….
Same Day. Superman Release.
Another corner of the city–
The press junket room was carefully arranged, three chairs positioned in a slight arc, each with its own microphone, facing a row of journalists and cameras.
Soft lighting designed to be flattering without washing out facial features.
The Superman logo is subtly visible on the backdrop behind them.
Regal sat in the center chair, looking more rested than he had in months.
The week off had helped, even if he had only actually taken five days before diving back into work.
To his left sat Henry Cavill, relaxed in a casual blazer over a simple t-shirt.
To his right, Stan Lee wearing his signature tinted glasses and a dress shirt with the top button undone.
The room was packed, with over forty journalists from major outlets around the world. Entertainment Weekly, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, international press from Japan, UK, France, China.
This was the big one, the comprehensive interview that would be quoted and referenced for months.
The moderator, Jessica from Entertainment Tonight, smiled warmly as she settled into her seat across from them.
"Thank you all for being here." she said. "Before we get into Superman, I want to take a brief detour - if you will allow it."
Her eyes shifted to Regal.
"A few years ago, you made a promise during your earlier carrer. You said you intended to make a superhero female-led film. Given everything you have accomplished since then, and the fact that we haven't heard anything about this project... should we assume you have forgotten that promise?"
Her tone was playful, but there was genuine curiosity underneath.
The room quieted, everyone's attention sharpening. This wasn't the expected opening question.
Regal didn't seem bothered. If anything, he looked amused.
"Let's fix one detail first." He said. "I promised a female-led film. I don't remember specifying the superhero part."
A ripple of laughter moved through the room.
"But no." he continued evenly. "I haven't forgotten. And I do intend to keep that promise."
Jessica leaned forward, seizing the opening. "Fair enough. I think the assumption came from the fact that you have made three superhero films back to back. Are you willing to share anything about this project?"
"I could. But I won't." Regal's expression was politely final. "When there's something concrete to announce, you will hear about it through proper channels. For now, just know that I haven't forgotten."
Stan Lee chuckled beside him. "He has learned to play this game too well. Won't give us even a crumb."
"Because crumbs turn into headlines." Regal replied. "And headlines create expectations before the work is actually done."
Jessica nodded. "You have now directed three superhero films, Spider-Man, Iron Man and Superman. Three have been massive critical and commercial successes. What draws you to these characters? Because your approach is distinctly different from what we typically see in the genre."
Regal took a moment to consider his answer, aware that whatever he said would be analyzed and quoted extensively.
"I think superhero stories, when done well, are really just archetypal human stories with the volume turned up."
He continued, warming to the subject. "What draws me to these characters is the potential to explore those themes on a grand scale while still keeping them grounded in emotional truth. I am not interested in making films about gods who happen to look human. I am interested in making films about humans who happen to have extraordinary abilities."
"And that's reflected in every choice the film makes." Jessica observed. "The color palette, the focus on Clark's relationship with Jonathan Kent, even the way the action sequences prioritize saving people over defeating villains. These all feel like deliberate rejections of typical superhero film conventions."
"They are." Regal didn't hesitate. "In my previous... research, let's call it, I watched a lot of superhero films that treated spectacle as the point. Buildings collapsing, cities being destroyed, and the hero barely acknowledging the human cost. That never sat right with me. If you have the power to save people, that should be your first priority, not an afterthought."
Stan Lee was nodding enthusiastically. "That's what Jerry understood when he created Superman. The character was never supposed to be about power fantasy, he was supposed to be about hope. About someone who could do anything using that ability to help others."
Jessica turned her attention to Stan. "Speaking of Jerry Siegel - this film's success is deeply personal for you, isn't it? More so than even Spider-Man or Iron Man?"
Stan's expression shifted, becoming more thoughtful, more genuine than his usual public persona.
"It is." he admitted. "And I will tell you why, even though it's going to sound strange. See, Jerry and I... we were friends, but we were also creative rivals. Marvel and DC, we were always competing, always trying to one-up each other. And honestly?"
He smiled. "I didn't always like his characters. Thought they were too perfect, too god-like. Superman especially. Jerry and I had countless arguments about it."
He paused, adjusting his glasses.
"But he was my friend. And watching this film, seeing what Regal did with Jerry's character... It's like marrying your daughter off to your friend's son. You know the kid might have inherited some of your friend's more questionable characteristics."
The room chuckled. "But you also know he comes from good stock. And you hope he will make your daughter happy."
Stan's voice softened slightly.
"This Superman, the one in Regal's film, he is what Jerry always wanted the character to be but couldn't quite articulate in the medium he was working in. The hope, the humanity, the cost of heroism. It's all there. And I am genuinely happy about that, even if it means admitting that maybe Jerry was onto something all those years ago when we were arguing."
The room had gone quiet, the journalists recognizing they had just witnessed something rare, Stan Lee being completely sincere.
Jessica let the moment breathe before moving forward. "There have been persistent rumors about Marvel and DC heroes appearing together in films. Joint ventures. Can you address those?"
Stan grinned, immediately deflecting. "That's a question for our young genius here. Regal's the one actually making the films. I just cash the checks."
