Creatures Commandos has given DC fans their first look at the DCU and what a look it was. Many people questioned the wisdom of starting with such an unknown concept, but Creature Commandos‘ cast of monsters has proven to be a very interesting doorway into the all-new cinematic universe based on DC Comics. The show was packed with clues about the shape of the new DCU, revealing many familiar aspects. Now that the first season is over, it’s time to look at everything the show set up and see just what might be in store for the future. All of it points to it being an exciting future for DC fans.

The DCU Already Has Films In Its Canon

So, we’ll start with the easy stuff. The very existence of Task Force M shows that much of James Gunn’s previous DC work is canon to the DCU. The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker happened, down to that story about Superman getting shot. This is to be expected; since Gunn is in charge of things, it makes sense for those projects to be canon. John Economos and Amanda Waller are the same characters, and the death of Rick Flag Jr. at Peacemaker’s hands had been established by Waller and Rick Flag Sr. Flag probably doesn’t know all the details, but that’s just how Waller rolls.

Amazons Are A Controversial World Discovery

The show went into greater detail about the DCU as the season progressed. Its first phase concentrated on Circe and the Sons of Themyscira, establishing that Themyscira is not only known to the world but also rather controversial with the chuds of the manosphere. There are even university classes taught about it, as evidenced by Professor McPherson, who Clayface killed and impersonated in an attempt to trick the Creature Commandos in going back and killing Princess Illana Rostovic in Pokolistan. An interesting little wrinkle about Pokolistan is that the Princess’s knights are vaguely reminiscent of the Atomic Knights, survivors of a nuclear holocaust on either a future or alternate Earth, depending on the DC continuity in question. This fits Grodd’s plans for the world – he may have created that nuclear Earth if he got his way.

DC’s WWII Heroes

G.I. Robot made fans of DC’s Golden and Silver Age very excited. The robot’s origin episode establishes that Sgt. Rock and his Happy Company exist in the DCU. This opens DC’s entire slate of WWII war heroes – including the Losers, who are Flag family-relations – and also could open the door for the Justice Society of America to exist at some point. G.I. Robot’s meeting with scientist Will Magnus also opens things up for the Metal Men, a group of robots with different personalities and element-based capabilities made by the roboticist.

The Long History of DCU’s Monterverse

The stories of The Bride and Eric Frankenstein show that the monster side of the DC Universe is in full effect. Both of them have been long-time DC characters, and their existence also means that perhaps the Patchwork Man – a Swamp Thing-related monster that is created similarly – potentially exists. Monsters are a very important part of the show, and this fits in with the name given to the first story arc of the DCU: “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters”. Monsters have always been special in the DC Universe; while many of them are frightening enemies, just as many are heroes. Task Force M could play a major role in the future dealing with the monsters of this world.

RELATED: Creature Commandos: DC Studios Logo Pays Homage to a Classic Superman Story

The DCU Batman Universe

The biggest reveals from Creature Commandos are all Batman-related. The show’s inclusion of Doctor Phosphorous let us know that Gotham exist (something reinforced by the appearance of Clayface), but the season’s penultimate episode showed that Gotham is pretty much exactly the way it is in all other media. Well, Rupert Thorne is dead, but other than that, it’s Gotham. Viewers even got a glimpse of the Caped Crusader himself. James Gunn clarified that Batman has existed for some time in the DCU, meaning that we’re not jumping in at the exact beginning of the heroic age. This is a universe that has been in motion for a very long time, which is extremely exciting for fans of DC Comics. Also, Marvel Comics exists in the DCU – the Bride called Doctor Phosphorous “Ghost Rider.” So that’s interesting and does fit something that DC and Marvel have done in previous years, with comics often showing aspects of the other fictional universe of superheroes.

More Hero & Villain Teases

Star City and Metropolis are things as well. The latter is obvious because of Superman (2025), while Nina’s origin episode revealed Star City, which opens the door for heroes like Green Arrow to eventually show up. Gorilla Grodd has been established as a major potential threat in the DCU, using his telepathic powers to move people like pieces on a game board, all in the pursuit of the destruction of humanity, a familiar role for the simian tyrant.

This is actually perfect for Grodd; while he’s often portrayed as a brutal monster – which again plays into the title “Gods and Monsters” – he’s also a cunning evil super genius, who can manipulate events from the shadows. Grodd’s existence means that Gorilla City exists (fingers crossed we get to Solivar and maybe even the Ultra-Humanite in the albino gorilla body), which also opens the door to the Flash and the DCU version of twin cities of Central City and Keystone City. That last one depends on whether the DCU is going to do a classic Earth-Two, which is the original home of Keystone and the Justice Society; after all, multiverses are all the rage).

