The most popular superheroes character are the ones with everyday problems because despite there powers they are just like us, you know? Relatable interesting. I feel like this is a very 40s view of the superhero genre.

He seems to have a pretty good understanding of how superheroes worked in the 40s and 50s but it sounds like he’s never even seen a Marvel movie. Stan Lee’s whole thing was rejecting that notion and making his superheroes feel like real people with normal human problems and the MCU understands this. If superhero stories were only about how big the villain could get, they would’ve died out no later than the 60s or 70s.

Russell is partially right. Superheroes CAN be wounded as the comment section proves, but the plot device he describes is valid as well. I think that what we recognize today as superheroes are much more complex than they were due to the mixing and matching of story concepts. The original superman comics follow much closer to Russell's idea. An overpowered dude who provided entertainment anytime he was put to the test by a clever villain. While he did have a wound which made him want to become a hero, the individual episodes of Superman rarely referenced these and instead used the wound as a simple backstory. All I would suggest is that we don't write off his advice so quickly. Instead, combine and mix and match to create something complex enough to fit what the story requires.

I always enjoy Russell’s comments on writing, but I have to disagree. Just looking at the MCU alone, we know heroes have core wounds and is why these characters have resonated for the past ten years. Tony Stark (Iron Man) has deep core wounds that are expressed through his suit of literal armor (something which he wants to extend to the world). Thor has to continuously prove his ‘worthiness’ to lift mjolnir, yet deems himself unworthy to lead his people, and when he does finally lead, fails in protecting them and avenging them. Steve Rogers (Captain America) has to constantly battle his past with his present, both literally and figuratively, while holding onto a set of values out of synch in the modern era. And it goes on... I think Russell should pick up a few old comic books. 😉

The people in these comments saying "But Superheroes HAVE core wounds blah blah" are totally wrong and Peter Russel is totally right. The villain drives the story in superhero stories. The core wound is secondary and has already been healed by becoming a superhero. How often do you see Batman actually dealing with the loss of his parents. Never. Because he's already dealt with it by becoming Batman. The problem is always whatever the villain is doing. The best Batman stories have nothing to do with his parents. In most Superhero stories, the way they dealt with a core wound is by being Superheroes.

Mr. Russel, I implore you to watch superhero stories such as the Marvel Netflix versions of Daredevil and Jessica Jones. The entire point is the wounds they bleed for 3 seasons each. Heck even Spider-Man. Most superheros are all about core wounds. Do your homework.

I agree with lifting heavier and heavier weights but to say that super heroes aren't wounded is absolutely wrong lol

Literally just 5.31 of this guy telling us how good he is...

Peter Russell's a fascinating dude! Always enjoy seeing his name on your posts Film Courage.

“Superheroes aren’t wounded.” Um, what?

I think it depends on the superhero and which point in the story. If you take Spider-Man, in many incarnations Peter Parker's core wound is that he's not strong or popular enough. Then when he becomes Spider-Man and gets the girl his core wound is remembering the loss of his uncle Ben and what would happen to Mary Jane or Gwen Stacy when captured or had run ins with the villains etc. But each of those core wounds happen at various and different points in the story. In Spider-Man 2 in the scene where Peter tells Aunt May - his core wound is that he has kept what happened to uncle Ben for so long and that process is a step to Peter Parker healing. I will say what Peter talks about is also true but if they didn't have any wounds we couldn't be interested. His theories are for and of any movie or story.

