Clark Kent’s double life returns, balancing his private existence on Earth with his exploits in the red cape: in a single word, Superman 2025. The superhero par excellence premiered in cinemas on July 9th. Directed by James Gunn, who, during the months of the film’s production, subtly hinted that his Man of Steel would be closer to the DC Comics character, more human and less polished than his predecessors. The film boasts a budget of $225 million.

Gunn and the New Superman

A gentle knight, far from the malice and irony of the current world, explained Gunn. Kal-El, Superman’s first name from Krypton, opposes all of this. “A serious superhero who embraces the best of humanity and offers hope”, concludes the American director, a great fan and connoisseur of animated films and characters with superpowers.

The Cast

Having overcome the awkwardness with Henry Cavill, who was difficult to inform that he would no longer be the new Superman, Gunn announced that David Corenswet was chosen for the role of Clark Kent, a young 25-year-old in the film. The indispensable Lois Lane, Daily Planet journalist, colleague, and special companion of the superhero, is played by Rachel Brosnahan. Lex Luthor was entrusted to Nicholas Hoult. Also in the cast are Mister Terrific, portrayed by Edi Gathegi, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. Two other characters with superpowers enhance the cast: Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Green Lantern, with actor Nathan Fillion.

The Soundtrack

James Gunn used no uncertain terms to define his Superman 2025 as a “great science fiction film, the essence of Superman“. For this reason, he wanted an overwhelming, epic, and emotional soundtrack. But with something more. Something that, like the American director’s vision for the superhero model, musically reflects Gunn’s passion for punk rock.

Gunn’s Request to Murphy and Fleming

Different styles intertwine in an evocative tracklist. A mixed sound of mythology, hard and melancholic electric guitar. And, precisely, punk rock nuances. The soundtrack, 33 tracks, was entrusted to two certainties in terms of expert musical composers. The first is John Murphy, with whom the American director has already worked on The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy.

The second is David Fleming, who has frequently collaborated with Hans Zimmer, to give an idea. His most recent success is his signature on the soundtrack of the post-apocalyptic television series The Last of Us. From the outset, the director’s request to the duo was precise: “To pay homage to John Williams’ famous anthem, Superman March, a kind of Holy Grail for the superhero from Krypton.

The Soundtrack Style

Aware of a hypothetical musical sacrilege, the duo worked tirelessly to avoid it. Murphy was the first to pick up the electric guitar. He tried different versions, one more gothic, another closer to Radiohead’s melody. Gunn made it clear that more needed to be done. The solution came while watching the first teaser. It wasn’t about distorting but getting closer to Williams’ original.

The first notes, featuring electric guitar and synth, were enough, a style reminiscent of Hendrix’s classic notes. The magic was complete. The melancholic start, the level rising to the final explosion: pure adrenaline. Fleming then completed the work, uniting the melody with the film’s scenes, all in a modern key.

Tracks Linked to Characters

On the other tracks in the album, each character has their style. The music accompanies the protagonists; it doesn’t just describe their actions, for better or worse. The pair of composers involved several Silicon Valley “nerds” specializing in new technologies.

Among the tracks, a mix of guitars with tuners and sound design, featuring editing, sound effects, gospel choirs, and complex mixing, emerges. Special mention goes to Iggy Pop‘s version of the song Punkrocker. His version made the song, created by the Swedish group Teddybears, famous.

Where there’s Gunn, there must be traces of Mighty Crabjoys, a punk band that doesn’t exist in reality but only in the imagination of the US director and DC Comics. It’s also Superman’s favorite band. Fleming compared the soundtrack to a puzzle of a large, complex landscape. Putting the pieces together was not an easy task.