The DCU Is More Fully Formed Than We Guessed

Creature Commandos turned out to be the perfect way to introduce fans to the DCU. For years, everyone thought that the only way to be successful was the MCU’s method – a slow rollout at the beginning of the universe, holding fans’ hands and showing them everything as it builds and progresses. However, Creature Commandos went in a different direction: Gunn used what fans already knew about DC – The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, Batman, Gotham City, Themyscira – to widen the foundation of his universe. He used each member of Task Force M to expand upon a variety of things, opening doors for a lot of DC characters and concepts to come.

Creature Commandos was a perfect starting roadmap for the DCU, building excitement for what’s to come. It’s the most entertaining extended trailer for a franchise universe ever – a seven-episode run that teased the breadth of this new DC cinematic endeavor. In Gunn we trust.

You can stream Creature Commandos on Max.

The post Everything Creature Commandos Taught Us About the New DCU appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The new DC Universe franchise kicks off this year with Superman, followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow next year, and appropriately, Warner Bros. just made its classic 1984 Supergirl movie available to stream on Max. Supergirl starring Helen Slater as Kara Zor-El was added to the Max catalog on January 1st and is there for subscribers now. Whether you’re a nostalgic long-time fan or a student of superhero history, now is the time to revisit this one.

Supergirl is a part of the continuity established by the 1978 Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve. It takes place after the events of Superman III and is the penultimate movie in this series before Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. Supergirl was a critical and commercial flop in its time, even earning two Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie) nominations. These days, DC fans are used to this kind of disappointment and may find something to like in this quirky movie.

These four Superman films and Supergirl were produced by Ilya Salkind, who persuaded his father and co-producer Alexander to purchase the film rights to Superman in 1974. There are many reports that the Salkinds had contentious relationships with other creatives on these projects — particularly director Richard Donner. Ilya wrote a treatment for Superman III that would have introduced Supergirl in a very convoluted manner, but his ideas were reined in by studio intervention.

[RELATED: The Only Three Superman Movies With a Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes (But There Should Be More)]

Instead, Supergirl was introduced in her own film the following year. The movie was written by David Odell and directed by Jeannot Szwarc – neither of whom had worked on the previous three films. It finds Kara living in Argon City — a Kryptonian community that survived the planet’s destruction by transporting itself into an alternate dimension. When that city’s power source is accidentally launched toward Earth, Kara takes a ship to go after it. In the process, she becomes Supergirl, taking after her long-lost cousin.

Superman does not appear in this movie, though Marc McClure reprises his role as Jimmy Olsen. We also meet Lois Lane’s younger sister, Lucy, played by Maureen Teefy. Beyond that, connections to the Superman films are tenuous at best. The story is mostly about Kara’s battle with a witch named Selena (Faye Dunaway) for control of Argo’s power source and for the affection of a young man named Ethan (Hart Bochner). In the end, Kara returns to Argo, leaving her future involvement in the series questionable.

What Went Wrong With Supergirl?

The original plan was for Christopher Reeve to make a cameo appearance in this movie as Superman, but the actor bowed out of the project early on. Instead, we see a news broadcast explaining that Superman is currently off the planet on an unspecified “peace-seeking mission.” Meanwhile, Supergirl did not make an appearance in Superman IV, leaving this spinoff generally disconnected from the rest of the franchise.

Supergirl earned a total of $14.3 million at the global box office against a $35 million production budget. Critics tore into Dunaway’s performance as the villain Selena, as well as Peter O’Toole’s portrayal of the Argonian wizard Zaltar. At the time of this writing, the movie has a dismal 8% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 3.4 out of 10. The audience score is a little more generous at 26% fresh, and retrospective critics have been kinder to the movie in recent years, which has actually driven its average score up.

Revisiting Supergirl now could be a fun way for many fans to prepare for the DCU to take off this summer. Even if you’re not tempted to watch it on its own, a completionist must include it in a binge-watch — all four Superman movies starring Reeve are on Max as well, along with the belated sequel Superman Returns.

However you prepare, Superman hits theaters on July 11th, followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow on June 26, 2026.

The post Before Superman, You Can Stream DC’s OG Supergirl Movie appeared first on ComicBook.com.

