He was "Superman."

The character quickly became more than just an entertaining distraction from the woes of the era. He became an American symbol, and one that lasted for decades in the minds of the American people. It's a character that is still around today, though through egregious mishandling paired with studio-born errors, the character has taken more than a few blows to its popularity. 

Still, something about Superman lives on in the minds of the people. Despite all the failed attempts at bringing him into the modern era, people still hold onto the idea of what and who Superman is. In fact, I'd say that's one of the biggest reasons modern Superman media fails. It keeps trying to "update" Superman, but Superman is timeless. He didn't need it. 

But now, director and DCU head James Gunn is going to take his swing at the Man of Steel, and if I'm being completely honest, I'm hopeful. As I wrote on the newly released trailer on Thursday, Gunn is bringing his unique style but seems to be keeping it old school. 

(READ: The New Superman Trailer Gives the Impression That James Gunn Is Finally Going to Make DC Great Again)

"He is kindness in a world that think of kindness as old-fashioned," said Gunn's co-CEO Peter Safran. 

Actually, that's not the whole quote. Let me give it to you, because I think this is what truly makes me think Gunn is about to knock Superman out of the park. 

It’s not an origin story. It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned."

Did you catch that? 

This is the signal that Superman is being returned to being Superman and what the character ultimately is, an ideal and a symbol. He is the representation of the real America, not the one that's been sold to us by people who hate it. 

Superman is strong, good, and does what's right. He is what we strive to be as a people, even if we can't fly around and lift impossibly heavy things. 

And here is where Gunn can really do something special. This movie could be more than a Superman film, it could be a sign of the times. 

We currently find ourselves in a transitional state as a country, just like we were when Superman first appeared, but this time we're moving into a brighter age. Moreover, in this age, we seem to be remembering who we are as a country. We've elected leaders with a mandate to return America to greatness, push out the bloat and corruption, and return to truth, justice, and the American way. 

Simultaneously, we could be seeing the honest return of an American symbol that represents these things. 

If Gunn can capture that wind, his movie would capture that feeling of a return to strength and goodness, making this Superman movie and the launch of the new DC Universe something far greater than another Superhero lineup. As I said, his new pro-America, pro-strength, pro-old fashioned values hero would be a sign of the times. 

America is back, and so is Superman. 

This would be fantastic for the culture overall. Children would associate Superman with this new era, and that figure could glue them to that belief, as many heroes in stories do. It would be an absolutely beautiful thing. 

Of course, that's all if Gunn can capture this moment with the movie. I really hope he does. I feel like Americans could use something like that.  

I'm rooting for Gunn. I make it no secret that I'm a fan of his. I think his work has been brilliant, especially in the MCU with the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies. moreover, he proved that he's well-aware of what's happening outside of Hollywood and what the people want. For instance, while Disney was trying to be as woke as possible, Gunn created Guardians 3 as a standalone film that didn't have any politics in it at all, showing that he was smarter than the rest of them. 

Along with Safran's quote, this is all a good sign that this upcoming movie could really be something special. 

I hope it is.