TheSupermanreboot film is finally here, and it’s going a long way toward revitalizing the Man of Steel in the wake of the DCEU. DC Comics is on the precipice of a potentially transformative new chapter, asGuardians of the Galaxydirector James Gunn has stepped into the mastermind role, planning exciting reboots of several different DC properties, not justSuperman.
According to Gunn, this next chapter won’t be limited to the silver screen. In aDC Comics blog post, Gunn stated that upcoming DC projects will “all intertwine within the same universe,” regardless of their medium, and this includes video games. Gunn has also stated that actors from the new DC films will reprise their roles in “other things,” suggesting that there could be a great deal of synergy between film, animation, gaming, and other creative endeavors, to the point where they can all be considered part of the same franchise. This means that the widely celebrated new face of Superman, David Corenswet, could have repeat performances inSupermanvideo games, which may come with some important pros and cons.
Should David Corenswet Reprise His Role in a Superman Video Game?
David Corenswet Would Make Future Superman Games More Consistent with the Films
There was once a time when just about every major blockbuster seemed to get some sort of video game tie-in. Such games were molded around the plots of their respective films, and sometimes even featured the same actors—Tobey Maguire’s role inSpider-Man 2’s video game adaptationis perhaps the most famous example of this.
But things are different now, and with video games being more widely accepted as equal to film as a storytelling medium, they can tell more original narratives that go beyond the scope of their source material. ADavid Corenswet Superman gamewould be able to flesh out the character via side adventures, or even stories that take place between films, offering further insight into Gunn’s burgeoning DC universe. By keeping David Corenswet in the leading role, these games would be like extensions of the DC Comics movies, putting them on par with these blockbusters and creating a more comprehensive fictional universe.
Bringing Back Corenswet for a Superman Game Would Come with a Lot of Strings
One of the reasons why theMarvel’s Spider-Mangames work so well is that they operate within their own continuity, with their own set of rules: Insomniac has more or less free rein when it comes to what characters and concepts it wants to include in its games, as well as how these concepts and characters are presented. If, as Gunn says, any futureSupermangames are directly linked to the film series, then they would not be afforded such freedom.
This can have direct consequences, like not being able to pit players against certain villains due to their current or future status in the film continuity, but also more subtle ones, like hog-tying the games toCorenswet’s depiction of Superman.
There are also more practical matters that would need to be addressed. Video games are getting more and more expensive to produce, and superhero games likeMarvel’s Bladeare proving especially costly. With Corenswet becoming a rising star in the film industry thanks to theSupermanfilm, his inclusion in aSupermanvideo game could come with a hefty price tag, potentially to the detriment of the game’s other elements.
