As the DC Universe prepares to embark on a fresh chapter under the guidance of James Gunn, enthusiasm abounds. Amidst the anticipation, the dissatisfaction in people is evident. The decision to retain Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, while other significant stars have bid farewell to the franchise, stands at the very core of it. Now that the cat is out of the bag the director is working on Superman: Legacy, which revolves around arguably the most hated superhero of the franchise. It has sparked concerns about a potentially turbulent beginning for the new chapter envisioned by the masses.
Though it might be a surprising revelation, it remains a fact that even though the superhero has been a financial success, certain studies have positioned this character at the bottom of the likability spectrum.
Superman Has Been Voted to Be the Most Hated Superhero in DC
Based on a comprehensive analysis that delved into the average Rotten Tomatoes ratings of different installments within the franchise, Superman emerges with a rather modest average score of 48 percent topping the most hated chart. According to Money.co.uk, the study was based on:
“For movies, we looked at all films which fall under each franchise, including subseries within a larger franchise (for example the likes of The Avengers, Iron Man and Captain America within the Marvel Cinematic Universe) and reboots of series (for example we took all the Spider-Man movies as one franchise, including those played by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland).”
Although Justice League was not taken into account, the other Superman movies made the triumph of Superman: The Movie, with a 94 percent rating look very small and insignificant. Movies such as Superman III, clocking in at a mere 30 percent, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, plummeting to a nominal 11 percent. All in all, it did not look for the superhero catapulting him into the number one position on the most hated list.
According to the study,
Top 5 most hated superhero movie franchises
- 1. Superman: 48 percent
- 2. Batman: 59 percent
- 3. DC Extended Universe: 59 percent
- 4. Wolverine: 67 percent
- 5. X-Men: 67 percent
Thus, James Gunn’s work on Superman: Legacy, has brought on many questions and doubts among the people really compelling them to think if it at all was a good idea to begin with. With each passing day, the project has become the subject of endless speculation. From the moment fans learned that Henry Cavill’s reign as Superman was over, and the mantle of Clark Kent was to be taken up by David Corenswet, James Gunn has been actively addressing a multitude of queries and apprehensions. Only time will tell if the project can bump the superhero up in the likeability list.
Also Read: Not Henry Cavill’s Superman, James Gunn Needs to Bring Back 12 Things to Save DCU
What to Expect From James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy?
Arriving as the spectacle in the fresh lineup, Superman: Legacy is set for a worldwide debut on July 11, 2025. This cinematic masterpiece will showcase the narrative of Superman’s odyssey, as he navigates the world. Marking James Gunn’s triumphant return to the director’s chair since assuming the cape of co-head at DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, this visionary film will start Superman fresh.
Gunn has also recently confirmed a captivating twist by introducing the likes of Green Lantern – Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific into the symphony of characters that will shape this immersive journey. Although voted the most hated character, it cannot be denied that the superhero is the face of the DC, and has been since the very beginning.
The films in the past involving the superhero have been polarizing, to say the least, and thus, Gunn wants to change that narrative once and for all. People are hoping it to be a success as well. While it will not be an origin story, this film is anticipated to wield the power to rejuvenate the superhero’s narrative trajectory.
Source: Money.Co.UK (via Movie Web)
