[Filling the Space is a flexible column where our writers could vent, deconstruct, and work their way around the emotions brought on by TV, films, books, music, and key moments in pop culture. This isn’t meant to be analytical, but instead, a means of bringing our voice into a space on the internet where there’s often too much going on—a way to step into the sphere.]
I can already hear the dude bros disagreeing in the distance, and I don’t care. Go cry about it elsewhere. But the marketing team behind Superman knew exactly what they were doing when they cast David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively. And they also knew what they were doing with the Entertainment Weekly photoshoot as well as the trailer. Superman and Lois’ relationship is a key part of the narrative’s arc, and the one thing missing from the Man of Steel films is the romance. Yes, it was there. However, Amy Adams didn’t get nearly enough screen time as she should have.
Still, James Gunn’s adaptation has the opportunity to rectify this by actually featuring a decent amount of romance that scratches the itch. (The trailer already features far more than any of the previous films have!) And no, I’m not asking for a full-blown rom-com. I wasn’t born yesterday, nor am I new to the genre. What I am asking for is a satisfying amount, perhaps something akin to Matt Reeves’ Batman or some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that spend a decent time allowing viewers to see how important the female characters are.
More than anything, I want to see the partnership between Superman and Lois shine, even when they aren’t sharing a screen. I want to see and understand that the writing not only values her character, but it also values Rachel Brosnahan as a performer. I want to watch something that doesn’t treat a woman like a vessel for the man’s growth, but as someone who is irreplaceable.
Lois Lane is enormously important to Clark Kent, and by bringing their relationship to the forefront of their trailer, I hope that the writers aren’t just trying to entice a group of viewers into selling tickets. Even if the scenes are limited, I want to understand the gravity of their love for each other, which can certainly be achieved if enough care is taken in exploring the fact that romance often brings out the best in two characters. This is especially the case with Superman and Lois, so if the film leans a bit further into exploring their relationship while simultaneously allowing Clark to don his cape, then it has the chance to be one of the most memorable adaptations in recent years. Plus, the chemistry is all there. It’s palpable from the photoshoots, and it’s believable in the trailer, so I hope we get a good chunk to dissect and swoon over.
Related Content (Post Release): Lois and Clark’s Romance in Superman Shines With Layers and a Necessary Softness
First Featured Image Credit: ©Warner Bros.