Since Superman: The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve, was first released in 1978, the superhero has been seen by millions as depicting the modern archetype of masculinity and heroism.
On Thursday, December 19, the teaser trailer for the upcoming movie Superman was released. Written and directed by James Gunn, the film stars actor David Corenswet as Superman, alongside actress Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
The film is set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025, and will be the first film in the newly rebooted DC Universe (DCU).
Peter Safran, co-chairman of the DCU along with James Gunn, described Superman in the film as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
You can watch the teaser trailer for Superman below:
The Greeks held up the sculpture Apollo Belvedere as the epitome of manhood and male strength. Moderns hold up – and look up to – Superman.
But here’s the (quite obvious) rub: Neither model of manhood is achievable for mortal men. For human men are born – not sculpted. And we don’t have the godlike powers of Zeus’ son, Apollo, nor the x-ray vision, superhuman strength, heat vision or invulnerability of the Krypton-born Superman.
Unfortunately.
Human men are born male, but real manhood and male strengths are constructed and achieved.
While real men may not be able to fly or fight like Superman, there are real traits they are expected to exhibit to live up to their masculine calling.
Glenn T. Stanton, Director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, has previously written about some of the essential characteristics of manhood, which apply across times and cultures. Here are several of them:
Courage
Steps Up
Provides and Protects
Self-Reliance
Honest and Moral Strength
Tenacity
Self-Control
Under Authority
Shows Respect
Loyalty
Humility
Compassion
Lives His Character
Unfortunately, many men are failing to develop and grow into these traits in several basic ways – often falling behind women in many categories. Indeed, here’s several concerning statistics:
Women graduate from college at significantly higher rates than men.
Men have a suicide rate that’s four times that of women.
Almost half of male teens have never dated – double the rate of previous generations.
Fifteen percent of young men report having no close friendships.
Additionally, when it comes to something as basic and essential as working a full-time job, many millions of men today are failing – or refusing – to join the workforce.
Indeed, there are more than seven million men who are affirmatively choosing not to work. As we’ve previously written, “employment levels for able-bodied men in America are at historically low Great Depression levels.”
American economist Nicholas Eberstadt, author of the book Men Without Work, has sounded the alarm on this topic:
For these reasons – and others – manhood is in crisis today.
Though men don’t have to be Superman, they do have to take responsibility, protect those around them, provide for their families, and stand up to and confront evil. This is every man’s natural masculine calling.
Truly, much of the reason evil continues to run rampant in our culture – with the proliferation of abortion, drag queen story hours, pornography, and fatherless households – is because men have failed in their God-given roles.
Ultimately, men must look again to the ultimate example of true masculinity – found in the person of Jesus Christ.
During his time on earth, Christ protected children, confronted evil, and provided for his Bride, the Church, ultimately laying down his life for Her.
St. Thomas Aquinas defined the effeminate man as “one who withdraws from good on account of sorrow caused by lack of pleasure.” In other words, men are effeminate when they are unwilling to “put aside pleasure in order to pursue what is difficult.”
It is the calling of every man to put aside the easy way and embrace the narrow path through hardship and difficulty – as Christ did on the cross. We must pursue what is good – even when it is hard. We must reject what is evil – even when its pleasurable.
This is especially true when it comes to men’s responsibility to protect, provide and be present in the families they create.
Only through this path – through following the example of Christ – will we begin to restore our culture.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2, ESV).
If you’re planning on going to see Superman, be sure to stay tuned to Focus on the Family’s entertainment review service Plugged In for more details. The Plugged In team reviews movies, television shows, music, games, books and more.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
The Best Way a Son Learns to Be a Man
Discovering What it Means to Be a Man
Fatherhood: How to Be the Dad Your Family Needs
How the Left’s Gender War Backfired — Tremendously
Courageous Dad Walks 30 Miles Through Flood Debris to Walk Daughter Down Aisle
Heroic Masculinity: Weatherman Rescues Woman Trapped in Car During Hurricane Helene
Grieving Corey Comperatore and Honoring Healthy Masculinity
The War on Masculinity is Toxic: Exclusive Interview with Prof. Nancy Pearcey
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