Using One Iconic DC Theme Would be A Huge Mistake for James Gunn’s Superman

John Williams is undoubtedly the greatest composer of all time, responsible for some of the most iconic themes ever in entertainment, ranging from Star Wars to NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Among his most iconic works was the Richard Donner Superman film starring Christopher Reeve. Despite its footprint on pop culture, Williams only fully scored one Superman film and helped write new music for Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, which Alexander Courage later adapted. While there have been countless reboots of superhero characters, for some reason, filmmakers have continued to lean on the classic Williams theme for new interpretations of Superman. For instance, the theatrical version of Justice League used the Williams theme for Henry Cavill’s Superman.

The classic theme has also popped up in other Superman material over the years and is instantly associated with the character. James Gunn is the next filmmaker attempting to reinvent Superman for modern audiences and launch a new DC-shared universe. While Gunn is active on social media with fans, the director has not revealed whether or not he will use the Williams theme for his Superman reboot. The director has used the theme for some posts on social media related to the film, but that is far from a confirmation. If Gunn were to use the Williams Superman theme for his upcoming project, it would be a step in the wrong direction for many reasons.

James Gunn’s Superman Takes Place in a New Universe

The first reason Gunn’s Superman should avoid using the Williams beat is because the film will take place in a brand-new DC universe and have no ties to the Donner version. There’s a lot on Superman‘s shoulders to take DC in a hopeful new direction. While Gunn considers the Donner Superman film one of the best comic book movies ever made, the reboot shouldn’t attempt to lean on the nostalgia the Williams theme would bring.

Superman is a reboot in the same way Batman Begins, Man of Steel and The Amazing Spider-Man were. None of those films reused classical themes from the past. Instead, they charted their path with new themes that have become recognizable in their own right. If the film references the old theme, it may also confuse general audiences, especially in the age of multiverses, which plays a role in many comic book movies today. Gunn’s Superman should abandon the classic theme and establish a new one because it has no ties to past films. A new theme would also fall in line with Gunn’s attempt to do something new with the character and using the familiar theme would be a step backwards.

Other Composers Have Proved Different Superman Themes Can Work

While Williams’ Superman theme may be the most recognizable, other talented composers have stepped in to deliver their takes on the hero over the years. Hans Zimmer’s Man of Steel score instantly comes to mind as a Superman theme, that’s different from Williams’, but still just as impactful. However, that doesn’t mean Gunn should use that theme either cause it’s tied to Cavill’s version.

Shirley Walker’s work on Superman: The Animated Series and Dan Romer’s music for Superman & Lois are other projects that have proved that Superman can have a different theme that still embodies the character and doesn’t repeat what’s been done in the past. While Superman Returns heavily relies on the Williams theme because it technically takes place in the same universe, John Ottman still worked on his own subtle yet powerful theme. Characters like Batman and Spider-Man have had their fair share of different themes from different composers that have worked well and there’s no reason why Superman couldn’t do the same, especially since other composers have accomplished this feat already.

John Williams Will Not Compose the New Superman Film

A final reason why Gunn’s Superman shouldn’t incorporate Williams’ theme is because the maestro won’t be composing the new film. While Williams initially said he would retire, he has since reversed that decision at 92. If Williams were composing the new Superman film, there could be an exception made because he is so prolific. Yet, Gunn revealed in February that John Murphy would step in to compose Superman and was one of the first people he collaborated with on the new film.

Murphy previously worked with Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Suicide Squad.His style is very different from that of Williams, and it may feel out of place if the Williams theme appears alongside whatever Murphy creates. Gunn’s film is also poised to have a very different musical feel from past Superman films since the filmmaker is known for infusing his unique taste in music into his projects.

Gunn’s forthcoming Superman film has much to live up to, not necessarily because the franchise has a rich history of quality projects, but because it marks a new beginning for the DC brand desperate for a hit. So far, there’s only been one official look at the film and various set photos from its Cleveland shoot that tease its plot. Superman has become a character that has faded a bit in the scope of superheroes with Marvel’s rise in popularity with its cinematic universe. Because the Donner films were so iconic, many still see Reeve as the quintessential Superman, but a different generation also sees Cavill as the superior take on the character. Either way, Gunn’s Superman shouldn’t seek to compete with those versions. Themes for superheroes have played a large role in their lives, dating back to Adam West’s Batman in the ’60s.

Gunn will surely take inspiration from the Donner films, as he has done with various other Superman comic book stories from the past. Nonetheless, it would still be a major mistake for Gunn’s Superman to reference the Williams theme. It didn’t work for the failed DC Extended Universe, and that shouldn’t be the way the DCU begins. For there to be a modern Superman, it needs to break away from what’s come before and the Williams theme would be a blatant pull for nostalgia. Superman is long overdue for a successful reboot like the several Batman and Spider-Man have had, and it should follow in their footsteps with a new musical identity.