The iconic Manneken-Pis in Brussels' city centre was decked out in his new Superman costume on Wednesday for the release of the eponymous blockbuster by James Gunn.
Julien, the beloved Brussels figurine, honoured his crowd by playfully spraying them, this time adorned in a red cape and emblazoned with the famous “S” on his chest.
“He ticks all the boxes: he wears tights, he flies through the air (well, as a statue, it’s complicated), and saves the world… one spray at a time,” quipped Marc Guebel, president of the Order of Friends of Manneken-Pis, during the ceremony, which marked the unveiling of the statue's 1,181st outfit.
According to Guebel, it was high time Mannekin Pis/Superman joined the Justice League: “Wonder Woman is on the parvis of Saint-Gilles, Batman in the tunnels of the STIB [transport company, Eds.], and Flash is stuck on Rue Neuve due to the sales. He was the missing link!”
With this quirky nod to a Belgian icon, the European capital celebrates the release of the new 'Superman,' in which US actor David Corenswet takes on the role of Clark Kent for the first time.
The 2025 version of the superhero is more troubled: he is still driven by justice and compassion, but faces personal doubts.
The film hits Belgian cinemas on Wednesday.
