively. Experts Edward Gross and Robert Greenberger praised Gunn's portrayal for capturing the true spirit of Superman, emphasizing his desire to save all lives and highlighting moments where the character shows care for even the smallest beings, a contrast to Zack Snyder's Man of Steel which was criticized for excessive destruction and a lack of such nuance. Marvel chief Kevin Feige also expressed admiration for the film and lead actor David Corenswet, noting a mutual influence between Marvel and Gunn's work. However, Gunn has openly criticized DC Studios' mishandling of Henry Cavill's exit from the role, describing the public announcement of Cavill's return as poorly managed and sympathizing with the actor's difficult situation. Despite some critiques of pacing and imperfections, the new Superman film is regarded as a faithful and refreshing adaptation that revitalizes the franchise while respecting its legacy.