Superhero Sagas Ditch Origin Stories for Fresh Narratives

The superhero genre has long been dominated by origin stories, but that trend is now shifting. Recent high-profile releases, such as James Gunn's "Superman" and Matt Shakman's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," have opted to start their narratives after the titular heroes have already become established.

This approach allows filmmakers to dive straight into the action and character development, rather than spending time recounting well-known backstories. In "Superman," the film opens with the hero already having crash-landed on Earth, grappled with his powers, and taken on the mantle of protector of Metropolis. Similarly, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" introduces the superhero team four years after their fateful spaceflight.

By skipping the origin story, these films are able to focus on more engaging and fresh storytelling, exploring the heroes' relationships, challenges, and adventures. This trend is a welcome shift, as it allows audiences to experience the stories from a different perspective and avoids the repetition of familiar tropes.

The move away from origin stories is also seen in other recent superhero projects, such as Matt Reeves' "The Batman," which assumes the audience's familiarity with the Caped Crusader's backstory. This approach not only streamlines the narrative but also opens up new creative possibilities for filmmakers and writers to explore the characters in unique and compelling ways.