I Just Found Out Guillermo Del Toro Was Approached For Man Of Steel, And I Get His Reason For Turning It Down

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Guillermo del Toro has planned so many films that were ultimately never made, there’s even a Wikipedia page dedicated to them. He came close to directing his own version of Beauty and the Beast, and his attempt to adapt H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness is well-known. Interestingly, he also worked on several superhero movies that didn’t quite happen, including a version of Man of Steel.

Guillermo del Toro has spoken openly about many of the movies he’s wanted to make, but never done, but one movie that he hasn’t talked about is Man of Steel. In a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, del Toro is asked about the project, and while technically he doesn’t confirm or deny ever being attached, he does explain why he wouldn’t make a Superman movie, saying…

I appreciate the creative directions people are taking with superhero stories. I personally lean towards darker themes, like the gothic style of ‘Gotham by Gaslight’ or the mystical elements of ‘Justice League Dark.’ It’s tough to tell stories about heroes when the world feels so uncertain. That’s why I really admire James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ – it offers a genuine sense of hope and goodness, and it’s clear he truly believes in that power.

It’s not exactly a revelation that Guillermo del Toro prefers darker themes in his films, but he’s right about that being his style. While Man of Steel offered a grittier Superman, del Toro seems to believe James Gunn’s approach is the correct one for the character, and he acknowledges that he wouldn’t be the best director for that kind of movie.

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As a film buff, I found Guillermo del Toro’s comments on Superman really interesting. It seems he admires James Gunn’s take on the character because it’s a direction he wouldn’t have gone in himself. He’s so self-aware of his own style and strengths, and he genuinely appreciates what Gunn brought to the table – he even seems to think it’s exactly what Superman needed. It’s cool to see him celebrate a vision that differs from his own, and he went on to elaborate…

I don’t think anyone is completely good. I’m fascinated by the complexities of people and the shades of gray between right and wrong. I don’t believe in simple answers or clear-cut morality, which is why I enjoy stories about flawed heroes like those in the Justice League Dark.

Guillermo del Toro’s efforts to create a Justice League Dark movie are probably better remembered than his work on a potential Superman film. The Superman project was discussed around the time Man of Steel came out, as the DC Extended Universe was just starting. It seems del Toro’s conversations about Superman may have evolved into Justice League Dark because he felt it was a better fit for his style and interests.

Guillermo del Toro never officially confirmed his involvement with Man of Steel, but his body language when asked about it strongly suggests he did play a role. You can see his reaction for yourself.

It would be fascinating to see Guillermo del Toro’s take on a Superman film, though I get why he decided against it. More importantly, someone needs to get del Toro and James Gunn working together on a Gotham by Gaslight movie – that needs to be a priority!

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2025-12-09 22:09