Superman & Luke Skywalker

Just on the surface, these two are arguably the most iconic heroes for DC and Star Wars.

Both are deeply connected to the sci-fi fantasy genre of stories. Both also have iconic musical themes crafted by the legend of film score himself John Williams that were even composed around the same time, with Richard Donner’s film and George Lucas’ original Star Wars (which we now know as Episode IV: A New Hope) releasing in 1978 and 1977 respectively. Hope is also an essential recurring theme of stories of their universes and both characters specifically are cited as living legends of hope and what it means. To understand this, we need to go back to…

I. Genesis

Kal-El was an orphaned survivor of a doomed planet, his desperate scientist parents sent him to Earth as their last hope where he was adopted by a kindly couple in a small town literally named Smallville, raised as Clark Kent. There he grew up on a farm, looking to the horizon, to the stars, dreaming of his greater purpose in life. As a child he had a love for astronomy, which he shared with Lex Luthor. Whether one, both or neither of his adoptive parents die, he eventually learns more of his heritage and resolves to carry his burdens to use his gifts to fight for truth and justice in a cynical world that saw those ideals as a joke. He became a Symbol of Hope that the world could be better, that others would be inspired to follow his example in a better tomorrow.
Luke Skywalker is the son a fallen Jedi Knight, a former hero corrupted by the Dark Side of the Force, and a former Queen and senator who fought for liberty and still had hope in the goodness of her husband even in death. His father’s master gives him to his uncle and aunt to be raised in safety and secrecy on the planet Tatooine, a desert world far from the center of the galaxy. There he grew up on a farm, looking to the horizon, to the stars, dreaming of his greater purpose in life. Over time he learns more and more about the truth of his heritage, and ultimately resolves to carry his burdens and use his gifted talent in the Force to become a Jedi like his father once was, becoming A New Hope for the galaxy, and even as the darkness struck back he returned light to the legacy he was given.

Clearly both fit Joseph Campbell’s “mono myth” of the hero’s journey very well, but even more than that there are key details and themes that connect them both, which stretch beyond their origin. Their true heritage and past are just as much of a burden to them, at least in the beginning. It is a source of great conflict that they overcame. So one aspect of the hope they share is their own personal hope for themselves, that they are meant for goodness and greatness.

But it also extends of course, for hope in others.

II. Spirituality

Spirituality is actually a strong theme for both characters and some of their best stories. My last blog post, and also the biggest one I've ever done, already covered Superman's biblical roots. See that here if you haven't read it yet but want to. Meanwhile, Star Wars has the Force and Jedi, which are also in-universe and IRL been alluded to as matters of religion and faith. I actually also made a post on Andor after season 1, on how the Force is present through destiny or divine providence, which is actually even more apparent in season 2 as tackled deeply by characters like the Force healer and Luthen recognizing Cassian's role in the story of the Rebellion.

From the beginning, there's also a direct contrast to this religious and fantastical elements of their world against the more technological sci-fi aspects.

In Superman's case, the cover Action Comics #1, where he debuted, features him using his cosmic-biological power to destroy an automobile, which I actually read someone make that connection and essay on before but unfortunately can't remember from.
In Luke's case, his faith in the Force over his X-wing's targeting system or own human skill allowed him to destroy the "technological terror" that was the Death Star. Both connect to the classic trope of the human spirit triumphing over the cold monstrosities humanity created through the abuse of technology. Man vs machine. Like with "John Henry" the steel driving man (sound familiar?) or even Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader too.

Which leads me to the next section...

III. Redemption

What defines both Clark and Luke as heroes in the end which connects them both is not only their love for their family and friends, and devotion to goodness, but also the belief in the redemption of even their worst enemies, seeing the good in those most would consider irredeemable.

The most famous case for each would be Lex Luthor and Darth Vader.