One of the most thrilling athletic competitions of the year is right around the corner, and as if seeing Team Ruff and Team Fluff going head to head in Puppy Bowl XXI isn’t already enough reason to tune into the event, this year gives DC fans even more to be excited about. In honor of the upcoming Superman, which brings Superman’s beloved canine companion Krypto into the mix, fans can get an all-new look at the upcoming DC film when they tune in to the festivities. With filmmaker James Gunn drawing heavy inspiration from his own dog Ozu to develop Krypto’s on-screen performance, Gunn (and Ozu) will have a special message for fans during the event. Puppy Bowl XXI kicks off on Sunday, February 9th at 2 p.m. ET and will air across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.

“Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl serves as an annual pop culture programming event that continues to expand in reach, awareness, and of course, puppies, every year,” Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks, shared in a statement. “Win or lose, Puppy Bowl XXI will have the cutest players in the game on Sunday, February 9th and will inspire families across the country to adopt a new furry friend.”

The special look at Superman is described, “One incredible pup who displays ‘super’ abilities will be presented with the Krypto Super Play award. Audiences can catch a special sneak peek of Superman within Puppy Bowl before its theatrical release on July 11th. During the game, writer and director James Gunn will deliver a special message with his dog Ozu, who serves as the inspiration for the character Krypto in DC Studios’ Superman.”

Per press release, “The annual three-hour television event will feature 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states – and two countries – as they compete in the cutest competition of the year. With more puppies than ever before, Puppy Bowl XXI will highlight their inspiring journeys from birth to adoption, as well as the tremendous dedication of the rescues and shelters that help find animals their forever homes.”

“The game kicks off when Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner blows the whistle and the PEDIGREE Starting Lineup players take the field at PROGRESSIVE Stadium. Julep, the first-ever St. Bernard-mix, and Smoosh, the only Pekingese to compete in the games, will head up Team Fluff while Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German shepherd who traveled all the way from Nicaragua, will look to bring Team Ruff to victory. The two teams will go head to head on the gridiron in hopes of bringing home the Walmart ‘Lombarky’ trophy and see which puppy player has what it takes to be named the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) and win the SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Underdog Award.

[RELATED – Why DC Studios Is About to Have a Big Year in 2025]

“Eleven inspiring special needs dogs, including Jolene, an American Pit bull terrier-mix competing in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd-mix, will take the field, giving it their all and not letting their disabilities slow them down.

“Interspersed with extended puppy play, star matchups and behind-the-scenes moments are the SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. ‘Pup Close and Personal’ segments, sharing the backstories of some of the all-star athletes. Dan Smyers, from superstar country duo Dan + Shay, will bring a rescue puppy from Wags & Walks Nashville backstage at one of his concerts for some socialization and to boost their chances of being adopted. Additionally, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and his girlfriend, Nani, will visit The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, where they’ll meet Parsnip, a rescue Pit bull-mix about to compete in the games. Derrick and Nani spend time helping train Parsnip and detailing the kind of home that will be a good fit for him.

“Fan-favorite returning elements include the Adoptables segments featuring puppies — and a few kittens — that will be available for adoption during the game, sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks providing play-by-play commentary, the Wisdom Panel pet DNA test results to help provide insights into each player’s breed mix and other unique traits, the Kitty Halftime Show presented by ARM & HAMMER Hardball and much more.

“Before the big game, the brand-new Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff will air at 1 p.m. ET on Animal Planet. Ten puppy prospects from across the country will engage in practice drills and show off their moves in the first-ever Puppy Combine. Each pup will compete to be selected as the top pick in the Puppy Bowl Draft and join the Team Ruff and Team Fluff rosters. The show will also check in with BISSELL and the BISSELL Pet Foundation to see how they are continuing to make an impact with their lifesaving efforts and as they prepare to send Trixie from their partner shelter, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, to compete in Puppy Bowl XXI.”

Puppy Bowl XXI kicks off on Sunday, February 9th at 2 p.m. ET and will air across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.

Will you be tuning into the event? Contact Patrick Cavanaugh directly on Twitter or on Instagram to talk all things Star Wars and horror!

The post Superman Sneak Peek Coming to Puppy Bowl XXI (Along With Lots of Puppies) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2024 is in the books – and what a year it was. While there were some big failures in various fandoms, there were also a lot of signs of hope. The fandoms that makeup pop culture were taken on quite a ride, with some huge moments sticking out to make 2024 one of the more memorable years in recent memories.

