James Gunn‘s Superman has taken flight at the box office. The highly anticipated superhero tentpole, from DC Studios and Warner Bros., earned $22.5 million in Thursday previews and other sneak showings at the North American box office.

Every era gets the Superman it needs. James Gunn's version — sincere, inspiring and idealistic — will make you want to cheer.

The director of the new DC superhero movie — and the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films — told the Star he took a more optimistic approach to the character.