Clark and Lex in some versions of their story were once childhood friends from the same town, sharing a love for sciences such as astronomy, and curiosity for alien life. Both outsiders who felt out of place in the world they called home, living in the middle of nowhere but looking into the stars for hope. Brothers destined to be on opposite sides. But even in some where they aren't, despite Lex's dehumanization and obsession of him, despite all the evil he's done, Kal continues to extend compassion and hope for his eventual redemption. In the latest Superman film, the "real punk rock" isn't just vague kindness, but Clark specifically seeing the good in everyone. In his famous "Being Human speech", Clark ends his monologue on his own humanity by reminding Lex that he shares that same humanity along with him, and looks empathetically as Luthor in tears of sorrow and anger was exposed to the world. Next year's "Man of Tomorrow" will feature both of them teaming up to face a greater for: Brainiac, the Collector of Worlds. Similarly, in comics and beyond Lex has often had stints of redemption, at some points even being a hero and joining the Justice League. In some Elseworlds and alternate futures, Clark eventually succeeds in bringing him to the light.
Luke and Anakin, are almost like the reverse Prodigal Son. Something many often miss is that Luke's main motivation for ANH and ESB for becoming a hero and then a Jedi is to become closer to the father he never knew. He says as much to both Obi-Wan and Yoda. So of course his whole world is turned upside down learning what he became, and what he himself could become. It was important for his final lesson, and his arc in ROTJ. He becomes a Jedi and surpasses his predecessors by choosing mercy and compassion, and proving that love by itself is not corrupting but redeeming. He overcomes the Dark Side, saving not only himself but also his father. This is the climax and conclusion of the original Star Wars saga. The duel wasn't a physical one, but a spiritual one, about a son saving his father's soul and the father laying down his life to save his son.

It doesn't end there for either of them.

Superman always does his best to extend mercy and forgiveness to his enemies, from desperate small time crooks who need help to his long-time villains who had potential for redemption like Manchester Black, Parasite, Metallo, Superboy-Prime, Silver Banshee, Livewire and so many more. He's even teamed up with less than "human"/"soulless" villains like Mr. Mxyzptlk, Doomsday and Eradicator. Not all redemption arcs are permanent, like Lex, but many either lasted long, are ongoing and/or ended with them sacrificing themselves too.

Luke meanwhile, at least in the Old Expanded Universe or "Legends" continuity, took this experience to heart and continued to do his best to redeem those who have fallen to the Dark Side as he sought to restore the Jedi Order. He has failed often, including fallen students like Gantoris, Desann, Kueller, Brakiss, and even his own nephew Jacen Solo. Even with eventual successes like Kyp Durron, it wasn't easy and others (namely Corran Horn) pointed out how lenient, complacent and overly-forgiving he was as a master initially. But otherwise? He did have great success with students like Kam Solusar, the aforementioned Kyp Durron, and most famously the former Imperial spy-assassin Mara Jade who he eventually married.

Overall, both of them have strong, unwavering convictions on everyone having a chance at redemption. Superman has many stories that emphasize his firm stance against killing as part of this (Kingdom Come, Action Comics #775) along with his love and respect for the sanctity and cosmic miracle of life (Miracle Monday, Birthright). Luke does kill, but he generally does his best to avoid to unless absolutely necessary. Even more than other Jedi, who should know how all life is connected to each other via the Force, something All-Star Superman made Lex realize something similar too. Even when an imperial assassin tells him she fully plans to kill him to fulfill her mission and he sees a vision of her following through with it, he chooses to help, protect and teach her instead of killing her in her sleep (cough more on that later cough). Credit to new canon, even DICE's Star Wars Battlefront II got it right with Luke not only sparing but saving and working with an imperial special forces soldier, who ends up defecting to the New Republic after, inspired partially by Luke.

"I know who you are. Why'd you help me?"

"Because you asked."

IV. Legacy

In main DC comics continuity and in "Legends", both of them found a new family and established a lasting legacy.

In Superman's case, his heroics would directly or indirectly inspire a new generation and era of superheroes that would lead to the formation of the the Justice League, which he often founded and/or lead. He would also find family old and new, creating the Super-Family: from his cousin Kara and dog Krypto, to his half-clone brother Conner, biological son Jonathan, to adopted children and many more allies taking up his symbol like the Steels. Thanks to time travel and multiversal exploration, the future held even more to show his legacy. His House of El, the Superman Dynasty would grow across space and time. In the 31st century, across multiple timelines, a Legion of Super-Heroes would rise inspired specifically by him, even traveling to his time to meet, team up with and befriend him.

