James Gunn’s upcoming Superman has unveiled its first teaser trailer, offering a fresh official look at the iconic Man of Steel and his supporting cast of characters. Set to a slightly melancholy, slowed-down electric guitar version of John Williams’ classic Superman theme, the trailer teases a film that balances vulnerability and heroism. With high expectations riding on its success, Superman marks a new chapter for the DC Universe under Gunn’s leadership, blending nostalgia with a bold reinterpretation of the beloved character.
“We can expect a Superman who is about the compassion of the human spirit, a Superman who is about kindness, love and compassion, while also being a very strong character. He is the best of humanity, even though he is an alien from outer space,” Gunn teased in an exclusive Q&A session that Geek Culture attended.
The trailer opens with a stark and unexpected visual: Superman, battered and vulnerable, lying defeated in the snow. This striking image sets the tone for a story that will explore the internal and external struggles of Kal-El, the alien from Krypton raised as Clark Kent in Smallville. As Gunn explained, “We’re dealing with Superman as a symbol of really old-fashioned values and hope, but we’re also allowing those traditional values to manifest themselves in a completely new way.”
David Corenswet (Twisters) takes on the dual role of Clark Kent and Superman, showcasing a version of the character that is equal parts optimistic and grounded. Gunn praised Corenswet’s portrayal, describing him as “fully, authentically Superman every moment he’s in the movie”, and highlighting his dedication to capturing both the physicality and vulnerability of the role.
“I said to David, “You’ve got to work on your shoulders, and your vulnerability.” He then spent the next six months getting bigger and also working on elements of being vulnerable on screen,” Gunn noted.
The trailer also introduces Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Lois Lane, a fearless “journalist of the highest order” who matches Superman in strength and conviction. Their chemistry is palpable, with moments of romance interwoven with scenes of action and tension. Gunn emphasised the importance of Lois as a dynamic force in the story, noting that audiences will “start to see why she is as strong of a force as Superman is, just in a different way”, and why “someone cool, good looking, and as powerful as Superman would be in love with her.”
Key scenes include Superman navigating his dual identities – walking through the bustling Daily Planet, sharing tender moments with his adoptive parents on the Kent Farm, and rescuing a young girl. These moments are juxtaposed with high-stakes action, including a confrontation with Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult (The Great), and a thrilling battle against a city-destroying monster. Gunn described Luthor as “Superman’s equal”, promising a clash that delves into the core values of the two characters:
“It really is this battle of ideologies between the two of them and how they look at the world, one of whom is very generous in his point of view, which is Superman, and one of them is not very generous in his point of view, which is Lex, but also his intelligence and way of dealing with henchmen that Lex has around him makes him incredibly dangerous. When you’re willing to fight, and there are no rules, you always have an upper hand.”
Drawing inspiration from Grant Morrison’s twelve-issue comic book series All-Star Superman (2005-2008), Gunn aims to deliver a story that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. Superman also introduces a rich ensemble of DC characters, including Nathan Fillion (The Rookie) as Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus) as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho, María Gabriela de Faría (Deadly Class) as Angela Spica/The Engineer of The Authority, and Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) as Rick Flag Sr. from Creature Commandos and Peacemaker season 2.
One of the trailer’s standout moments features Krypto the Superdog, inspired by Gunn’s own rescue dog, Ozu. In a poignant scene, Krypto helps a weakened Superman, reinforcing the film’s theme of finding strength in unexpected places. This connection between Superman and Krypto deeply resonated with Gunn, particularly the line “Krypto, take me home.”
For Gunn, the goal is clear: “And at the end of the day, that’s what this is about for me. Bringing the innate goodness of Superman home, and bringing our battered world to a brighter place of healing.”
Superman is set to soar into theatres on 10 July 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
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