The grip Megamind has on internet meme culture nearly 14 years after its initial release is worth scholarly analysis, with 2023 seeing yet another viral meme emerging from the animated film. Metroman, the movie's resident good boy and reluctant superhero, sets off the trajectory of the film after he makes a sneaky exit early on.

Metroman's pensive and dejected expression as he uses his superspeed to ponder about whether a life as a superhero is worth living became a reaction meme in the early 2020s, with meme makers relating to his Chad-like appearance and sincere enough melancholy. Here's how the gif in combination with worries about the 2023 Five Nights At Freddy's film led to the popularity of the Metroman leaving meme.

Where Did The Clip Of Metroman Leaving Originate?

The clip of Metroman looking up pensively before bowing his head and leaving dejected comes from the animated movie Megamind, released in December 2010. The clip below shows Metroman pausing in the midst of Megamind's villainous monologue, and using his superspeed to ponder the seeming lack of choices available to him.

But despite the film's release in the winter of 2010, the earliest recorded use of the scene showing Metroman leaving wasn't until Mar 2022, when X / Twitter user used it to joke about Superman being more powerful than Wanda.

Superman waiting for wanda to attack: https://t.co/TI43FTt6AG pic.twitter.com/9DaEultXuA

— Marimo (@DarkestKnight29) May 8, 2022

How Did The Clip Of Metroman Leaving Become A Meme?

While some uses of the scene featuring Metroman leaving came to be used as memes on TikTok in July 2023, it wasn't until later that year that the meme really saw consistent use online. The much-anticipated release of the Five Nights At Freddy's movie had fans worrying about the film potentially being too corny, and TikTokers joked about how they would have to leave the theater after hearing their favorite character say something trite and cringe.

@somedud31 #meme #megamind #metroman #prison #jail ♬ som original – ™Marci017BH✓

@atticusda #fnafmovie#fnaf#fivenightsatfreddy ♬ original sound – NickWild

What Are Some Variations Of the Metroman Leaving Meme?

By early 2024, another version of the clip showing Metroman leaving began making the rounds online, this time showing the superhero making his way out but eventually walking back and looking up curiously.

Me leaving the Xenoblade movie after Shulk beats Metal Face and says “I never needed the Monado… the real Xenoblade was inside me all along!” followed by Reyn yelling “OH YEAH BABY!”pic.twitter.com/MOldALtvWT

— 👑ℂℍ𝔸𝕆𝕊𝕂𝕀𝔻👑 (@DatChaosGuy) December 22, 2023

For the full history of the Metroman leaving meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.