Would the Rebooted DCU's Superman Kill to Protect Somebody’s Life? James Gunn Says Yes — but It Would Be 'Hard for Him'

It’s one of the most enduring debates in superhero lore: would Superman kill? Henry Cavill’s portrayal in the DCEU saw him make the harrowing choice to end General Zod’s life as a last resort to protect innocent lives. Now, with the DCU reboot, the question arises once more: would David Corenswet’s Superman make the same choice?

This new iteration of Superman steps into a brighter, more hopeful universe—distinctly different from the grounded, gritty tone of the SnyderVerse. From early glimpses, Corenswet’s Superman radiates compassion, deeply valuing all forms of life, whether human, animal, or alien. This naturally leads to a compelling question for new fans: why doesn’t Superman kill?

In a revealing Wired video, Corenswet shared his take, aligning closely with the character’s long-standing moral foundation: “I think the main reason is that he sees the good in just about everybody, maybe to a fault,” he explained. “He even sees the good in those trying to do him harm.”

James Gunn, the architect of the new DCU, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Superman’s core belief in the sanctity of life. “I believe he believes in a basic right to life. That’s [killing someone] just not in him,” Gunn stated.

However, Gunn also clarified that this version of Superman isn’t bound by absolute pacifism. “But I’m not a purist in that respect. I think that if, for instance, he had to kill to protect somebody’s life, he would probably do that, even though that would be hard for him.”