A horde of local Superman fans, comic book aficionados and pop culture geeks have been in a state of bliss since June 19. Director James Gunn, actors David Corenswet (Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) kicked off a seven city Superman World Tour in Manila. The movie which had a special premiere last Monday and started screening a bit past midnight Tuesday has gotten fans absolutely giddy.
Superman season kcked off with a drone show the night of June 18 at the Bridgetowne Open Grounds. The next morning, thousands of people lined up before 6 a.m. to welcome Gunn, Corenswet, Brosnahan and producer Peter Safran by forming a huge Superman symbol before lunch time. Most wore blue Superman shirts and a red cape, many were in costume. By afternoon a lot of the same fans headed over to the other side of town at the Mall of Asia Music Hall for a fan event which had fireworks and rousing performance of the theme music courtesy of the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Chants of “Su-per-man! Su-per-man” followed Gunn and company as they negotiated the crowds. People waited several hours to get their books, toys and collectibles signed, to shake hands and do photo ops. After that, a lucky bunch was treated to 30 minutes of footage from the film. As Gunn introduced the preview footage, he told the audience (which included international press), “This is a movie about goodness, about hope. There’s so much bitterness, so much anger in the world. This is about a guy that’s different from that.” And honestly, isn’t that what we need now?
At the next morning’s press conference, Gunn talked about how he fell in love with Superman comics when he was three or four years old. He clarifies this movie is not an origin story, he truly jumps right into the action.
He said, “I saw Superman in a world of superheroes, with friends who are superheroes, the Daily Planet gang, and a flying dog and giant monsters… I want to re-create that feeling I had as a young child in a film that both children and adults can enjoy.”
Even if it takes place in a world from comic books, he adds, “It is still grounded with real stakes, real people who have issues, problems, relationships, flaws, things they want to change about themselves, things they don’t want to change about themselves because they’re stubborn…” After which he coughs in Corenswet’s direction.
The new and much awaited Superman film is full of thrills, vibrance and levity. Juilliard graduate David Corenswet is more than up to the task, lovable Nicholas Hoult succeeds in getting us to despise him as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is the type of woman and journalist Gunn describes as “ten steps ahead” of the game. And for people who love dogs, this Superman movie has lots and lots of Krypto.
So, yes: hope, goodness and dog.
George Salire who was in the audience for the premiere was enthusiastic: “I was very happy. This is the Superman movie I’ve been waiting to see for a long time.” He already had tickets for a second viewing.
As director Gunn told the press, “A joy in my life to be able to bring Superman to the screen this way.”
James Gunn’s “Superman,” the first outing for the new DC Studios, is now showing in cinemas and at the IMAX.
Be the first to comment