SUPERMAN: TRAILER 1
Earth’s most famous superhero has been adapted for the silver screen more than times than I can count. He’s been geeky, moody, heroic, villainous, a father, a teenager, and everything in between. Now, he’s the centerpiece for James Gunn’s new DC Cinematic Universe. This is the 1st trailer for Superman.
The trailer opens on a bloodied Kal-El (David Corenswet) crash-landing in the arctic. As the bloodied Kryptonian struggles to breathe, we see brief vignettes of his civilian identity in Metropolis, his romance with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), and his upbringing in Smallville. Finally, Kal-El’s superhero dog Krypto drags him to safety.
The trailer continues, showing Superman’s influence in ongoing wars, his mixed reception across political divides, and his allies like Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) helping him fight off giant monsters on Earth.
From the shadows, the bald billionaire CEO Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) lurks, watching Superman in anger as he concocts an evil plan to destroy the world. The iconic cape-clad superhero is destined to cross paths with this dastardly villain as he continues to fight for a better tomorrow.
At this point, there’s very little new to be explored with Superman. The character’s silver screen outings have covered almost every version of him. So, in a sense, director James Gunn was almost working independently of fan expectations. All he could do was make the version that spoke to him, and it seems he chose a vision both eternal and thoroughly modern.
Opening on Superman bloodied and beaten, as well as showing the public booing him, was a strong choice. It signifies that, while this version might embody the same virtues as past incarnations, he’s also informed by an America priding itself on grit and determination. The brightly-colored cinematography, grand orchestral score, and slow-mo action feel thoroughly old-school. However, they contrast beautifully with grittier post-war imagery that wrench the film into the present-day.
Corenswet, a relatively unknown indie actor, lends his Superman more intensity than prior versions, yet still feels gentle and approachable. His almost atypical handsomeness lends him an attainability different than the classically square-jawed Adonises that previously played the role.
Director James Gunn, known for his devotion to comic book accuracy, has outdone himself. No one else could have made Krypto or Green Lantern’s comic-accurate costume translate so seamlessly to live-action. In DC, where superheroes feel like gods among men, Gunn brings Superman back down to Earth with his superbly humanistic directing style.
If this is the vision for the DCU, they’re off to a rousing start.
Directed by James Gunn, Superman will release theatrically in the US on July 11, 2025. The movie stars an ensemble cast led by David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan & Nicholas Hoult.
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