Supermanis about to put a new spin on the iconic romance between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and a classic piece of cinema was cited as a major inspiration. Superman and Lois Lane are the most famous couple in all of comics, having been together in some form sinceAction Comics#1 in 1938. The typical dynamic between them, from George Reeves’The New Adventures of Supermanto the Christopher ReeveSupermanfilms, is that Lois Lane is head-over-heels for Superman. Though he shares those same affections for her, he often feels like he can’t be with her because of a greater duty to the world. However, it seems this summer’sSupermanis messing with the formula in some exciting ways.
Speaking withABC, David Corenswet and James Gunn discussed their upcomingSuperman project, with one topic highlighted being the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. David Corenswet described it in a manner of a screwball comedy, saying it is a “longing romance and witty comedy” and said the rhythm of their dialogue drew heavily fromHis Girl Friday, a 1940 movie that also allowed a pair of reporters. “The rhythm, the patter, and the feeling of two people in love who really are an equal match for the other,” Corenswet said. Gunn further elaborated on the romance and story for Superman, saying:
“[It’s] a personal journey for Superman that’s entirely new. He’s in love with her. She’s the one that needs the convincing in the relationship. It’s not him. You really see where he needs her in his life.”
What ‘His Girl Friday’ Tells Us About ‘Superman’
His Girl Fridayis a 1940 romantic comedy by director Howard Hawks and stars Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell as a pair of reporters about to go through a divorce, who, through working one last job together before she marries a new man, begin to fall for one another. The film is famous for its snappy, witty dialogue, with characters talking at such a rapid pace and over each other that its influence can be felt in projects ranging fromGilmore GirlstoIron Man. Tony Stark even adopted an A.I. program inAvengers: Age of Ultronnamed Friday as a reference to the movie.His Girl Fridayis in thepublic domainand is available for free on platforms like Prime Video, Fandango, and Tubi.
Warner Bros Boss Explains ‘Superman’s Many Influences & How James Gunn Has “Crushed It”
This summer’s ‘Superman’ is bringing a lot of different influences to the table.
His Girl Fridaybeing an inspiration for Superman makes a great deal of sense, given that Clark Kent and Lois Lane are both reporters for the Daily Planet and likely work in a similar fast-paced environment.Rachael Brosnahan will also likely have a good grasp on the fast-paced dialogue, given her years working onThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Yet it also shows James Gunn drawing inspiration from the screwball romantic comedies of the early 1940s, the same era in which Superman was created. It brings a classic sensibility to a modern update. The trailers forSupermanhave shown Lois kissing both Clark and Superman, suggesting that she either knows their dual identity at the start of the movie or discovers it halfway through.
The romance angle between Superman and Lois Lanehas always been what the best adaptations of the character understand. From the iconic flirty courtship of Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder’s version to the loving marriage seen between Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch inSuperman & Lois, all of these versions understand that audiences appreciate Clark Kent / Superman and Lois Lane’s romance just as much as the action. Gunn and David Corenswet’s comments are certainly a good sign that they have found a new angle to approach the greatest love story in comic books.
Source:ABC News
