3 Superman Stories DC Might Adapt After Henry Cavill’s DCU Return

More than ever, the movie side of the DC Universe is gaining positive momentum. Fresh on the news that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been named co-CEOs of the new DC Studios, fans are buzzing about the future. This positive move comes after the electrifying news that Henry Cavill is indeed back as Superman. Taken together, these moves represent a significant shift in the DCU, and no one can predict exactly how all of this will play out at this point.

However, with Cavill’s return, The Last Son of Krypton seems to be reclaiming its rightful place at the top of the DC film list. It’s hard to believe, but even though Cavill has been playing the hero for almost a decade, he hasn’t been significantly involved in any new project with the character since justice league came out in 2017. (Zack Snyder’s Justice League doesn’t really count.) With that in mind, there’s so much untapped potential for Superman in the DCU.

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Even considering the quartet of films in which Christopher Reeves gave his iconic performance and Brandon Routh’s memorable role Superman returns, these films barely scratched the surface. A number of classic comic book stories could serve as excellent source material for Cavill’s Superman project(s), and looking at just three of them offers a glimpse of this wealth of possibilities.

All Star Superman

Perhaps it would be best to go back to basics. The Superman fans have seen it ever since man of Steel was criticized for being too dark and violent. Taking cues from one of the most popular Superman stories of all time could help put the character back on track and remind fans why he’s such an iconic hero. Grant Morrisons All Star Superman focuses on his death days; After being overexposed to the sun’s rays, he has one year to live. From there, the story plays out every hit, from Superman revealing his secret identity to Lois Lane teaming up with her to battle a giant monster.

The story also shows plenty of heart as Kal-El speaks to his father and engages in a climactic showdown with his nemesis Lex Luthor, with the villain weeping after seeing Superman’s vision for Earth. There is no happy ending here; Superman dies, so an adaptation would likely have to make a lot of changes to make room for future films. However, borrow All Star Superman could be a fitting way to showcase the main elements of the hero and his supporting cast while restoring the bright tone he is known for.

Superman: Brainiac

A new Superman movie is a good time to start fresh, so it might be better if it avoids returning to the same villains fans have seen before. General Zod and Lex Luther have already been introduced, but The Man of Steel has plenty of compelling antagonists to choose from. In the modern world, Brainiac might be the most compelling option. A cross between a brilliant alien and a cold, uncaring machine, Brainiac has changed a lot over the years, allowing for multiple versions of the character to choose from. In short, he is usually a sophisticated supercomputer that sometimes has ambitions for universal conquest. He also seeks universal knowledge, despite his characterization as a super genius, easily surpassing even the smartest people on the planet.

One of Superman’s classic villains, he has fought the hero many times, but Superman: Brainiac certainly packs a punch. Kal-El learns that Brainiac shrunk a Kryptonian city and was responsible for the deaths of scores of Kryptonians. Of course, Brainiac is aiming for Earth and it’s up to Superman and Supergirl to stop him. Despite being a standard hero vs alien story, this story carries a lot of weight and could also be a logical way to bring Supergirl into the DCU.

Superman: President Luthor

As mentioned, Luthor has appeared in several films as Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Jesse Eisenberg have played him over the years, not to mention Michael Rosenbaum’s television portrayal Kleinville. But there’s a reason the villain has so much staying power; He is the perfect counterpart to Superman. The motives behind his hatred of the hero have varied over the years, but more often than not it boils down to a battle between good and evil.

This fight can be amplified if the next Superman movie borrows from the “President Luthor” story. As the name suggests, Luthor becomes President of the United States and uses his power to make Superman’s life miserable. He also learns of Kal-El’s human identity and uses it against him, while also attempting to use an alien invasion to make himself appear like an all-powerful leader. With this story alone there are many possibilities; the DCU could keep it somewhat grounded and focus on President Luthor’s misdeeds on a national scale, or it could go as far as the alien battle mentioned above. Anyway, leaning on “President Luthor” would be a dynamic way forward that could cement Luthor as a hideous villain and shed a light on Superman’s patriotism.

These are just a few examples, and there are countless other Superman stories that could serve as a great basis for the hero’s return to the DCU. Whether it’s playing the hits, spotlighting a new villain, or reviving Superman’s nemesis, the possibilities are endless, and there’s good reason to think any number of them could help make “The Man of Steel” back into a beloved character.