With the increased interest in Brightburn on Netflix, isn’t it time the superhero horror movie got a sequel, Brightburn 2?
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Relatively speaking, most superhero films follow the same basic plot structure we’ve seen in action blockbusters over the years. Eventually, seeing the hero’s journey play out with some minimal differences becomes boringly predictable, as is the case with most superhero origin films we’ve seen so far.
However, what if we took the basic formula of a superhero and made it into some kind of superpowered nightmare? That’s the terrifying idea behind 2019’s Brightburn, a horror film about what would happen if Superman wasn’t as nice as he is in the comics.
Directed by David Yarovesky (Nightbooks, The Hive), written by Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn and produced by James Gunn (Suicide Squad, Guardians of the Galaxy), Brightburn is the perfect mix between a superhero film and an entertaining horror flick. Even more impressive is that the movie works perfectly well as the basis for a dark-themed cinematic universe – a possibility that’s further explored by the end of the film.
An Evil Justice League
Starring a strong cast that includes Elizabeth Banks as Tori Breyer, David Denman as Kyle Breyer, Jackson A. Dunn as Brandon Breyer, Abraham Clinkscales as Royce, Christian Finlayson as Fauxhaw, Jennifer Holland as Ms. Espenschied, Emmie Hunter as Caitlyn, Matt Jones as Noah McNichol, Meredith Hagner as Merilee McNichol, Becky Wahlstrom as Erika and Gregory Alan Williams as Sheriff Deever, Brightburn follows many of the classic Superman tropes we’re familiar with: an alien boy crash lands on a farm in the middle of rural America. However, this “Kryptonian” has nothing to do with the Man of Steel, as young Brandon Breyer becomes an unstoppable killing machine upon discovering his powers.
The rest of the film sees the destruction that a superhuman could cause if they decided to become a force of ultimate evil. Hell-bent on the destruction of the human race, who’s to stop Brandon in a world where superheroes don’t exist?
After the film’s climactic final moments, Brandon is free to do with the world as he pleases – and judging by his unsettling drawings, that boy might just end up bringing forth the apocalypse.
He’s not alone, however, as a small dialogue near the end of the movie (during a credits scene) reveals. A YouTuber announces that there are reports of a sea creature overturning boats and a witch that uses a lasso to strangle people.
These ramblings might be referencing two classic DC characters, namely Aquaman and Wonder Woman. Also included is an image of the Crimson Bolt, which was another of James Gunn’s creations and is intended as a Batman parody.
All of this leaves us with the possibility of Brightburn 2 being about an evil version of the Justice League, as they wreak havoc on the human race. However, that might be a bit of a one-sided fight, wouldn’t it? That’s why we believe that the sequel to Brightburn might go differently.
A Brightburn Sequel
Superman’s motto has always been “truth, justice, and the American way.” In Brightburn, Brandon stands for the complete opposite of Superman’s core values, but that isn’t something that we haven’t seen in comic book fiction in recent years.
Invincible is a show that’s gained some immense popularity this year, and it also features an evil version of Superman at the centre of its plot. Omni-Man took the internet by storm and quickly became one of the most popular deconstructions of Superman in popular culture.
If we take a look at how Omni-Man’s story plays out in the Invincible comics, we might have a clue of how a possible Brightburn 2 could play out.
Exactly like in the show, Omni-Man starts as a villain that’s decided to conquer the Earth in the name of his species. However, through constant sacrifice and love, Omni-Man becomes one of Earth’s staunchest protectors, even paying the ultimate prize for it and his family.
While it might be a bit too late for Brandon’s family, it just goes to show just how full of storytelling potential the Brightburn universe is. Perhaps it’s time that we got a new superhero universe: one that’s not based on comics and where anything can happen. A Brightburn sequel could be filled with interesting surprises.
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Is Brightburn DC or Marvel?
Strictly speaking, Brightburn doesn’t belong to either DC or Marvel. Released by Sony Pictures, the movie stands on its own as one of those rare superhero films that are not based on any pre-existing comic book properties. Even though some clear parallels could be drawn between Brightburn and some of DC’s most emblematic franchises, this horror film has no attachment to any of the two predominant comic book imprints.
That said, if we consider not only the noticeable references to Superman but also some of the thematic choices in the movie’s plot, it would be easy to picture a potential Brightburn comic belonging to the DC universe.