The best moments in fandom shone brightly in 2024. These moments redefined their respective fandoms, grabbing some that were in the mud and cleaning them off for a sparkling tomorrow. 2025 is going to be an epic year, and some big reasons for that can be found in the best fandom moments of 2024.

The Avengers: Doomsday/Secret Wars Reveal

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on something of a downswing in the last few years, but 2024 changed all of that. Fans are excited again for the first time in ages and a big reason for that came from San Diego Comic-Con. Marvel was back in Hall H, and they made an announcement that set the Internet on fire – not only would Captain America: Winter Soldier/Captain America: Civil War/Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame directors the Russo Brothers return to direct the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday/Secret Wars, but Robert Downey Jr. would take up the role of Doctor Doom in the movie.

The announcement was hype personified and it was all anyone could talk about for days. The Russos and RDJ were huge parts of the MCU’s prior success – arguably they are the best directors and the best actor/character in the MCU’s history. Having them come back for the next Avengers film took movies that fans weren’t that excited about and shot their expectations into the stratosphere. However, Marvel wasn’t done with their announcements for the next Avengers duology – Chris Evans is also going to return for Doomsday/Secret Wars.

2024 was a banner year for Marvel Studios, but there was another moment in July that would remind everyone that Marvel is still the biggest name in fandom, one that would show the future of the MCU…

Deadpool & Wolverine’s Massive Success

Everyone knew that Deadpool & Wolverine was going to be successful, but it’s doubtful that anyone figured it would be as massive as it was. Deadpool & Wolverine made over a billion dollars, and it impressed fans and critics alike. While the MCU was nowhere near dead, it had been in a funk for several years, with movies and TV series showing diminishing returns. 2023’s The Marvels was Marvel Studios’ first bomb and they needed something massive to show fans that things weren’t going down the tubes. That was Deadpool & Wolverine.

Deadpool & Wolverine is the best multiverse project that Marvel has put out, bringing back characters from previous Marvel movies like Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, Chris Evans’s Human Torch, Aaron Stanford’s Pyro, Dafne Keen’s X-23, and Wesley Snipes’s Blade – it even gave fans a taste of Channing Tatum’s Gambit. Most importantly, it brought back Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, getting the longest-tenured superhero actor back to the game.

Everyone knew that Jackman and Ryan Reynolds’s Deadpool would be like Reese’s Cups – two great tastes that taste great together – but Deadpool & Wolverine was better than everyone expected. It gave MCU fans, Fox X-Men fans, and anyone who liked superheroes a great story and succeeded in every way. It showed that Marvel Studios could still put out amazing projects, giving hope that Fantastic Four: First Steps, the upcoming Avengers movies, and the still-just-over-the-horizon X-Men films would be as great as what came before.

Wicked Made Everyone a Theater Kid

Author Gregory Maguire wrote Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West in 1995. It was the first in a series of books Maguire wrote about the villains of classic fairy tales and would be his most successful. Maguire wrote sequels to Wicked, all of which became bestsellers, but the story truly entered the zeitgeist with its Broadway debut on October 30, 2003. Wicked became a sensation, becoming Broadway’s hottest ticket before touring the country.

Big-screen Broadway adaptations aren’t exactly common, but Wicked became enough of a phenomenon to warrant one. Pop star Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo got the nod as Elphaba, the titular Wicked Witch. The two went on a media tour together and showed off the kind of relationship that shows they built a connection working on the movie, which is usually a good sign. People were excited about the movie and luckily, Wicked delivered.

Wicked is the kind of movie that (nearly) everyone enjoyed, which is a rarity. For two and a half hours, everyone in whatever theater Wicked is playing becomes a theater kid, which is quite an accomplishment. What makes the movie so great is not only the quality of it as an adaptation or the great songs or the work the crew put into the film, but the love that everyone involved had for Wicked and each other. Wicked has gone from a beloved book to a Broadway phenomenon to a pop-cultural cinematic event. Talk about “defying gravity.”

Related: Wicked Star Cynthia Erivo Reveals She Co-Wrote Original Song for Sequel

Marvel Rivals Made A Near-Perfect Hero Shooter

The summer of 2024 saw fans get their hands on the beta for Marvel Rivals, a third-person hero shooter that starred the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe. The beta showed off a good portion of the roster and the gameplay, enough to make players excited for the full edition of the game. After the beta ended, NetEase Games started to release videos with the rest of the roster, building anticipation until almost the last moment before the game’s full release.