Oh, wow, a lot of people are disagreeing and, yeah, but there’s more to it or there’s more that I’m seeing anyway. What he’s saying, that’s how you raise the stakes with a superhero, yeah, no doubt. You have to keep raising those stakes to a new, super high level, and doing it by using a different side of the spectrum usually makes it more interesting. Super strength versus super intelligence, a master of the psychic versus a master of magnetism, good versus evil, are all good examples. He’s not saying to take out the other stuff like the flaws and the inner journey. It’s like looking at Aragorn alongside Frodo. Frodo and Sam have the same conflict the whole time. Throw the ring into the fires of Mordor. They’re not superheroes. Even though Frodo has a magic ring, he’s not a superhero. He does have some of those superhero traits, though, and some of those non-super traits (and that is super compelling). There are ups and downs, sure, yeah, but the main conflict/goal is the same throughout. Aragorn is increasingly challenged by new threats, on new paths, that are bigger and completely different than the last, from without and within (it’s a tiny bit different with Aragorn because he’s becoming a great king - king is different than superhero, but still) and has to overcome them, or we won’t see him as a superhero or a king - again, king is different than superhero and Aragorn is both, damn, wow. Does that make sense? I think that makes sense.

What a delightful soul

Does he speak more about superhero stories? I would love to watch a longer video on that.

By this logic, the Sword and Sandels genre is pretty superheroic. Or the Pirate Swashbuckler. But heroes from these genres also have wounds to heal

3:41 *When the superhero is sus* 😳

All super hero stories are made for people with serious social and personal issue, however these people who have these severe disorders have managed to accept it in their life and integrate it and by extension those people are able function as normal members of society. But they are not normal none the less.

I think he's wrong. The best superheroes are wounded. Healing themselves as well as overcoming what the villain throws their way is what's appealing.

With respect, if you've ever heard Stan Lee talk about superheroes you'd immediately understand that he wanted superheroes to be a metaphor for their own flaws and, yes, wounds. Without those RELATABLE wounds - those films simply wouldn't have been as successful as they were.

It's good to listen to different points of view on the same matter. Yes, He's right about the foundational concept of the superhero; then there is the successful subversion of the concept by Stan Lee. So, which one suits your story?

we can talk about this later if you'd like

Some superheroes do have wounds but even then we're still watching to see them overcome bigger odds each time, the two are not mutually exclusive

Oh! The times have changed sir! Modern day super hero stories take a different approach. Nevertheless, you are a kind soul!

Do you guys think that control over quantum physics entirely is too overpowered? If so, then reply with some good drawbacks so there can be some development and character arcs. Thanks

This sounds a lot like mary sue / gary sue. Lol I thought we all partially agree that they make poor characters. Especially love how condescending he is about it haha. I strongly believe superhero movies were able to properly become a thing with superheroes that hurt and had internal problems. Look at Iron Man. One of if not THE best big screen superhero. Look how much internal shit he goes through. Yet he's one of the most beloved characters.

Fantastic interview!! Thank you.

Also, Jack Johnson is a real person with real history, idk, that seems like a different thing altogether lol kind of

Maybe it's because I'm a girl, but a superhero's biggest problem being a villain is soooo boring to me. It's so cliche, I can't even finish (DC mostly). I'm longing to see a superhero movie, where she/he is dealing with the things everyday humans do. Because *physical strength can't solve most problems.* The most compelling thing about Buffy was the problems in her life that could only be solved with conversations, compassion, strength of character, personal sacrifice and wit. Her superpowers *complicated the human experience,* adding delicious conflict. I would actually fast forward most fight scenes to get back to the compelling plot.

I can’t wait for this superhero bubble to burst.

