James Gunn Explains How GODZILLA MINUS ONE Helped Shape His Vision for SUPERMAN

James Gunn is cooking up something cool and unique for Superman, and one of his sources of inspiration for the film came from Godzilla Minus One.

That emotionally devastating, visually jaw-dropping Japanese monster film that tore through theaters last year is, in part, fueling the creative engine behind the launch of DC Studios' new cinematic universe.

In an interview with Japanese outlet CinemaToday, Gunn talked openly about the influence Godzilla Minus One had on his upcoming Superman film, which flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.

The film stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, with Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced also playing key roles in what marks the official beginning of DC’s new “Gods and Monsters” chapter.

When asked about the visual approach to Superman, Gunn gave Toho’s Oscar-winning epic credit:

“I was influenced by special effects. I tried to fuse elements like giant monsters, robots, flying dogs, other superheroes.”

There’s no way you could miss the hulking kaiju stomping its way through Metropolis in the Superman trailers, and no we know that its connected to Gunn’s reverence for the spectacle of Godzilla Minus One.

For Gunn, the real draw of Godzilla Minus One wasn’t just the destruction, it was the emotional core that grounded it all. He explained:

“My goal was to make a film like Godzilla Minus One, which depicted Godzilla but also had great human drama. There is a human story at the root.”

That outlook seems to guide how Gunn is choosing to reintroduce Clark Kent to audiences. Even with superheroes, monsters, and robots in the mix, Superman isn't shying away from emotional honesty and sincere storytelling. He elaborated on how he sees the character in today’s world:

“I portray a character with optimism and hope that we associate with Superman. However, the world he lives in is one in which these things are no longer as important as they used to be. There is some overlap with the real world we live in.”

And that’s where Gunn might be doing something special. The story he’s looking to tell is not about resurrecting Superman, it’s about making his values matter again. In a cultural landscape where hope and kindness often feel like relics, Gunn wants to position Superman as a meaningful counterweight.

“Although there have been many portrayals of Superman, [I focused on] showing Superman with goodness, kindness, compassion, and an attitude that values human life.”

Just like Godzilla Minus One used a monster to reflect humanity’s trauma, Gunn is using a superhero to explore how goodness can survive in a cynical world. It’s heart, hope, and the belief that one person can still make a difference.