Marvel Rivals was released on December 6, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and XBox Series X/S, and it blew players away. Up until this point, hero shooters were defined by Overwatch, but Marvel Rivals has taken that crown. The art style is unforgettable, and the fact that it took this long for a hero shooter based on Marvel feels like a travesty after seeing just how great Marvel Rivals plays. NetEase was able to pull it off, with the Steam version of the game hosting an average of 400,000 players a night. Streamers have embraced the game as well, and there are reports that Marvel Rivals has cut Overwatch‘s player base in half.

Marvel Rivals has an insane amount of hype behind it, with players waiting breathlessly for updates. Marvel Rivals was always going to be successful, but no one could have guessed it would have become this big. The game is the perfect hero shooter for the moment, and it can only go up from here.

Superman ‘s Trailer Broke the Internet

In October 2022, it was announced that writer/director James Gunn, of Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker fame, and producer Peter Safran would become the heads of a new DC Studios. A slate of movies, called “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” were released, but the biggest news was that Gunn was going to write and direct the next Superman movie, which was then called Superman: Legacy, and it would be the first film in the new DCU. The movie was slated for July 2025, and the hype train left the station.

2023 and 2024 would see more information released about the movie, with the title being changed to Superman. The hype built and built, until December 2024 saw a poster and the teaser trailer released. Fans had been burnt by DC and Superman movies before, so a lot was riding on the new trailer. It was a make-or-break moment.

And the trailer killed it.

Superman’s trailer showed off a variety of characters and events, exciting longtime DC readers, but what truly made the trailer work was the feel. The whole thing felt like a Superman project should feel. Gunn captured the hope at the core of the character and put it onscreen. Superman‘s teaser trailer made fans even more hyped. It was heavily discussed for days, with everyone having an opinion on it. It truly broke the Internet and showed that maybe DC movies would finally reach the levels that Marvel ones had.

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The premiere trailer for James Gunn’s Superman gave us our first look at a new era of DC films, which will include the much-anticipated debut of Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Fans are excited to see what Brosnahan can do with the role, and you can absolutely include Amy Adams as part of that group. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Adams spoke about her experience as Lane in films like Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and as Brosnahan grabs the baton, Adams can’t wait to see her take on the character.

“One of the things I like about superhero canons is, for me, it’s almost like theater in a way. It’s like, different people take on the role, and the role doesn’t belong to one person,” Adams said.

When asked what advice she would give to Brosnahan, Adams said, “Just have fun. Just have fun, and I’m sure she will. She’s wonderful, and I hope she gets to bring her sense of humor to it. She’s got such a great sensibility, such a good actress, but also such great natural comedic timing, and I hope we get to see some of that in it.”

Adams played the role of Lois Lane in Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, and as evidenced in Justice League, the character was a critical part of Zack Snyder’s overall plan. There was an overarching theme of Lois being the most important character in that world, especially when things moved to the Superman patrolled future timeline.

[RELATED: Superman Director Promises Unseen Comics Element Will Finally Be Brought to Life]

Gunn’s take on the Superman character and world seems much more entrenched in the comics, taking elements from all over but also key aspects from the Silver Age, making for a much different type of approach. During a Superman trailer event, Brosnahan revealed that she’s long been inspired by Lois, and couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the character to life on the screen.

“I’ve always been inspired by this character. She’s somebody who is ambitious and courageous and hungry and determined to get the greatest story almost at any cost,” Brosnahan said. “I’ve always loved this character and was so excited by the opportunity to bring all of those things that have been true of her in every iteration.”

There’s also the ever-changing world of journalism to consider, and that’s something that’s always been an important element of the character and Superman’s world as a whole. That’s not changing in this film either.

“One of the things I love about this character is that almost more than any other character in these comics, and in the movies, she evolves to fit what it would mean to be an intrepid journalist of each generation or each decade that she’s presented in,” Brosnahan said. “So, I think our challenge… Today we’re living in a world where print journalism to some is perhaps an endangered art form and she’s somebody who has dedicated her entire life to it.”

“I think as far as what else is different, you’ll have to check out the movie to see, but I love that she’s somebody who doesn’t understand what the word ‘no’ means and it’s motivating for her. We definitely see that side of her in this film,” Brosnahan said.