Art by PeriArt, commissioned by u/T-o-C-A

With Luke, Obi-Wan said it best in Heir to the Empire. He wasn't going to be The Last of the old Jedi, but the first of the new. What Luke learned wasn't necessarily new, thousands of years before him Revan himself learned from Jolee Bindo that the true power of the Light Side of the Force can come from true selfless Love not corrupted by selfish passion that's associated with the Dark Side, which itself can redeem and save like it did with Revan and his wife Bastila Shan. But it was Luke that rebuilt the Jedi from the ground up, a New Jedi Order that rose reborn from the ashes of the old, learning from the mistakes of the past and growing stronger than ever. It had its fair share of trials and tribulations but by the end of the Legends timeline, Luke's legacy remains strong.

With that, both our paragons of hope did in fact change their worlds for the better with a brighter future that held their legacy, built by their resilience and convictions in their beliefs which transformed the hearts of others, including their initially more cynical wives with fiery personalities and a tendency to nickname them in a way that reminds them of their origins (Lois calls Clark "Smallville", Mara calls Luke "Farmboy").

But that isn't always the case for every version of them unfortunately, and that includes their big cinematic incarnations in recent years...

V. Fall

Whew okay, I don't want to dwell here too long or be overly-negative. There are fans of the DCEU's Superman and Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice, and the Sequel Trilogy's Luke and The Last Jedi specifically. I will say I do not completely hate either film and do think some go too far.

But otherwise, both truly did handle these two characters poorly in very similar ways.

To be clear, neither Superman nor Luke are immune to sorrow. In fact, to be hopeful, you need to be sorrowful. You need to see that there is ugliness in the world to want to hope that it can be better. They absolutely can be tempted to give in to anger, and often did in their younger years. Both actually often do have anger issues. But at the end of the day, they become the heroes of hope they are because they overcome those temptations. They continue to believe, with their wills if not their hearts at the moment, that people can be good. That their actions matter. They may have their "One Bad Day" but like with Kingdom Come and EU Luke instead of Injustice and the Joker (who Mark Hamill is also The iconic voice of, more on this later), they keep getting back up and try to do better.

Both Henry Cavill and Mark Hamill themselves have voiced their own criticisms and dissatisfactions with these films and portrayals of their characters openly while maintaining respect for Zack Snyder and Rian Johnson. Many exaggerate one side over another but this is the truth. Mr. Cavill really wanted to get another chance precisely because he wanted to be the Superman he always wanted to be. Even recently Mr. Hamill, respectfully, still wishes Abrams and Johnson had allowed him to reunite with the OT cast and do more to do his character justice. He's not alone. I could go on about other SW writers, authors and fans but I'd like to cite Sam Witwer (more on him later), who also agrees that while TLJ was a well-made film, it did not satisfactorily show why Luke would be tempted even a bit to kill his nephew and apprentice in his sleep, and choose to abandon his sister, best friend and entire galaxy for years.

Credit where credit is due however...

At least Superman was resurrected. Of course, the first time wasn't done so well. Both the Theatrical Cut of Justice League (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker failed to reconstruct what was "deconstructed" and to give a conclusion with sufficient closure. Zack Snyder's Justice League came later, and while much better, wasn't perfect either IMO. But Luke? Well, in the end his legacy was undone for a new character to do exactly what he was supposed to do in the first place. Even as new content shows him do well in the past, he's fated to fall to the exact same mistakes of his predecessors that he already started to learn from. Of course he can't be the same in the ST, he can't be the main hero, but he was barely even a proper master, and he can grow, change and make mistakes that fit his character in the past more, or at least in a more justifiable and satisfying way.

But enough of that. The next question is...

Is there hope for the future of these characters in cinema?

VI. Rebirth

Since then, James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC and Superman's returned to the big screen arguably better than ever.

Last year brought us a new Superman film, for a new DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) by DC Studios, DC films "reorganized into the first" truly film studio that's fully unifying all DC on-screen media (Film and TV) and independent of Warner Brothers' direct influence. I've made a ton of posts on this movie already. The last one being again that big Moses and Superman post. Needless to say, it wasn't perfect, but I agree that it's overall the best live-action theatrical Superman film and does the character justice. My love for the film far surpasses my criticism of its flaws. Next year, will bring us Man of Tomorrow, and more to come. More room for growth and improvement. Things are more promising for Superman on the big screen than ever.