Perhaps the most convincing argument that Brightburn would definitely belong in the DC comics universe is that the core idea behind the film is something that the comic book adventures of the Man of Steel have explored multiple times in the past. One of the most clear-cut examples of this would be 2017’s DC House of Horror – a haunting one-shot comic that reimagined some of the members of the Justice League as monstrous versions of themselves.
Bump in the Night is eerily similar to Brightburn’s plot, with the only exception being that this version of Superman is even more sadistic and downright evil than anything Brandon Breyer could have imagined.
Of course, this could change in a Brightburn sequel. Brandon could match the evil of Bump in the Night.
What The Plot For Brightburn 2 Could Be
If Brightburn was a villain origin story, it stands to reason that a potential Brightburn 2 would be the “team-up” event for the franchise. This is something that the movie itself teased as it nears its conclusion, with a conspiracy theorist reporting that several superpowered individuals are wreaking havoc all over the world.
Much like Iron Man came before The Avengers, Brightburn 2 would most likely have to deal with Brandon – now known as “Brightburn” – and his new role as a full-blown genocidal villain. He’s not alone, however, as this world’s version of the Justice League might be willing to give him a hand in his quest to eradicate humanity.
However, it could also be possible that – considering Brandon was raised as a human by loving parents (Elizabeth Banks as Tori Breyer and David Denman as Kyle Breyer) – something might click deep inside Brightburn, prompting him to become a sort of antihero. Sounds a bit cheesy, but at least it makes a bit of narrative sense considering the events of the first film.
Another possible theory is that Brandon’s change of heart might just be a massive red herring in a potential Brightburn sequel. After all, having Brightburn suddenly become a hero, no matter how justified it is in the plot, would go against the original film’s narrative. We must also consider that the ending of Brightburn – when Brandon kills his mother – makes it clear that the boy is past the possibility of redemption.
More than likely, a sequel would follow a group of survivors in the new world as they strive for survival against the Brightburn-led army of supervillains. With Brandon’s only weakness – his spaceship – presumably destroyed at the end of the first movie, Brightburn 2 paints a rather grim picture for anyone who goes against Brandon.
What Are The Similarities Between Brandon Breyer and Clark Kent?
Brandon Breyer (played by Jackson A. Dunn) is, essentially, Kal-El. Brightburn does not try to hide the many parallels between the two characters – in fact, these similarities might be integral to the film’s plot. One of the reasons why the horror in Brightburn is so effective is because fans are used to seeing Superman as a paragon of justice and all that is good – whereas Brightburn stands for the complete opposite.
Both characters are aliens who end up being raised by a childless couple in a fictional town in Kansas. While Clark Kent learns all about truth, justice, and the American way, Brandon is brought up in a more contemporary manner – the kind you’d expect any real-life kid to receive. It’s not that Brandon’s parents were poor role models– it’s just that you’d hardly come across an idealist like Jonathan Kent (or any of the Kents) in real life.
Another similarity between Brandon and Clark is that, while they both belong to an alien species, they appear almost entirely humanoid. Unlike some other extraterrestrial DC characters, like Martian Manhunter, Supes has always been only a regular man with superhuman powers. However, in Brandon’s case, these similarities might serve a much darker purpose, as it might have been the aliens’ idea of a bioweapon that could infiltrate a planet’s population relatively unnoticed, at least until his powers manifested themselves.
Beyond the biological similarities, Clark and Brandon also share a common fondness for the colour red, and for falling in love with a classmate. While Clark’s story with Lana Lang is the usual comic book romance, Brandon’s obsession with Caitlyn serves as one of the movie’s darkest subplots.
It’s also important to remember that there are multiple versions of Clark Kent in the DC Comics multiverse. If we were to compare Brandon to a single version of the Man of Steel, we’d have to pick the Clark Kent from Earth-Prime, better known as Superboy-Prime. Both characters are dangerous superpowered individuals, with the only difference being that, deep down, Superboy-Prime still considers himself a “Superman,” while Brightburn is simply downright evil in nature.
One thing is for certain, we’re not in Smallville anymore.
How Has Brightburn Changed The Superhero Genre?
Despite how visually creative superhero films can be, most of the flicks in the genre follow the same tried-and-true formula – a situation that has caused some fans to lose interest in the plethora of comic book films released each year. To a point, seeing the same stories play out exactly the same way time after time can be exhausting, which is why Brightburn proves to be so effective for fans of horror movies and superhero movies.
