First launched in 2013, the passion for Zack Snyder‘s DCEU debut movie, Man of Metal, stays simply as robust in 2025. Whilst a brand new actor dons the cape and a brand new director takes the helm for the not too long ago launched Superman, some followers can not seem to let go of the truth that the previous iteration of the character has been put to relaxation as James Gunn has begun his new DC Universe. This has finished nothing to quiet the unique fanbase, and so they’ve solely grown extra vocal as a brand new group of supporters embraces Gunn’s tackle the character, making it one of many summer time’s greatest success tales. Sadly, the success of Superman has solely sparked additional debate on social media, with either side claiming victories, though there may not be a transparent winner on both aspect.
It was naive to assume that audiences may get a brand new Superman movie with none discourse. A lot of this started to emerge when the primary trailer for Gunn’s movie was launched, as followers dissected each body and criticized it for any trace of mediocrity. One hoped this may subside when the movie was launched and opinions had been stable, however roars of disdain solely grew louder. The social media fights grew stronger, and either side of the Superman fandom started taking photographs at one another. It is wild {that a} character who stands for unity and hope has impressed a fanbase so bitterly divided, a dynamic that might seemingly disappoint the Man of Metal himself. As Man of Metal followers and Superman followers draw traces within the sand, there appear to be key elements that either side are utilizing for his or her arguments.
The ‘Superman’ vs. ‘Man of Metal’ Field Workplace Debate
One of many loudest arguments started on Superman‘s opening weekend: the field workplace debate. When Superman opened to $125 million throughout its debut, the trades gave it the excellence of getting the largest opening for a Superman movie. Not so quick, mentioned followers of Man of Metal. Regardless of opening to $116.6 million, Man of Metal loyalists identified that, adjusted for inflation, the opening is technically increased, thus giving the Snyder movie the win.
The adjusted for inflation argument solely works if one applies it to each movie and never when it fits one’s wants. Additionally, most field workplace is not mirrored in “adjusted for inflation” phrases, so whereas film ticket costs have inflated since 2013, everybody is aware of that field workplace is decided by present foreign money and never greenback quantities from the previous. Each time Superman reaches a brand new milestone, Man of Metal followers are fast to dismiss it.
For example, Superman simply crossed the $300 million mark on the home field workplace, topping the $291 million earned by Man of Metal to turn out to be the highest-grossing solo Superman movie domestically. That is one other win that Man of Metal followers will not let the Superman fandom have as a result of, by the top of its run, Man of Metal bought a complete of 35 million tickets, a complete that Superman is presently operating about 10 million tickets behind. That sparks the argument that extra individuals have seen Man of Metal than Superman, though the latter movie’s run is not over simply but.
Even calling Superman the highest-grossing solo Superman film has sparked heated debate. Given the truth that Inexperienced Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) are featured and provides the movie’s hero a serious help, Man of Metal followers have known as this out too. To them, Man of Metal was a real solo Superman film and, in the event that they’re taking into consideration non-solo Superman movies, Batman v. Superman: Daybreak of Justice has it beat with its $166 million opening and $874.3 million worldwide gross.
Factoring in world field workplace makes the controversy much more difficult. Superman will definitely prime the $330.3 million end of Daybreak of Justice (until you throw in that pesky inflation), however since that argument will not stick, the worldwide finishes of that movie, and even Man of Metal, will definitely beat Superman, which presently sits at $522.6 million with worldwide grosses not flying as excessive as hoped.
‘Superman’ Followers Do not Play Good Both
That is to not say that every one Superman followers play good. The Gunn movie acquired higher opinions on Rotten Tomatoes in comparison with Man of Metal (83% contemporary vs. 57% rotten) and has a better viewers rating at 91% in comparison with Man of Metal’s 71%, one thing that followers of the movie had been fast to throw within the faces of Man of Metal followers. They’ve even introduced within the 74 Metacritic rating for Superman whereas mocking the 55 earned by the Cavill-led journey.
The discourse can go on and on. Some followers consider that Gunn’s take is way too infantile and never as grounded as Man of Metal, whereas Superman followers assume Snyder’s movie is just too darkish and self-serious. Evaluating the 2 motion pictures will seemingly by no means finish, with either side pulling arguments that profit their endgame. All of it comes down to private choice, actually, and, go determine, there’s a world the place you’ll be able to like each movies due to what they every deliver to the desk.
The issue with the divided discourse is that it may well turn out to be excessive and downright imply, particularly since this has to do with a fictional character with no real-life ties to anybody. When you could have one aspect hurling offensive insults on the different, that is a transfer that’s over the road. To actively want {that a} movie fails and would not make the cash to be thought of successful is disrespectful to the numerous individuals who labored on the undertaking. Within the battle of Man of Metal vs. Superman, there are not any winners — simply fanboys locked in an countless shouting match. Superman is in theaters now. Man of Metal is streaming on HBO Max.
Superman
- Launch Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Director
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James Gunn
- Producers
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Peter Safran