James Gunn Must Save One DC Character From The Snyderverse Ruining Them

After I watched Man of Steel for the first time my biggest takeaway wasn’t Snyder’s style or Henry Cavill’s performance as Superman, it was how good Amy Adams was as Lois Lane. Adams is a phenomenal actress, bringing a strong sense of independence and bravery to the character. The writing was also strong, painting Lois as a competent journalist who throws herself into danger for her job rather than making her the stereotypical damsel in distress.

While Amy Adams’ performances remained strong in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, the writing let her character down. In Batman v. Superman, Lois Lane was reduced first to a mysterious plot device, then the exact damsel in distress Man of Steel had gone out of its way to avoid. Her role in Justice League was just as underwhelming, centered entirely around her romantic relationship with Clark completely lacking in nuance or agency.

James Gunn’s upcoming Superman would do well to learn from the version of Lois Lane who appeared in Man of Steel and avoid the mistakes of later Snyderverse films. One of the most prominent non-superheroes in DC comics, Lois offers unique storytelling opportunities. Comics like Lois Lane: Enemy of the People and Event Leviathan prove how great she can be as a character. 

Prominent side characters often get neglected in modern superhero movies and it’s something the Snyderverse in particular struggled with. Lois Lane is the most notable example but, J. K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred were never given enough time to shine. It’s these types of grounded side characters I would like to see James Gunn and the DC Universe focus on getting right after the Snyderverse neglected them.

Side characters don’t just benefit the hero’s stories they find themselves in, they often become beloved characters in their own right. The popularity of J. Jonah Jameson as played by J.K. Simmons is the ultimate example of why side characters matter. Lois Lane is critical to Superman’s mythos and a character worth exploring in her own right. 

I’m excited to see what Rachel Brosnahan brings to the character, she has the chance to restore the damage the Snyderverse did to the character. But as the previous version proves, unless James Gunn gives Brosnahan the room to develop her character, Lois Lane will end up as another forgettable love interest.

I don’t know what the James Gunn version of DC will look like, but I hope it learns from the Snyderverse’s biggest failures. Lois Lane and the other side characters of DC deserve to be written as real characters with personalities and actual character arcs. As a fan, it would be heartbreaking to see another talented actress cast as the iconic character just for her to be cast aside again.