Brightburn – and Joker, to the same extent – also proved something that both DC and Marvel seem reticent to acknowledge: there’s a market not only for superhero movies, but also for villains. Even now, with movies like Black Adam set to introduce the titular character as an antihero rather than a pure villain, mainline superhero films stick to what they do best, instead of trying to do something entirely new with the genre as Brightburn did.
Whether or not Brightburn changed the rules for the superhero genre remains to be seen – but the same can’t be said about the horror genre. The movie introduced a completely fresh concept to the mix: no longer were ghosts or conventional monsters the bad guys in a horror flick. Brightburn is a horror film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe generation.
With all that said, that would be the most significant indicator we have that a Brightburn 2 might be somewhere in the pipeline. At its core, Brightburn is a play on what we expect from modern movies, and a crucial part of superhero films is that they must, in almost every case, come with a sequel.
The next – and possibly the last – Guardians of the Galaxy film is slated for release next year, which should leave James Gunn with plenty of time to work on the next entry in the Brightburn saga.
Brightburn was the antithesis not just to Superman – but to the entire superhero genre. It’s a concept that some of the most notorious comic book writers, from Mark Millar to Alan Moore, have explored some time in the past, but only Brightburn has successfully turned it into an outstanding superhero film that didn’t need any comic books as a reference to become one of the most iconic examples of the genre released in the last decade.
There is currently no announcement, movie trailer or release date for Brightburn 2.
FAQs About Brightburn 2 Answered
Is Brightburn 2 coming?
As of the time of writing, there has been no official announcement about a Brightburn sequel. However, director David Yarovesky has expressed interest in continuing the story, and producer James Gunn has said that he has ideas for how to expand the Brightburn universe. In a 2019 interview with Screen Rant, Yarovesky said, “I think there are definitely more stories to be told in this universe. And if the audience wants it, we’d be thrilled to tell those stories.”
Who is Brightburn’s enemy?
In the first film, Brightburn’s enemies are the people of his small town, who he terrorizes and kills as he comes to realize the full extent of his powers. However, it’s possible that future films could introduce other enemies for Brightburn to face. For example, in a post-credits scene in the first film, a mysterious figure is shown examining Brightburn’s ship, hinting at the possibility of an alien antagonist in a potential sequel.
What is Brightburn Superman?
Brightburn has often been described as a “dark” or “evil” version of Superman. This comparison is based on the fact that Brightburn, like Superman, is an alien who crash-lands on Earth and gains superhuman abilities. However, while Superman is known for using his powers to protect humanity, Brightburn uses his powers to hurt and kill people.
Does DC own Brightburn?
No, DC Comics does not own Brightburn. The character and story were created by David Yarovesky and Brian Gunn, with no involvement from DC Comics or its parent company, Warner Bros. However, because of the similarities between Brightburn and Superman, some fans have speculated that DC could potentially try to take legal action against the creators of Brightburn. So far, no such action has been taken.
Is Brightburn a Kryptonian?
In the film, Brightburn’s origins are never fully explained, but it’s strongly suggested that he is an alien from another planet. However, unlike Superman, who is a Kryptonian, Brightburn’s specific species is never revealed. This allows the filmmakers to create their own unique take on the superhero origin story, rather than being constrained by established comic book lore.
What is Brightburn’s weakness?
Brightburn has a few weaknesses that are revealed in the first film. Like Superman, he is vulnerable to a material called “Kryptonite” – in Brightburn’s case, this is a shard of his own ship that is discovered by his adoptive mother. Additionally, Brightburn’s powers are linked to his psychological state, and he is vulnerable to emotional manipulation. In the film, his adoptive mother attempts to use his love for her to control his actions, with mixed results.
How strong is Brightburn?
Brightburn’s strength is shown to be nearly limitless in the first film. He is able to lift cars, planes, and even a tanker truck with ease. He can also fly and has superhuman speed and durability. However, because he is still a child, he is not yet fully in control of his powers, and his lack of experience sometimes causes him to make mistakes. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, his psychological state can affect the strength of his powers.
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If anybody at Sony reads this PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE A BRIGHTBURN 2. I WOULD PAY $500 to watch BRIGHTBURN 2. I stumbled on that movie while flicking through all of the horrible movies on streaming platforms and I was amazed. That has the potential to create a whole world of movies that will just get more popular with each movie. Streaming movies and movies in the theatres are sooooo horrible nowadays. Please save us Sony!!!!!!!!
Indeed I would!
Yes I would!
Hell yeah