Lmao he just says he uses his tools, that was the only “secret” lol

My film Superheroic chronicles Josephine Warren, an 27 year old Manhattan New York City native and acting scholar at Manhattan New York City's Dreamers Academy, whose greater dream was to enroll at the University of Southern California's Annenberg Film Directing School and acting school. Growing up, she had to go through occupational early intervention speech therapy (due to Josephine's mild High Functioning Aspergers Autism), which many of her critics never believed she would survive. No matter what adversity was presented to Josephine, she always stayed brave, she always never gave up, and she always kept on going (the recipe to an Academy Award), but she never knew that that was the formula for success in film and the real world. Josephine is also biracial, an LGBTQQIA +/- ally, an Times Up Now ambassador, an End Violence Against Women Coalition ambassador, a global gender equality ambassador, an global human rights equality ambassador, and a Wonder Woman in her own right for her US and Israel. Josephine, gets her first audition rejection ever in New York City trying out for a film called Superheroic; Her acting teacher was Madeleine Hightower, the top film directing scout and acting scout across New York. After Madeleine, said, Josephine's audition did not make it to callbacks, Josephine, thought her film directing USC degree dream and Oscar Academy best film director winner dream was over for good...that is, until, an close friend of Madeleine Hightower, announced to Josephine that she got accepted full ride into USC's film directing school. Reed Warren, Josephine's younger brother, Sandra Warren's brother, and Michaela Warren's brother, was thrilled Josephine got accepted, but Josephine's inspiring and amazing big break came, during Josephine Warren's finals presentation day, in front of an Oscar Academy Award Winning film director and a renowned USC professor of film and film editing. During the end of Josephine's presentation, Josephine meets, decorated five star Navy Seals Admiral and Marines Lieutenant Phoenix Arizona Aviation Pilot commander Admiral Mr. Vincent Everett, who too had overcome constant experiences with adversity and roadblocks in the Phoenix Arizona skies and as a army commander (as he recounted experiences where he would overcome obstacles courses drenched with knee high sand dunes and other barriers). In the middle of Superheroic, Josephine immigrates from Los Angeles California and earns her Israeli citizenship (in Jerusalem), and Vincent Everett immigrates to Israel as well; However, an emergency combat mission brings Vincent back into the frontlines, and Josephine does not realize that Admiral Everett cannot win his battle against injustice alone. At the end of Superheroic, Josephine helps Phoenix Arizona nurse Greta Patrick heal Admiral Everett's wounds, just when the final ER Paramedics team reached Everett with only one nanosecond to spare. Josephine, in spite everything she endured, received her USC Film Directing degree, and received an honorary Lieutenant Phoenix Arizona Army Commander Five Star Admiral military leader status as a captain while additionally saving Admiral Everett's life. Before the ending credits of Superheroic would roll, Josephine heard she was nominated for an Oscar Academy Award, one year after she saves Admiral Everett. The ending of my film culminated with Josephine receiving her Oscar in Beverly Hills Los Angeles, and Josephine being hailed a Wonder Woman, an world superhero, and an inspiring woman, an reality, Josephine could have never imagined arriving to, the year she was born, when her parents Trisha and Alexis Warren (West Point Naval Academy Graduate Alums) noticed that Josephine had a disability since she was born, and her parents never paid attention to it, as they never saw their daughter's disability as a flaw. Inclusion and love, and kindness and compassion, Josephine's leadership qualities, were what led her to her Oscar Winning speech in LA, and her inspiring billions of lives along the way. If the world is ready to see Superheroic and is ready for me to produce my Oscar Academy Winning film, I am ready to share my inspiring story with the Oscars Academy of Beverly Hills California; The Academy prides itself on love and inclusion and voting for stories told based on the virtues of gratitude, love, kindness, compassion, inclusion, democracy, grace, hope, courage, bravery, and inspiration. I have shared my story with Mrs. Gal Gadot, Oscar Academy Winner Lady Gaga (who is also from New York from Manhattan where I used to be from many years ago), Emma Stone, Oscar Winner Reese Witherspoon, Oscar Winner Anne Hathaway, Oscar Winner Matthew McConaughey, Emma Watson, Oscar Nominated Film Director Mrs. Greta Gerwig (Directed Ladybird), Ms. Saoirse Ronan (Lead in Ladybird), Oscar Nominated Actress Mrs. Margot Robbie, Mr Jimmy Fallon, Mr. John Stewart (Late Night Show and Partner of the Largest Pro Autism Legal Justice Nonprofit in the Entire United States), Mrs. Oprah Winfrey, Mr. Guy Nattiv Oscar Winner from Tel Aviv Israel and Los Angeles, Mrs. Jaime Ray Newman from Los Angeles California (originally from Tel Aviv), Oscar Winner Mrs. Cate Blanchett, Oscar Winner Mrs. Sandra Bullock, Mrs. Barbra Streisand, Oscar Winner Mrs. Meryl Streep, Four Time Oscar Winning Film Director Mr. Alfonso Cuaron, Mr. Leonardo Dicaprio, Mr. Tom Cruise, Mr. Tom Hanks, and to all the inspiring people in my life who I love. It is now up to my uplifting and loving role models and superhero leadership inspirations of my life to decide, that my film and story, is worth telling, because, it is something, the whole world and the Oscars Academy will be deeply moved by and deeply inspired by. I will, without a doubt, hoist my Oscars Academy trophy at Beverly Hills Los Angeles' Dolby Theater), and I will first thank my mother's late mother from Mosul Baghdad Iraq Salima Chai, from Mosul Iraq who gave birth to my Jerusalem Israeli Jewish real life mother from South Miami. Without my late grandmother, my mother is no Wonder Woman. Without my mother, I am no human being. I know who I fight for. The entire backbone of my human life is dedicated to the values of love, kindness, courage, hope, faith, compassion, and eternal gratitude. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b9dmaNV20LG3p4E.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/osuVl9mTqrKYfmQ.html “A great director gives life to a work of art- gives it a heartbeat… a pulse… opens its eyes to the world.” ― A.D. Posey.