Brosnahan is joined by David Corenswet (Superman/Clark Kent), Hoult (Lex Luthor), Wendell Pierce (Perry White), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Jonathan Kent), Neva Howell (Martha Kent), María Gabriela de Faría (Angela Spica/the Engineer), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), and Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific).

Superman hits theaters on July 11th.

Are you excited for Brosnahan’s take on Lois Lane? You can talk all things Superman and DC with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

The post Amy Adams Praises Rachel Brosnahan’s Casting as DCU’s Lois Lane appeared first on ComicBook.com.

DC’s Absolute Universe has continued to deliver on its potential across all three of its launch titles, with Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman all shaking things up tremendously. All three have successfully captured the heart of each character while also reinventing so much of what surrounds them, and yet, Absolute Superman might just be on another level in the regard. In fact, with Absolute Superman #3 DC has just redefined Kal-El’s childhood and history for a new generation of fans, bringing a massive new importance to not just Krypton, but also the impact that Kal’s parents Jor-El and Lara-El have had on his childhood and his future as Superman.

In the first two issues of Absolute Superman, writer Jason Aaron has explored Krypton’s class system and the growing signs that Krypton is quickly nearing its destruction. That discovery led Jor-El and Lara-El to create a special armor of Sunstone to protect Kal-El in an attempt to escape the planet before it completely self destruction, which is relatively keeping with the original origin story.

While there are similarities to the original origin, the fact that Kal is older and has such a close relationship with his parents changes the frame which all of that is viewed, and that continues in a major way throughout Absolute Superman #3. In the main timeline, Kal’s relationship with Jor-El and Lara-El was mostly established after the fact through remnants of Kryptonian technology, and even when they did show up, there wasn’t much in the way of a foundation between them other than largely aspirational.

That’s all changed with Absolute Superman. Jor-El and Lara-El are not only present for Kal’s formative childhood years, but they are integral to establishing his confidence, his compassion, and his boldness. We see the origins of Kal’s fascination with the written word that will eventually lead him to working at the Daily Planet and becoming a reporter, and while that’s significant on its own, it’s the words from his parents during this journey that will leave the most lasting impact.

[RELATED: Absolute Superman’s Costume Has a Major (and Revealing) New Flaw]

Early on during a family camping trip we see Jor-El and Lara-El having a conversation with Kal about a note from his school, which reprimands him for writing is reports for school himself as opposed to using the direct words from the Luminarium. This is seen as challenging Kryptonian tradition and refusing to conform to planet-wide held ideals, and Kal says “I know. I can’t help it. My words make me happy. Theirs are just…words.” What happens next is a testament to understanding who your children are and who you hope they choose to become, as despite the effect on Kal’s grades and trouble this continues to get him in, they tell him “Keep it up.”

“I don’t care what your grades say. You’re the sharpest most caring kid in teh hole world. We trust you to find your own path, “Lara-El says. They also address the reality of those actions, with Jor-El adding, ” We can’t tell you it’ll be an easy road, going against the ways of The Science League. You know it won’t. But you have to chase your passion in life, Kal-El. Wherever it leads you.” Lara-El then says “Do that with all your heart, at all costs, and I promise you…you’ll be unstoppable.”

It’s not difficult to see how those words and that level of understanding and care throughout his upbringing affect Kal’s decision to become Superman and defend those who can’t defend themselves. That’s impressive on its own, but the work done with Lara-El and Jor-El as individuals and how they interact as a couple is just as worthy of praise.

If someone asks about Superman’s parents, your first answer is likely Ma and Pa Kent, and understandably so. They have often been Kal’s guardians and biggest influences throughout his life, and that’s why it was always a shock to the system when Kal’s Kryptonian heritage came into play. This time around though Kal’s parents are some of the most compelling parts of the series, and it’s a joy to not only watch how they interact with Kal, but also each other.

Gone is the Science League Jor-El that has lived within the highest tier of Kryptonian society, and in his place steps someone who while highly respected by his peers, is not respected within the rigid systems of Krypton’s League-based structure. Despite knowing what will likely happen, Jor-El seeks to still try and appeal to the council to save other Kryptonians from the coming crisis while processing the heartbreak that comes with losing a place you’ve come to adore, flaws and all.

Then there’s Lara El, who is easily the most compelling and three-dimensional version of this character to date. Lara is as instrumental to Kal’s upbringing as Jor-El, and you can clearly see where Kal gets his fire from. Lara-El is the brilliant mind behind the Sol armor and the ship that will allow them to escape Krypton’s destruction, but she’s also the person who pushes boundaries and inspires Jor-El and Kal to do the same. When the going gets tough, as we see in Absolute Superman #3, Lara is also a complete badass who won’t let anyone step between her and her family, and there’s an entire battle in his very issue that just begs to be seen in live-action at some point down the road.