But what about Star Wars and Luke Skywalker?

Lucasfilm and SW media has not been in a great place in the last few years. The first two seasons of The Mandalorian and Andor have been great and well-received. Everything else has varying levels of success. Some hated more than others. Some forgotten. There hasn't been a single theatrical release since TROS, and vast majority of content has been about past eras, and for good reason. There have been many cinematic projects announced and cancelled, similar to games as well.

But just recently, it seems the parallel pattern is coming true again.

Just recently, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan have just been named as the new co-Presidents of Lucasfilm, the former leading the creative side and the latter the business side. Just as James Gunn and Peter Safran were. Just like with DC, it will take time for them to finish releasing content from the old regime, create a new plan and start executing it for the public to see, but already there's much speculation for necessary change. Reactions however have been mixed, and there are differing details in this situation compared to DC that makes it questionable that they will turn things around the same way. While Gunn has done some work for DC before, Filoni was already a longtime creative at LF, and had a leadership role for sometime. EU fans have long since criticized him and TCW for things new fans are only now realizing as he makes the same mistakes for new canon. Still, he is very much a passionate SW fan who wants what's best for the saga, the story and characters. We may not agree with all his takes and choices but he makes them as a fan and storyteller first, and he worked very closely with George Lucas as well.

So what do I hope he does for the franchise and more specifically Luke Skywalker?

I know this is highly unlikely at this point, but I hope that they do take a page from Gunn and Safran, and make some of these choices or something close:

Recast Luke and the OT gang. Mark Hamill has already given his blessing multiple times and also expressed dismay that the OT essentially gave him his Jedi origin story but has no on-screen story showing hm as a Jedi, comparing it to if James Bond had a trilogy becoming 007 but not any film after about him as an agent. Everyone's already brought up fancasts for all of them and Han and Lando already have new younger actors.
Make a proper Heir to the Empire film and Thrawn Trilogy adaptation. Filoni's original characters from TCW, Rebels and Ahsoka, as well as his and Favreau's Mandoverse characters, all can show up if they want to. But they can't replace the icons of Star Wars and original stars of this story, which they've already set up adapting by bringing Thrawn into Ahsoka. This was the story that truly jumpstarted the original Expanded Universe, which kept the SW fandom alive for decades and laid the foundation of so much that came after. One could wonder if George Lucas would've still made the Prequel Trilogy after so long if it weren't for the EU and these 3 books. I sincerely hope writer Timothy Zahn, the creator of Thrawn and author of these books and many other SW greats, gets more input and a proper official role.
Bring Mara Jade into the current canon. Non-Legends readers may know her as EU Luke's wife. But long before they even entered into a romantic relationship, she debuted alongside Thrawn in these trilogy of books. Luke's redemption of her is arguably the heart of the story, and the final scene is literally of him giving her his father's lightsaber as her first step into becoming a Jedi. But sometime after that in later stories she chooses to leave the Jedi Academy to become a smuggler, only returning years later where they both confess their feelings. For new canon, just have it so she never comes back (perhaps Luke chooses to keep pushing her away, perhaps out of fear of falling like his father), and she leaves the lightsaber at Maz Kanata's smuggling den, finally explaining how it got there in The Force Awakens. There, fits perfectly. Though I will admit, if these first 3 movies succeed, I do hope they consider allowing a divergence in continuity with the Sequels anyway.

Now truthfully, chances are none of this might happen. But I can hope, and explain why.

DC understood that to have a true rebirth in the cinema, they couldn't just keep ignoring and sidelining their most iconic hero, their symbol of hope.

After years of DC films relegating Superman to mentions, cameos from the waist down and one proper cameo in another person's film, James Gunn and Peter Safran understood that they needed Superman, the one who started it all, for things to begin again. They cast a new Superman, and created a new DC Universe fresh from the mistakes of the past so that fans and the general audience can give them a shot. So far? It's paid off.

