Even though Justice League is now less than two months away, we still know very little about Superman’s role in the movie. While it’s the worst kept secret in the world that the Man of Steel will return from the dead at some point, fans have a lot of questions about what’ll happen once he does. One of the oldest theories goes that the Big Blue Boy Scout will initially turn evil and fight his former allies.
It seems that this idea has been right on the money all along, as a key figure of the production has now let slip some juicy details about Superman’s return. Legendary composer Danny Elfman spoke to Billboard recently to talk about his Justice League score and in the process, he ended up revealing that Superman’s allegiance won’t be as clear cut as you would think.
“I also had two minutes where I had the pleasure of saying, ‘Let’s do John Williams’ Superman’, and that for me was heaven, because now I have a melody to twist, and I’m using it in an actually very dark way, in a dark moment. It’s the kind of thing that some fans will notice. Some won’t. It’s a moment where we’re really not sure whose side he’s on.”
Going by the use of the classic music, it’s a fair bet that Elfman is referring to Superman’s should-be triumphant first scene in Justice League. Why has he gone bad, though? Is he suffering from amnesia after his resurrection, or is he the victim of mind control, probably at the hands of Steppenwolf? Whatever the reason, this will no doubt mark the darkest moment for the League, as their most powerful member turns against them.
On the plus side, John Williams’ classic Superman theme is making a comeback! Despite Hans Zimmer’s none too shabby scores for Man of Steel and Batman V Superman, many fans have lamented the loss of the iconic piece of music that accompanied every Superman movie from 1978’s original to 2006’s Superman Returns. That said, the theme won’t escape the darker edge of the DCEU, as Elfman couldn’t resist giving it a sinister twist.
Justice League arrives in theaters on November 17th.