All eyes turned to Regal, who had clearly expected this.
"All we can do." he said with practiced neutrality. "Is wait and see."
"That's not an answer." Jessica pressed.
"It's the only answer you are getting." Regal smiled slightly. "I am not going to confirm or deny rumors about films that may or may not be in development. What I will say is that the MDCU is designed to be expansive. We're building something that can contain multiple tones, multiple types of stories. Whether that eventually includes team-ups or crossovers... we will see."
Jessica recognized she wouldn't get more than that and shifted topics.
"Henry, you worked extensively with Stephen Hawking Sr. on this film. I know he is not here today, but I have to ask, what was that experience like?"
Henry had been expecting this question. Anyone who had watched him in interviews over the past week could tell he'd been preparing for it.
But as he started to speak, the preparation seemed to fall away.
"I was expecting this question from the day I first learned who was going to play Jonathan Kent." he began. "And believe me, I prepared. Spent sleepless nights coming up with answers that would sound intelligent and professional. And I still don't have a perfect one."
He leaned forward slightly, his usual charm replaced by genuine earnestness.
"What I will say is this: I watched the pinnacle of a craft. That's the only way I can describe it. But more than that, I witnessed a person who I thought had already reached the pinnacle take another step forward. And that was honestly a wake-up call for a B-list actor like me."
"You are not B-list." Jessica interjected.
"I was before this film." Henry corrected gently. "I have done supporting roles, some television work. I was competent. But watching Stephen work taught me that there's no end to learning, no point where you can say 'I have mastered this.' Every scene we did together, he was discovering new layers in the character, new ways to make moments land."
He paused, searching for the right words.
"It was mesmerizing watching Mr. Hawking act. Not just the final performance on screen, but the process. The way he would try a line reading five different ways, adjusting tiny details until it felt exactly right. The way he would listen when Regal gave direction, and then incorporate that while still maintaining his own interpretation."
"And you had to match that level of performance." Jessica observed.
"I had to try. I don't know if I succeeded, but I tried." Henry smiled self-deprecatingly. "There's a moment in that scene where I am supposed to react to what Jonathan just said, and on the take we used, I wasn't acting anymore. I was genuinely responding to what Stephen was giving me. That's how powerful his work is, it pulls real reactions out of you."
Regal spoke up. "Henry's being modest. He held his own against one of the greatest actors of all time. The chemistry between them is what makes that relationship work. Jonathan Kent could have been played as just stern and protective. Henry made sure Clark felt like a real person struggling with real questions, which gave Stephen something concrete to respond to."
Jessica made notes, then looked up. "Henry, there's been speculation about Superman appearing in other MDCU films. Can you confirm whether we will see you in any future projects?"
Henry laughed. "I can confirm that I have signed a contract with multiple film options, which is standard. Beyond that, I can't tell you anything because I genuinely don't know. Regal plays his cards very close to the chest."
"As he should." Stan added. "The moment you start confirming every rumor, you lose the ability to surprise audiences. And surprises are what make this fun."
The interview continued for another forty minutes, questions about specific scenes, about the visual effects, about the decision to use practical effects wherever possible, about the color grading that had become such a talking point online.
Henry talked about the physical training, the wire work, the challenge of conveying emotion through a performance while also doing superhero action sequences.
Regal discussed his collaboration with Leo Martinez on cinematography, with Ludwig Göransson on the score, with the VFX teams who brought Krypton to life.
Stan told stories about Jerry Siegel, about the early days of MarvelD Comics.
Finally, Jessica asked her closing question.
"Looking ahead, and I know you won't give specific details, but what's your vision for where the MDCU goes from here? What can audiences expect?"
Regal considered the question carefully.
"More stories that matter." he said finally. "That's the only promise I can make. Whether it's Superman or Spider-Man or any future character we introduce, the goal remains the same: tell stories that have emotional truth at their core. Make audiences feel something genuine. Create moments that stay with people after they leave the theater."
He paused. "Superhero films are having a cultural moment right now. They dominate the box office, they're everywhere in popular culture. But that moment won't last forever unless we as filmmakers respect what we're making. Unless we treat these characters and their stories as worthy of real artistic effort."
"So no empty spectacle?" Jessica asked with a slight smile.
"No empty spectacle." Regal confirmed.
Stan nodded approvingly. "That's why I trust this kid with my characters. Well, Jerry's characters too." He winked. "Even if I still think Marvel heroes are better."
She wrapped it up with the question everyone expected whenever Regal was onstage.
"One last, obvious one, can you share anything about what's next? Either upcoming projects or what's currently in production at LIE Studios?"
Regal nodded, already prepared for it.
"Sure. At LIE Studio, we have got The Matrix with Keanu Reeves, Deadpool with everyone's favorite Green Lantern, and the fourth Harry Potter film moving forward."
He paused, then added, almost casually. "But after this one, I am planning to take a short break."
That earned a laugh from beside him.
"You better." Stan Lee said, shaking his head. "Even superheroes need to rest, kid."
The room laughed, and Jessica thanked them for their time.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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