“A new Superman movie?? In this economy??” I say to myself as James Gunn releases his masterpiece version of the world’s fiction idol, Superman. In doing so, he invited hardcore cinephiles and comic book nerds to take part in an active debate. In one corner, we have the infamous James Gunn, the maestro of misfits, the king of sarcasm, the man who gave a talking rodent more emotion than half of Hollywood. In the other corner, I present to you, Zack Snyder, the creator of slow-motion cinematics, the architect of epic visuals, and preferably the only person who could make Superman moodier than an average teenager. Grab your snacks and prepare yourself for the directorial showdown of the millennium, James Gunn versus Zack Snyder.

Let’s firstly talk about the more relevant and latest director, James Gunn. Since the mid-1990s, James Gunn has worked on numerous films, blending irreverent humour with heart-to-heart moments that could make a grown man cry. His career took off in 2021 with the release of Suicide Squad, having perfectly cast a DC movie, using flawless cinematography, all within an adequate budget. This guy’s onto something (trust). He’s been in the DCU system for a WHILE now, having directed Peacemaker, Suicide Squad 1 and 2, even a spinoff horror version of Superman called Brightburn. He’s now co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios, and it’s safe to say the DCU is in for something entirely new.

Gunn has been passionate about making fictional movies since he was 12, when he and his brother would make short films in the woods, inspired by classics like Dawn of the Dead or Friday the 13th. His questionable childhood hobbies showcase his passion and devotion to this field. Fast forward to today, Gunn is still assembling teams, only now they’re less likely to be his ketchup-covered siblings and more likely to be Hollywood’s finest.

Enough about the new interpretation of Superman, let’s talk about the one who started it all, Zack Snyder. Snyder is an American director known for his visually striking, often dark-toned science fiction films, including Dawn of the Dead, Watchmen, and his work on the DC Extended Universe, particularly Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League. He is often regarded as the architect of the modern DCU, having established what is now known as the Snyderverse, a collection of DC films directed by him. Despite working within the constraints of an underdeveloped cinematic universe, Snyder managed to build a base for DC’s film legacy.

Snyder’s passion for filmmaking ignited early; his mother was an artist who encouraged him from a young age to tap into his creative side. Snyder, being a mama’s boy, armed himself with a camera and began shooting films long before film schools were a thing. He put in the effort and perfected his skills to become a director. Before jumping into feature films, Snyder cut (pun intended) his teeth on commercials and music videos to give him the experience he needed to pursue this full-time.  

Given their history and experience, both directors know what they’re doing, and they’ve got the receipts to prove it. However, in true internet fashion, every take needs to be dissected, memed, and argued over until the end of time. Since there’s no escaping the opinions, might as well jump in, starting off with the original, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.

Snyder brought to life complex concepts such as the Mother Boxes and their collector, Steppenwolf. He also introduced audiences to Darkseid, arguably one of the most formidable villains in comic book history. By incorporating these characters and storylines, Snyder helped to establish the fundamental elements of the DC universe on screen. His strengths lie in his commanding visuals, thoughtful casting, and commitment to comic accuracy, making him a pivotal figure in shaping the DCU’s direction. With Snyder’s cinematic vision, DC’s future was placed on a promising path.

Furthermore, his first DC movie, Man of Steel, introduced Superman to the world. Snyder grounded it with realism by exploring Clark Kent’s alienation, moral uncertainty, and struggle for identity. He added a touch of mythology into his film by representing Superman as a modern-day messiah, balancing divine power with human invulnerability. Snyder worked on every aspect that he could have in the film; he focused greatly on Clark Kent’s relationship with his Earth parents, humanizing Superman by adding a sense of uncertainty to his character, and exploring politics. Snyder even managed to tackle the concept of martyrdom and resurrection.

However, the Man of Steel wasn’t exactly portrayed as a hero, but more as a deconstruction of what he is in the comics. Snyder tackles the DCEU in a more realistic manner. In his attempt to direct this, he went a little overboard and made his version of Superman an aurafarming God, making SURE that Cavill looked hot as he flew past collapsing buildings. Snyder thought it best to use crying families and children trapped under rubble to add a dramatic flair, but all it truly did was ruin Superman’s reputation.

By comparison, Snyder’s Superman mainly focused on epic visuals and cinematography; James Gunn, however, flips the script entirely. He focuses on the story and gives Superman emotions and an actual background. Naturally, when it was announced that he’d be tackling Superman, fans braced themselves for a wild ride. However, I think it’s safe to say that he did NOT disappoint. Gunn managed to perfectly cast a team that could reenact the true essence of Superman, his friends, and villains. He added all necessary elements to make his film enjoyable while also making sure it doesn’t derail from the story, and on top of all that, he promoted world peace. Not bad for a guy who started out chasing his brother around with a fake chainsaw.

​James Gunn made a comically accurate version of Superman and won everyone’s hearts (except Cavill glazers, who don’t have the critical thinking skills to like a movie for its story, smh). He made it as an introduction to DC itself so that we don’t have to spend hours cramming through movies and series to catch up with the story. Thanks to him, anyone can enjoy the film, be it a 10-year-old child or your 86-year-old grandparent.

David Corenswet, the one who plays Superman in the latest movie, brought to life the most perfect reenactment of Superman. A symbol of hope, the big blue boy scout, the guy who’s on EVERYBODY’S hear me out cake. He perfectly animated key moments and details from the comics, such as Superman’s healing process, his emotions regarding his identity, or the fact that Superman doesn’t let anyone or anything die as he swoops in and saves a literal squirrel.

One notable similarity between the two directors is their ability to expand the cinematic landscape, unlocking fresh possibilities for future DC films. Each director’s vision stands on its own, yet both invite intriguing crossovers; imagine Gunn’s Superman teaming up with Robert Pattinson’s Batman, or Snyder’s Superman appearing in an Injustice-inspired storyline. There’s also the potential for bold new narratives, from exploring the Bizarro World to finally bringing the iconic villain Brainiac to the screen.

In conclusion, what truly sets these portrayals apart is how comically accurate they individually are. Gunn was eager to bring the All-Star Superman to life, whereas Snyder wanted to add a slight touch of suspense to his films, and this slight change led to a whole different lens through which we viewers see Superman. Snyder sure has a lot of potential with the universe he created, but when it comes to who portrayed Superman better, Gunn is clearly the winner of this super feud.