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Superman's arrival was the apotheosis of the contemporary comic book superhero, the character all superheroes after were measured against or reacting to.

Yet for the character's massive pop cultural footprint across the decades, his cinematic legacy has been largely wonky at best and divisive at worst. What is it about the design of the character that makes him so tricky to adapt in the film medium?

Actor, filmmaker, and fellow Superman nerd Adam Hampton (Play It Loud and Out of Exile) stops by to help dissect the live-action Superman movies and ruminate on the importance of the character and why he means so much to so many.

Important questions are asked, such as: why does it not matter that Christopher Reeve isn't super jacked? What exactly the hell is going on with Lois Lane's son in Superman Returns? What does, despite its flaws, Man of Steel "get right," and what even is "getting it right" with this particular character?

And looking ahead, what are our hopes and fears for James Gunn's take on Superman, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan?

Follow Adam Hampton on Instagram!

Further learning:

Superman 2: What Happens When You Change Directors Mid-Movie

Batman v Superman: The Fundamental Flaw

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