Absolute Superman has brought so much in the way of relevance and impact to Superman’s origin story, creating a new importance to Kal’s time on his home planet and his relationship with his parents, who now are just as integral to his time as Superman as anyone else in his life. The sheer scale of that is something that shouldn’t be understated, and moving forward, the impact of what this has done for Superman’s early years will only grow.

What have you thought of Absolute Superman’s changes to the origin story, Kal’s parents, and Krypton? You can talk all things comics and DC with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

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Even the smaller comic publications have had solid to outright great films released based on their bibliography. For instance, Oni Press had Scott Pilgrim vs. the World while Image had The Crow, Wanted, and Kick-Ass. But, just as great films come from extensive bibliographical lineups, so too do some true duds – films even worse than the bland 2024 remake of The Crow. While it’s tough to say the recent reimagining of Eric Draven’s revenge is particularly good, it’s not one of the worst superhero movies (super-anti-hero, in this case) to ever hit the big screen. It’s closer to the “Getting a bad rap” side of things.

Are there other films like that? Those that perhaps get a bit too much hate? Absolutely. But some have fully earned the ire they’ve received. Below we’ll see which is which – but in the end, there is one tie that binds many, but not all, of the films of both categories: they’re best left to superhero film completionists.

Genuinely Terrible — Howard the Duck (1986)

Like the Pamela Anderson-led Barb Wire (a Dark Horse Comics adaptation) a decade later, Howard the Duck is an oversexualized tonal mess. It’s also an incredibly unceremonious big-screen feature-length debut for Marvel Comics. If not for George Lucas behind it as producer, there’s little chance Howard the Duck would have ever seen the light of day.

On one hand, Howard the Duck is a cult film – which is not all that surprising considering it does make a fine companion piece to 1987’s The Garbage Pail Kids Movie or 1988’s one-two punch of Hobgoblins and Mac and Me. But when the highest compliment that can be granted a film is that it’s best viewed while being an inebriated 20-something, that’s the kind of praise Marvel would certainly like to strike from their cinematic record books.

Genuinely Terrible — Catwoman (2004)

It’s hard to know what the thinking was behind 2004’s Catwoman. It functions less as a DC adaptation and more as a display of Halle Berry’s figure in latex. The title character isn’t even Selina Kyle, but rather a slightly similar (AKA timid) graphic designer for a cosmetics company. It’s as if those behind the film weren’t even interested in the source material, much less pleasing that material’s fans. And, considering they’re the ones who would be buying the tickets, that begs the question of just who the intended audience was.

In other words, it’s a movie without a core identity, which would almost be fine if it had something to say about how women are treated in the world of big business. But it doesn’t. It doesn’t really have much to say at all. Though, given the fact there’s the requisite montage of its title character quickly jumping from building to building towards the end (as seen in Spider-Man and Daredevil), what is clear is that those in charge of crafting the film had seen a handful of early aughts superhero movies, heard the name Catwoman, and tried to give it a go. The best thing that can be said about it is that Berry has shown a good sense of humor about its failures over the years (she even showed up and accepted her Razzie Award in person).

Gets a Bad Rap — Spider-Man 3 (2007)

There are scenes in Spider-Man 3 that are just as awful now as they were during its opening weekend back in 2007. Specifically, Peter Parker’s dance down the street remains very hard to watch and a few of James Franco’s line readings (“My best friends”) unintentionally inspire giggles. And yet, the passing of time has allowed the trilogy-capper to lose some of its disappointing sting.

What made Spider-Man 3 seem like such a trainwreck at the time was the fact that it was coming not only after Raimi’s impressive first blockbuster but also Spider-Man 2, which remains a high point for superhero cinema. Could Spidey’s third movie have trimmed some symbiotic fat to be a leaner, more serious follow-up? Absolutely, and that’s what Raimi wanted to do – but Sony did not. Even without the studio interference would it have been as good as the second film? Likely not. Regardless, there are a few pieces of what that film could have been in Spider-Man 3, most notably in just about every scene featuring Sandman, who like Doc Ock and Green Goblin before him stands as an example of how Raimi can craft complex and compelling villains just as well as he can craft lovable heroes.

