The media need superheroes in science just as in every sphere of life but there is really a continuous range of abilities with no clear dividing line.

It's so great in Hollywood now. You have people past 40 sitting and talking about serious stuff writing and making movies and TV but there's laser pistols and superheroes and alien monsters involved. It's viable and mainstream.

I think superheroes are heroes with flaws and in their flaws there is a sense of humor.

There aren't as many girl superheroes but there are cool ones. Banshee for instance.

Some of the greatest actors have turned superheroes into a serious business: Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson in 'Batman' Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart the first venerable knights of the X-Men who have now passed the baton to Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy.

He's this amazing ambassador for all superheroes. What we've made as a film not only examines that but is also an amazing adventure story. It's been an honor to work on. As a comic book fan Superman is like the Rosetta Stone of all superheroes.