As Superman makes his debut on streaming platforms, Atwood’s Aidan Moyer explores the character's sonic legacy and the echoes of John Williams’ unforgettable themes in the new score by John Murphy and David Fleming.
‘Superman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
Few visual symbols are as pervasive as Superman. His emblem and red, blue, and yellow color scheme are found on t-shirts, backpacks, and toys worldwide. The Man of Steel carries a deep connection to his World War II origins, conceived by two Jewish immigrants who advocated for 'right over might.' Consequently, certain aspects of Superman's universe—the major city newspaper, a roster of bowler-hatted adversaries, and the once-simple mantra of ‘Truth, Justice, and the American Way’—have felt outdated since his inception in 1938. Occasionally, Krypton must explode anew, launching Superman into a fresh era.
Pulp Hero: A reproduction of an HJ Ward painting that once decorated the DC offices. Ward, known for his adventure story covers in the ‘30s and ‘40s, was among the first to portray Joe Shuster’s Superman as a quintessential strongman of his time. © Aidan Moyer
Arguably, no reboot has left as lasting a mark on Super-Media as Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie (1978). Featuring relative newcomer Christopher Reeve, the film redefined the visual effects landscape, fully immersing Superman in a quasi-reality and fulfilling its tagline, “you’ll believe a man can fly.” The latest incarnation of Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet and directed by James Gunn, smartly acknowledges the legacy of Reeve, especially by including direct references to John Williams’ “Superman Theme” in its score.
Electric guitar riffs punctuate the scenes involving the Arctic fortress and Nicholas Hoult's sinister Lex Luthor. These melodies, crafted by John Murphy and David Fleming and performed by session guitarist Yvette Young, reinterpret the classic Williams tunes for a contemporary audience. Other composers have attempted to create new Superman themes—Shirley Walker’s beautiful score for Superman: The Animated Series, Hans Zimmer’s expansive Man of Steel theme, and Remy Zero’s catchy “Somebody Save Me” (Smallville) stand out—but the overwhelming presence of the 1978 film has cemented the original score as an inseparable aspect of the character.
Gunn does not attempt to surpass Williams. In fact, the opening credits for 2025’s Superman adopts the same font as Donner’s film, and fan-favorite characters Otis and Miss Tessmacher make an appearance as a nod to the original. Gunn’s working title was Superman: Legacy, and the film fulfills that promise.
The Blueprint: Christopher Reeve’s dual representation of Clark Kent and Superman has cast a long-lasting influence, reshaping the very essence of Superman. © Aidan Moyer
Gunn’s screenplay operates on several assumptions—both we and the citizens of Metropolis are well aware of Superman's identity and his long-standing activities. He battles enormous monsters, lifts skyscrapers, and flies faster than a speeding bullet... you get the idea. Lois Lane, expertly played by Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, is fully aware that Superman and Clark Kent are the same person, and the two find themselves, in modern terms, “in a situationship.”
The first scene that directly echoes Donner’s film occurs early in the first act, when Clark consents to give Lois an interview “as Superman.” This evokes a memorable and largely improvised moment between Reeve’s Superman and Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane, where Superman gives Lane an exclusive before they take off together to the strains of Williams’ romantic ballad, “Can You Read My Mind?”
A Friend From Another Star: Kidder and Reeve take flight. © Aidan Moyer
Author’s Note: Kidder was initially meant to perform this song during the flying montage, but wiser heads prevailed, resulting in Lois merely reciting the lyrics internally. The original intention for the track was ultimately captured in this charming rendition by Maureen McGovern.
Corenswet’s Kent—and by extension, the audience—anticipates the same mild line of questioning. The Lois Lane-Superman relationship is, after all, straightforward: a determined reporter is drawn to the humble charm of a farm boy who is also a demigod.
However, Brosnahan’s Lois is tenacious. She challenges Superman’s unilateral cowboy diplomacy when he threatens the dictator of the fictional Jarhanpur. Kent insists he is merely standing up for “good and what’s right,” not acting as a representative of America, but Lane confronts him with the moral dilemmas involved.
Eventually, Kent retorts, “People were going to die!!”
In the last cinematic portrayal of Superman, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, countless civilians suffer collateral damage during a grim battle in Metropolis.
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With Superman debuting on streaming, Atwood’s Aidan Moyer explores the character’s musical heritage and the influence of John Williams’ memorable themes in the score by John Murphy and David Fleming.