Begins at 2:37

Which story did this person write? I mean, which super hero story??

He's thinking super man, and thinks every hero needs to be a super man.

Usually the deeper the core wounds, the darker the story. Batman has heavy core wounds which makes his story dark. Superman has no core wounds really which makes his story light. Just depends how dark you want the story.

Actually, the most compelling Buffy episodes were showing her pain after she had to kill the man she loved to save the world. No gigantic villain, just her trying to live every day, saving people's lives and putting on a brave face, pretending she wasn't dying inside.

While I respect his experience, the classic superhero no longer exists. There is nothing like that now, because we're in an era of media where we want our characters to be nuanced and interesting. The past is the past, we learned to tell better stories, move on.

with a real life person he doesnt have to make anything up especially in the era jack johnson lived. its man vs man, man vs society etc. he mentioned old superheroes because most of the marvel heroes have that wound where as dc superheroes dont other than batman.

What a boring superhero that would give All the biggest superheros are wounded, that is precisely their biggest challenge. They can be strong - lift that rock. That isn't in question most of the times. Is - can their will and morals be enough to beat evil Swear, not denying this man's writing skills, but this advice on superheroes is the biggest bullshit I've ever heard

Another great video! AND another answer in short of "It depends"... Targeting younger or inexperienced and "childishly simplistic" audiences, the need for a Super- is likened to mythology. Superman's early years were fairly reckless, in his pursuit of justice and protection for the mere mortals around him. The origin story didn't change much over the years, BUT it was later, as his first iterations fell out of favor (and some weird progresses socially were ongoing about that same period) that the ever-infamous discovery was made that Kryptonite iconically robbed Superman of his powers and eventually (in some versions anyway) even his life. What happened? The man who was stronger and faster than anything imaginable just wasn't interesting anymore if he was invincible... simple as that. BUT what's that got to do with core wounds??? ONLY literally everything. But when dealing with creatures that borderline true immortality, godly strengths and durability, the core wounds that we "mere mortals" conjure up for them are simple enough to resolve... just live long enough and they heal... After all, they are only wounds. It seems kind of petty, but it's "do-able". I'd like to point out here, that Core Wounds CAN be crushing, BUT they do NOT have to be. ANY Character's Core Wound can also be subtle... secretive, or obscure. It can seem like such a lesser (petty?) thing to you and me, but for whatever reason it's been kept secret in intro'... We're self-investing in this character when we (audience...btw) find out about it, and we WILL accept that it's just as important and detrimental to us as the Character makes it out to be affecting him/her... The same principle works out in Supers. Peter Parker, famed as Spiderman. WOUNDS out his Wazoo! He was bitten as a teen... by a radioactive spider in a laboratory... He was OBVIOUSLY an exceptional kid or there's little or no way he'd even be in an expensive lab (do you KNOW how much it costs for a radiological lab in that day??? Upwards of "Holy F***!") BUT his Core Wound, was troubled kid, unpopular, coming of age, and crushing...etc... LOST in the unimportance of low self esteem. THEN he gets these powers (parallel to "coming of age"...ahem) and changes... Takes an experiment that "fails catastrophically"... As many youthful adults