James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film takes a fresh approach by skipping the traditional retelling of the Man of Steel’s origin story. Instead, it opens with a concise exposition that reveals Kal-El has been on Earth for 30 years and has been recognized as the world’s most powerful superhero for the past three years. Notably, this film sets the stage for a rebooted DC Universe where metahumans have been known for 300 years.
In DC Comics, metahumans are typically humans with a special gene that grants superpowers, usually activated in extreme conditions. Unlike Marvel’s mutants, who often discover their abilities during puberty, DC’s metahumans can manifest their powers after facing significant stress or exposure to dark matter. Gunn’s broader interpretation includes not only Superman—a Kryptonian—but also anyone exhibiting superhuman abilities.
In this newly envisioned DCU, metahumans are not a frightening novelty; instead, they have become akin to celebrities. The decision to place their emergence 300 years ago may stem from Gunn’s narrative preference for grouping events in threes. For example, Superman’s involvement in a recent war in Boravia, his budding romance with Lois Lane, and his latest battle all fit into a triad. This timeline opens doors for familiar DC characters to exist in this narrative without disrupting continuity.
Historically, metahumans in DC Comics date back thousands of years, with iconic figures like Vandal Savage—who gained immortality from a meteorite exposure some 50,000 years ago—and characters like Black Adam and Wonder Woman. The 300-year timeframe planned for Gunn’s DCU could very well accommodate longstanding characters from the comics, even if they aren’t overtly acknowledged right away.
Among the earliest metahumans in Gunn’s universe, we meet Creature Commandos’ Eric Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein, who are approximately 200 years old. This temporal setting provides a unique opportunity for Gunn to explore narratives free from the constraints of traditional comic canon.
As the story unfolds, fans are left wondering how metahumans first revealed themselves 300 years ago, and which heroes or villains Gunn may choose to further flesh out this expansive timeline. The emphasis on metahumans’ longstanding place in society hints at a rich narrative potential within the DC Universe, making it an exciting horizon for both filmmakers and audiences alike.