Superman: James Gunn Expands on Metahumans’ Long History in DCU

Superman director James Gunn recently shared how long metahumans have been part of the DC Universe. In a new interview, he hinted that their presence stretches back centuries, revealing how deeply integrated super-powered beings are in the world of the upcoming film.

Here’s how long metahumans have been in DCU before Superman

James Gunn confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that metahumans have existed in the DC Universe for 300 years. “In this world, humanity has been clued into the existence of metahumans… for 300 years,” he said. Gunn added that in the DCU, encountering a metahuman is treated as casually as spotting a famous celebrity.

The filmmaker explained that the general public has long accepted the existence of beings with extraordinary abilities. “If you saw a shark-man walking down the street, you’d probably vomit and s— yourself to death,” Gunn said. “If they saw one, it would be more like if you saw Paul McCartney on the sidewalk in New York.” This cultural normalization of super-powered individuals shapes the setting of the upcoming Superman film.

Gunn further clarified the broad definition of metahumans through a statement on Threads. “In DC Comics, a metahuman is a human-like being with extraordinary, often paranormal, abilities. These powers can arise from a variety of sources, including science, magic, alien origins, mutation, divinity, proficiency, or technology.” He noted that characters like Mister Terrific may qualify, while robots like Superman’s mechanical companion “4” likely do not.

In the same EW feature, Gunn discussed his world-building strategy: introducing audiences to a DC Universe already populated with metahumans rather than starting from scratch. “We don’t have to explain everyone away,” Gunn said.

He continued by saying, “There’s a little bit of magic in this world. There’s science beyond our understanding. This is the kind of place where there’s an island full of dinosaurs that probably exists.” This approach reflects his goal of immersing viewers in a fully formed superhero world from the beginning.

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.

Source: Comingsoon.net