As we edge ever closer to the end of 2024 there has certainly been no shortage of teasers for what’s to come in 2025, as this month I have already covered the Reacher and Severance trailers. This week, then, I will be discussing the fascinating trailer for James Gunn’s hotly anticipated Superman, which dropped last week and, according to the writer and director, it “is officially the most viewed and most talked about trailer in the history of both DC and Warner Bros.”
This is hardly surprising as this is the first live action entry in the newly minted DCU, which was recently launched by Creature Commandos, an animated show created and written by Gunn that released to significant praise. As such, Gunn had to make an impression with the eagerly awaited first look at the film, and undeniably does just that by opening the trailer with David Corenswet’s Superman crash landing in the arctic, beaten and bloodied.
We are so accustomed to Superman being this impervious, dare I say overpowered being that one needs a moment to process the significance of this moment, not to mention its genius. There are those who criticize Superman as a bland do-gooding boy scout (I have fallen into this trap before), when in fact he is a representation of the everyman through Clark Kent, married with the purity he symbolizes when donning the suit and cape. What’s reassuring is that Gunn is clearly aware of this foundational aspect of his character, previously saying to outlets during a set visit, “It’s not just Clark. It’s not just Superman. It’s Clark/Superman…. I don’t think anyone knows Superman unless they know both of him.”
What’s more, presenting us with a battered Superman also affords Gunn the opportunity to showcase his dog, Krypto, in his live action debut, cape and all, as the filmmaker had already teased (Super)man’s best friend with past comments and even a promotional shot of the two sharing a view of Earth while sitting on the moon. Although Krypto does help Superman when called upon, even this dog will seemingly be a dynamic character from the singular mind of James Gunn, as the filmmaker has previously stated that he’s a “not-so-good-good-boy.”
Showcasing Krypto so early was a sign of what was to come for the rest of the trailer, as it also strives to offer glimpses of the extensive superhero roster appearing in the film, each of whom are members of The Authority. We get a brief look at the group’s members while also putting some of their abilities on full display, such as Mister Terrific’s (Edi Gathegi) techno-centric weapons and tools, Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) flying through wielding her signature mace, and Guy Gardner, played by legendary Canadian actor Nathan Fillion, using his Green Lantern Corp. power ring while sporting his iconic blonde bowl cut hairstyle. We also get a look at a nearly unrecognizable Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho (though we have not seen his own abilities in action), as well as an easy to miss glance at the group’s final member, The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), atop the Luthorcorp building, further suggesting that she may turn on her teammates and side with Lex Luthor in a villainous role.
Speaking of which, we get our first official look at Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, who is clearly the central villain of the film – kaiju-like monsters in the trailer aside – and looks to be a formidable foe for Superman. This is aided by what is clearly an intense performance from the talented Hoult, who has described his rendition of the character as “smart and ruthless,” yet he also admits that “there’s an element where you can understand on some levels where he’s coming from.”
Aside from the numerous superheroes shown off in the trailer, we are otherwise given a look at Corenswet as Clark Kent, both with his father Jonathan (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and in the Daily Planet, which also offers a look at Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) and, of course, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who shares a number of intimate scenes with both Clark and Superman, hinting that she will be one of the few people to truly know both sides of the Clark/Superman character that Gunn had previously alluded to.
The first trailer for James Gunn’s Superman certainly doesn’t disappoint, and should satiate fans such as myself for a while at least. Nonetheless, rest assured that this first look was more akin to a teaser than a fully-fledged trailer, and so we can expect another, more extensive trailer to be released closer to the film’s July 11th release date, so stay tuned!