James Gunn’s “Superman” has carried out effectively theatrically. It is a film that has resonated each with critics weary of superhero film slop and in addition with audiences who had been hesitant to imagine in one more try at bringing the Man of Metal to the large display screen.
In true Gunn trend, that is an earnest, honest, and foolish superhero film that absolutely embraces its comedian e-book roots moderately than try to disguise them behind a depressing and uber-serious tone. Certainly, “Superman” options kaiju fights, a Inexperienced Lantern with a ridiculous haircut, Lex Luthor yelling online game combat combos, literal monkeys engaged on keyboards as web trolls, and in addition Krypto the Superdog being concurrently the cutest and in addition worst canine on the planet.
After all, the success of Krypto was moderately fast and noticeable, with the film inspiring a rise in canine adoptions within the U.S., and resulting in us speculating whether or not James Gunn’s newly introduced follow-up to “Superman” would possibly simply be a Krypto film. Even when he would not get his personal characteristic movie (although remember about that latest animated “DC League of Tremendous-Pets” film), Krypto did simply get his personal collection of quick animated movies.
That is proper, Krypto is the star of his personal present! Warner Bros. simply launched the primary episode of an animated shorts collection titled “Krypto Saves the Day” on HBO Max, with extra episodes dropping all year long and into 2026. The shorts are 2D animated, with the primary episode following Krypto inflicting all types of chaos via Metropolis earlier than saving a college bus full of youngsters. It is cute, humorous, and it additionally rescues an deserted concept from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
James Gunn is trying to construct a cinematic universe with out homework
Again within the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel launched just a few quick movies titled One Photographs that had been included as particular options on some Blu-ray and residential video releases of its motion pictures. These had been meant to be self-contained tales that answered some small unanswered questions or just hung out with aspect characters folks appreciated. There have been a pair that informed tales about Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) going about his each day life as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., one a few random couple who discover a discarded Chitauri gun within the aftermath of “The Avengers,” and in addition the foolish “Staff Thor” mockumentary quick movies about Thor transferring to Australia and dwelling with a roommate within the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil Conflict.”
Although these had been largely foolish and pointless, the shorts may additionally have an effect or fill within the gaps of the flicks. “All Hail the King” adopted up “Iron Man 3” and targeted on Ben Kingsley’s character from that film, proven to be an actor employed to pose as The Mandarin. (The corporate initially had very completely different plans for that character.) There was additionally “Agent Carter,” which immediately led to Hayley Atwell starring in her personal TV collection of the identical identify because the titular Peggy Carter.
The “Krypto” shorts appear to be in the identical vein as Marvel’s One Photographs. They’re foolish, cute shorts that increase the world of the film and the cinematic universe, whereas nonetheless remaining their very own separate factor. It lets folks spend extra time with characters they like with out forcing them to do homework to know what is going to occur subsequent within the cinematic universe. And after the credit scenes in “Superman” did not current any world-changing teases for what’s to come back, we’re glad DC is embracing this technique and taking the “no homework required” strategy up to now. Let’s examine how lengthy they stick with it.