DO. Only this fails so spectacularly that it gets his Uncle Henry killed... SO new core wound. GUILT... SELF LOATHING... Here's the thing. He'd tasted the fame and fandom in that wrestling ring, showing off, hearing crowds roar for him. That's addictive... a high like NOTHING they can find on the street! BUT bitter disappointment comes crashing in when he's trying to get paid, and gets "screwed" because "it's not my problem, kid"... AND when the place gets shot to pieces, people hurt... money stolen... He's asked why he didn't do anything, like kick the guy's feet out from under him... AND turn about felt TOO DAMN GOOD at the time. (life lesson)... AND then of course, Henry's killed. EVERY SINGLE Superhero has a similar theme, too. Just as Uncle Henry told Peter while Peter was struggling with morals and questionable powers in the beginning. "With great power comes great responsibility." AND these neo-mythical pantheons are just that kind of theme. What drives any superhero to be heroic??? Think about that. Superman has nothing to gain... Why would he possibly need the headaches and aggravation for just to be the crutch of the human civilized world??? He has no father to prove anything to. Lois Lane gets into more and more serious trouble just for knowing about Superman... He's not making money hand-over fist, in spite of every responsible reporter and media franchise on the PLANET putting bounties out for anything material about or around him... What??? That boy has serious personal problems. I'd have to point to "extreme needs for external validation"... It's not a terrible wound, just a wound... at his core. It defines him. He has that internal DEMAND to be "the hero" in every article, every story... every photo. Think about it. When he's cast as "villainous" or "questionably disreputable" he goes BALLISTIC... and ass seriously NEEDS kicked. Pick any Superhero in the modern settings of stories, and you can pick apart to at least one (most have several) core wounds. They may not be the HUGELY detrimental types that cripple the "average joe" Character(s)... BUT they are core to defining the supers. We're grown up (mostly) and we respond to Characters with wounds. It's inherent. Now there are some who's wounds might land on technicality. The stories often premised more completely toward satire or humor (straight?) and augmented with the simple FUN of bigger and more epic scenes of bad-assery. Fine... It's not "bad" to go after that. It's just dubiously "Simplistic" in the nature of Character creation. I'd absolutely advocate sticking some deep-seeded and serious Core Wounds into Supers. It makes them deeper and more personable. Hell, all the way back through Pantheons to the Ancient Greeks! Have you SEEN any of that "Classic" storytelling? It's more like a weird semi-homogenous stew of High School Drop-out drama and really BAD 80's era Soap Opera Cliches... with occasional mythic bestiality and clearly more drunkedness than necessary (staring at you, Bacchus) AAAaaahhhh... but I digress. It's still a good discussion topic. ;o)

Hello friends 👋 I am making my own superhero comic and I have half of the story ready......But it will be way better if we will work together . What do you guys think , Shall we ? If yes , comment below 👇

So the secret to writing a superhero story…….is to have the villain be threatening….. …….wow…what a revelation… 🙄🙄🙄

absolutely disagree

All these comments are now tired of current superhero movies lol and love John Wick

this is a rambling mess

Can I have my 5 and a half minutes back, please? You said nothing of value.

I only gave a thumbs down because of this guy. He's actually describing the Mary Sue archetype. Also his demeanor is comically pompous, and doesn't represent this channel's image very well. Boo this man!

Lol he has no idea what a superhero is