Critics and audiences agreed that Justice League. With a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's the DCEU's fourth best-reviewed film behind Wonder Woman, Shazam!, and Birds of Prey. The film ends on a cliffhanger that may never resolve, but it hints at a dystopian future where Superman succumbs to the anti-life equation.
While this is a provocative take on the character that could be deeply compelling, it could also be a miscalculation on DC's part. Superman's previous portrayal in the DCEU is divisive at best, with some resenting his overly stoic and borderline mute characterization. Taking him further into darkness could give him even more depth as a character, or it could be a point of no return.
Disaster: Give The Guy A Break!
Throughout his short but meaningful appearances in the DCEU, Superman has lost both his father-figures, his birth mother, his reputation, and ultimately his life. Every time he seems to be getting his act together, something derails his efforts. Unlike other superhero movies where the same happens, however, the DCEU's Superman never seems able to catch a break.
Bringing back to life only for him to become evil after yet another tragedy is the peak of exaggeration. At some point someone has to intervene, because this man-God is basically the DCEU's punching bag.
Could Work: Tonally Consistent With The DCEU
If there's one thing that's clear about the DCEU it's that it's dark, bleak, and ominous. In fact, many people joke about how dark it is. And while some of the more recent films tried to move away from this tone, the DCEU is still mostly seen as a decidedly dismal world.
A dystopian future ruled by a tyrant Superman fits perfectly with Zack Snyder's sensibilities. It doesn't seem out of place or even inconceivable. In fact, even without Lois Lane's death, the idea of Snyder's Superman as a force of evil wouldn't take much time to get used to.
Disaster: Far Too Dark To Root For
That being said, there comes a point when a character loses the audience's good graces. Kicking a puppy, killing a fan favorite, or doing something far too reprehensible to excuse are just some certain ways to lose the audience's favor.
Superman going full evil, destroying the world, seemingly killing Aquaman, and basically enslaving all of mankind might be a step too far. Even if Batman manages to stop him and/or redeem him, audiences might not be so quick to forget what he did and the character's reputation might be tarnished beyond repair.
Could Work: Injustice's Success
Evil Superman is not a new thing. In the 2013 video game Injustice, Superman's role is that of a murderous tyrant who rules over a new world order. The game and its sequel received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the gameplay and narrative.
Both Injustice and its sequel were commercial hits, with Injustice 2 being the ninth most successful game of 2017. With an established fanbase and critical , Snyder's idea for an evil Superman might not seem as farfetched as it seems.
Disaster: More A Plot Device Than A Character
Zack Snyder clearly sees Superman as a symbol. His meaning is still unclear, but the DCEU clearly tried to explore all sides of the equation. He's a hero to some, a menace to others, the object of envy to a few, and the only match for a certain New God.
When looking at the bigger picture, it's hard to see any real characterization for the character. 2013's Man of Steel is the closest audiences get to actual development. Afterward, he is treated as an abstract concept in Batman v. Superman and barely appears in ZSJL. Turning him evil might seem like just another way to unite the league, thus depriving him of all development and reducing him to little more than a plot device.
Could Work: A Classic Redemption Arc
Throughout the history of cinema, many villains underwent a journey of redemption, eventually earning back their place in the pantheon of great heroes. From Darth Vader to the MCU's Loki, villains everywhere get a second chance when they show true repentance.
Superman's journey could mirror that of the villains that came before him to create an engaging and effective portrayal of guilt and atonement. Snyder already proved he has a clear vision and understanding of his characters, which means he can deliver a compelling narrative that goes beyond "Evil Superman."
Disaster: Not The Classic Superman
Fans of the classic Superman often complain about Snyder's take on the character. Indeed, the recent premiere of The CW's Superman & Lois only enhanced the supposed flaws in Snyder's characterization. Some fans can't accept the DCEU's brooding, silent, indomitable Superman, who's more God than man.
Turning him evil would be an even more drastic alteration to the character, taking him further away from his heroic, noble, light-hearted persona. And it might be the last straw for those who are still expecting to see the Superman they love on the big screen.
Could Work: A Chance To Develop The Character
As previously mentioned, the DCEU's Superman received his last significant character development in his debut movie, Man of Steel, Since then, he's basically remained static, mostly seen as a beacon of power devoid of all emotion and humanity.
Superman's descent into the dark side, as well as his ultimate return to the light, might be just what the character needs. It would be the perfect chance to explore his morality, his place on Earth, and his sense of responsibility and obligation towards humanity.
Disaster: Fridging Lois Lane
If there's one trope that must go away and never return, it's fridging. Named after a Green Lantern storyline where the hero's girlfriend, Alexandra DeWitt, is killed and stuffed into a refrigerator, the term basically refers to the killing of a female character to advance a male's storyline.
The DCEU's Lois Lane is resourceful and intelligent, if not entirely well-developed. She's an interesting character who was seemingly set up to play a major part in the overall universe. However, her important contribution is dying so that Superman can turn evil. It's the simplest, laziest way of handling the story and further proof that it's a terrible idea. Lois can be a major player in Superman's journey if given real agency and motility. Fridging her would be the worst mistake the DCEU could make.
Could Work: Right Up Henry Cavill's Alley
As anyone who's seen Mission: Impossible - Fallout can tell, Henry Cavill plays an incredible villain. In fact, his menacing performance is one of the reasons the film is so good. Thanks to his rugged look, stern expression, and impressive physicality, he's ideal for playing morally ambiguous characters with little-to-no limits.
An evil Superman would be a meal of a role for Cavill and he would absolutely knock it out of the park. It would give him the chance to flesh out the character, taking advantage of the freedom that being a villain provides. Furthermore, he could create a unique take on the character, fully making it his own. If only for the chance to see Cavill go full-despot, the idea is worth exploring.
