Superman Teaser Trailer Review

With James Gunn’s DCU kicking off at the end of 2024 with DC’s Creature Commandos on Max, Gunn is keeping the momentum going into 2025 with our first look at his rendition of Superman.

Superman, a cornerstone character in the superhero landscape, represents the innate goodness in humanity. As we reflect on today’s world—filled with pain and divisiveness—Superman is a symbol meant to remind us how trivial our material disputes are when faced with true adversity.

For many, it’s hard to relate to Superman or see his humanity. Bullets bounce off him, and he moves at the speed of light—it’s understandable. But Superman, as a character or even an idea, is far greater than his powers. He’s about his impact: on civilians, world leaders, and perhaps most importantly, other superheroes. It will be fascinating to see how Gunn navigates this complexity in his DCU movie debut.

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The trailer immediately grabs our attention with an injured Superman falling to the ground. Right on cue, we’re introduced to a battered, bloodied, and vulnerable version of the Man of Steel. Instantly, we’re left wondering: what could have hurt him so badly?

We then flash to David Corenswet’s Clark Kent navigating a crowded street on his way to the Daily Planet. We get our first glimpse of Corenswet’s geeky take on Clark Kent. With messy, curly hair, a slight underbite, and an ill-fitting suit, he exudes a goofiness reminiscent of the classic portrayal—a stark contrast to Henry Cavill’s polished, muscular take on the character. As Clark stumbles into the office, we’re introduced to Rachel [insert last name]’s Lois Lane. I’ll admit I’m not overly familiar with her work, but her performance is instantly convincing. From the way she strides by Clark to the subtle, knowing glances, it’s clear she’ll be phenomenal. At this point, it feels safe to assume she knows (or will soon discover) someone’s big secret.

We also get a heartwarming scene of Clark embracing his father, Jonathan Kent, at their family farm. While it’s touching, don’t be surprised if Pa Kent meets a tragic fate in this movie (sorry, Pa Kent fans). The trailer transitions back to Superman, injured and whistling for help. And who comes to the rescue? Krypto, the super dog! Cue nostalgic memories of the animated show’s theme song. In a matter of seconds, Krypto has stolen everyone’s hearts.

The trailer offers glimpses of various heroes and villains set to appear, including Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, Lex Luthor, and even The Mechanic from The Authority. James Gunn’s knack for creating dynamic ensemble casts from unlikely or lesser-known heroes is evident. However, since this is a Superman movie, the focus must remain on the Man of Steel while allowing supporting characters to shine without overshadowing him.

In Superman stories, certain characters play pivotal roles to anchor the narrative. For Iron Man, it’s Pepper, Happy, and Jarvis; for Batman, it’s Alfred, Robin, or a temporarily reformed villain. For Superman, it’s Lois Lane and Lex Luthor. While this movie features an ensemble cast, we trust Gunn to center the story on Clark and Lois’s dynamic while crafting a compelling and relatable motivation for Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor—one that audiences will ultimately despise.

Overall, we love what James Gunn is doing with Superman, presenting a more vulnerable yet hopeful version of the character. With so many morally ambiguous heroes dominating screens today, Gunn’s choice to focus on a Superman with firm morals—a true beacon of the greater good—is a smart and refreshing direction.

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But enough about our thoughts—what do you think about the new Superman? Are you excited to see a fresh take on the Man of Steel, or are you burned out on superhero movies? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!