Comic book legend Todd McFarlane explains what James Gunn's the DCU's first chapter already containing at least twelve projects and a ten-year plan in development, it's Superman's mission to make a good first impression on the big screen.

Image Comics president and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane speaks to Screen Rant about the importance of getting Superman right in the DCU. McFarlane emphasizes how important it is for Gunn and the DCU to update the character for modern audiences while retaining all the qualities that made him an icon for various generations of comic book readers. The artist calls Superman a "classic boy scout" and a "perfect superhero" who could appear to "a 20-year-old today" as much as to "all of us that were born in the 1900s." Read Todd McFarlane's full comments below:

Screen Rant: What do you think James Gunn needs to do to make a successful Superman movie?

I have no insight into any of their conversations, but if I was sitting at the table, the thing that would be the hardest to do – and the thing that I think needs to be done, even though I have no idea how you'd do it – is how do you take a character that's been around so long… So long that not only does your mom know about it, but your grandparents know about it, and make a character that your grandparents used to know relevant today? That's hard because there's a stigma of like, “That's Mom and Dad stuff. We’ve got cool hip stuff over here.” How do you make Mickey Mouse relevant to kids today when you have Buzz Lightyear?

I don't know what the answer is, right? There's new, sexier characters that come along.

Superman is this classic boy scout, perfect superhero. What do you have to modify to get a 20-year-old today who wasn't even born in the 1900s – they were born this century – That's it. If you can do that, then that Big S in that word Superman is going to appeal to all of us that were born in the 1900s. That's it. That would be the goal I would give. I’d go, “Okay, James, now do that,” and hope that they come back and give you some great ideas behind it. So, we'll see.

What Todd McFarlane's Superman Movie Comments Mean

Superman's Biggest Challenge Is The Many Possible Ways He Can Be Modernized

Marvel and DC have transformed the superhero genre into the most successful phenomenon in Hollywood history. Former B-list and C-list comic book characters like Wong, Werewolf by Night, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Polka-Dot Man, Peacemaker, and the Suicide Squad have become A-list stars in the MCU and the DCEU. Yet, Superman hasn't claimed his spot as the most famous superhero of all time on the big screen despite Henry Cavill's optimal casting in the DCEU. With dozens of characters constantly stealing the show in Marvel and DC projects every year, Superman needs a top-notch outing in order to reclaim his status.

As Todd McFarlane explains, Superman is the "perfect superhero" — the archetypal comic book hero that has inspired countless spins on the original concept. Hence, a straightforward adaptation of Superman's classic material may not be as appealing to mass audiences now as it was in the 1970s, when Christopher Reeve's Superman flew on screen for the first time. However, putting too many bold twists on the Man of Steel could remove the pure "boy scout" quality that makes Superman unique. Modernizing Superman is a matter of careful balance.

Our Take On Todd McFarlane's Superman Movie Comments

James Gunn's Superman Seems To Be On Track To Deliver A Proper Superman Story

Superman's official poster and images, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, have dropped hints to the kind of superhero movie the DCU's first big-screen project will be. David Corenswet's Superman apparently will get beaten up and earn the love of Metropolis through hard effort. Superman's innate authenticity will likely be a fresh change of pace when compared to the corporate nature of other established DCU superheroes. Elements like Metropolis' anachronistic look and Krypto the Superdog's big-screen debut will also help James Gunn's Superman achieve the lighthearted feel of Superman's classic stories.

DC Movie Releases

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  Superman

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  Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

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  The Batman Part II

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