So even if the chances are low, a fan like me can hope that Filoni can understand that for Star Wars to have its needed Renaissance, for them to have A New Hope once more, they can do what they've always needed to do since the beginning. Do justice to their iconic hero that started it all when they still can. New stories and characters can absolutely still come concurrently and after. Other parts of the timeline can still be covered. But the best move to unify the fans IMO is to take inspiration from the books that already did what they needed to do on page, but on screen. It doesn't have to be 1:1, it shouldn't, but IMO it should take what actually works and not just the superficial elements. On some level, they understand the importance of the OT characters, as around the same time Galaxy's Edge is finally no longer ST focused, as it's planned to be revamped to have OT characters and classic John Williams music.

So to wrap this up, what does it mean to hope?

As I've alluded to here with both these characters, and repeatedly with posts on Superman in the past:

Hope isn't joy, positivity or peace. I'd argue it's not really the same as optimism either. To hope, one needs to acknowledge there's imperfections in the present. To wish and dream things could be better despite it all. Hope is

"The light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

But to switch from biblical to topical, here's a relevant quote from the final pages of the film novelization of Revenge of the Sith, right after the book describes Luke and Leia finally being kept safe, to be the new hopes for the galaxy even its darkest hour:

"The dark is generous and it is patient and it always wins – but in the heart of its strength lies its weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back.

Love is more than a candle.

Love can ignite the stars.”

- Matthew Stover, Revenge of the Sith

VII. Bonus: DC & Star Wars connections

Some bonus facts and connections between DC and Star Wars I'd like to put here!

Already mentioned this, but John Williams, legendary film music composer, wrote the iconic music for both Star Wars' original 6 film saga, as well as Richard Donner's Superman.

As mentioned, Mark Hamill is also a legendary voice actor, among his many roles is that of being the iconic voice of the Joker, having voiced him in many media including: Batman The Animated Series, TNBA, Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Beyond Return of the Joker, Justice League, the Arkham games, and so many more.
Before Cameron Monaghan voiced the Jedi video game protagonist Cal Kestis, he played both Jerome & Jeremiah Valeska on Gotham, both proto-Jokers, the latter eventually a version of the Joker. Honestly, I'm one of many who consider him already one of The best Joker actors and was a fan even before playing Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor. But he's also not the only SW actor who's voiced Dark Times era force-wielding video game protagonist who's also played a DC role...

I've mentioned him before, but SW great and die-hard fan (who even Dave Filoni was once bested by) Sam Witwer, voice of Galen Marek/Starkiller from The Force Unleashed, Palpatine/Sidious in the same game and others and then both The Son and Darth Maul in TCW and Rebels, also played Davis Bloome/Doomsday on Smallville! He's also voiced Ocean Master in the DCAMU, and had a role on the CW's Supergirl.

Now I'm sure there's a lot more to add (feel free to mention them in comments), but a very relevant one is actually David Corenswet himself, a huge fellow Star Wars nerd. He's memorized entire scenes, including the trench run from ANH which he can recite while listening to the OST while driving. For years he's discussed it now but especially after Superman. His dream role, which he's said he contacted Lucasfilm for, is either a Jedi or an X-wing pilot. He's even talked about reading the EU X-wing novels in the past and talked about his love for Luke Skywalker as a character. Lastly, his favorite rewatch order is the flashback/"modified machete order" (4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6) which I swear is mine too lol, having kept that order for years now. Why? Well, let me copy and paste a recent Reddit comment I made:

After Andor S2 earlier this year, I actually also rewatched Rogue One, and then the 6 main saga films (used to rewatch them all the time as a kid). Since you just did Rogue One, I highly recommend the modified machete/flashback order by the way, which is what I just used:

Episode IV: A New Hope
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

This order lets you start with the actual original SW film from 1977 which Rogue One leads you right into, treats the prequels as a flashback after the iconic twist (spoiler tagging in case you don't know) , and lets you end with the original ending of the saga which now has even more weight from the prequels.

The only problem some bring up is you might spend too much time with the prequels that going back to the OT might be a bit jarring but the way I fixed it this year was by watching 2 movies at a time per day (4 and 5, 1 and 2, and then ending both trilogies with 3 and 6 same day). Really leans into the "it's like poetry, it rhymes" aspect as George Lucas says lol.

I only learned Mr. Corenswet ascribes to this as well soon after this lol.

Well, Lucasfilm, at the very least you need to get this man a role. Getting Superman to be in a Star Wars project is one way to take inspiration from DC right now. Probably not best for Luke, but hey maybe he can be Corran Horn lol.

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