Gets a Bad Rap — Iron Man 2 (2010)

While it’s not towards the top of the MCU heap, time has been kind to Iron Man 2. This is especially true given the fans’ and general audiences’ lukewarm (at best) reception to certain entries from later MCU Phases. It’s a movie that tries to do too much universe-building from time to time, but that was more of a necessary evil, rather than a lack of focus on the part of Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. The central character had already been established, so what better Phase One movie could there have been to bring S.H.I.E.L.D. and Black Widow into the mix?

This does come at a cost, admittedly. For instance, Mickey Rourke’s Whiplash is rendered a cookie-cutter caricature of a vengeful Russian archetype and little more. But when he’s sharing his scenes with a particularly flamboyant Sam Rockwell it’s fairly hard to complain too much. As a whole, Iron Man 2 is fairly rewatchable, and while it’s not as impressive as the first film, it’s more of a crowd-pleaser than Iron Man 3.

Genuinely Terrible — Hellboy (2019)

In hindsight, there were plenty of pieces in place to inspire hope for the Hellboy reboot. Yet, even with Dog Soldiers and The Descent‘s Neil Marshall behind the camera, it feels like it should have gone direct to streaming, not unlike 2024’s even cheaper-looking Hellboy: The Crooked Man did. Another piece of the puzzle that should have panned out was having David Harbour in the title role. And yet, never has such a likable performer been in such a through-and-through unlikable film.

Without Guillermo del Toro behind the wheel, the franchise loses all of its bizarre and adventurous flourishes, and what audiences are left with is a dour tone, dark visuals, and poor attempts at humor to counterbalance those elements. A few of the cast members really try to elevate the proceedings (namely Harbour and Milla Jovovich), but one gets the feeling this reboot was in trouble from moment one.

[RELATED: Where to Watch All Six Hellboy Movies Online, Including The Crooked Man]

Gets a Bad Wrap — Birds of Prey (2020)

Without a doubt, there are installments of the late DCEU that received much more hate than Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey. Some of it was warranted, like with David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods – while some of it was not, such as with Man of Steel. But with Birds of Prey, it was practically a nonentity. Even putting the COVID factor aside (which didn’t affect Birds of Prey until it was practically out of theaters anyway) no one really saw the film.

It’s a shame, because outside of The Suicide Squad it’s the DCEU’s most energetic and entertaining installment. It never once really plays like a traditional superhero/supervillain film, and that’s incredibly advantageous. Toss in great set design, lush visual style, and some phenomenal supporting work from Ewan McGregor and Rosie Perez to go alongside the expectedly perfect leading work from Margot Robbie. Birds of Prey is a true winner.

Genuinely Terrible — Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

For a while there, it really did look like Thor: The Dark World was the worst a Thor film could be. Then, Taika Waititi delivered the most devastating follow-up to an MCU film to date with Thor: Love and Thunder. Every aspect of Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok that worked it cranked up to eleven in Love and Thunder, and spoils what was once a nice meal.

This is primarily true of the humor, a problem which is only amplified by its juxtaposition with a cancer subplot and a grieving father for a villain. The same problem extends to the following year’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but at least in that trilogy-capper there weren’t screaming goats every five seconds. Love and Thunder tries to be too many things at once, and in the process even its most tender moments ring as hollow and insincere.

Gets a Bad Wrap — The Marvels (2023)

Given the fact The Marvels was the first MCU adventure audiences outright turned their backs on when it hit theaters, one would expect it to be worse. But, in reality, the film’s biggest crime is being a bit “Been-there-already-paid-to-see-that.” Nothing about it is particularly innovative or pushes the MCU in an interesting direction, but it’s one of the whole saga’s breeziest films to date.

The film’s ace in the hole is Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel. The film functions as a Captain Marvel sequel more than anything else, and Brie Larson is still bringing her A-game, but it’s Vellani’s joy and her character’s awe that’s the film’s infectious element. Here’s hoping the failure of her first big-screen installment doesn’t preclude her participation in further big-screen MCU installments down the line.

Gets a Bad Wrap — Kraven the Hunter (2024)

While it’s pacing behind even Madame Web at the box office, Kraven the Hunter is not the worst installment of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. In fact, compared to Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter almost looks like a good film. It’s definitely riddled with problems, like takes on characters that stray far from the source material, but at least it’s entertaining in spots.

The same cannot be said of Madame Web, where even its well-paid leading lady looks like she’d rather be getting an appendectomy. As a whole, the SSU deserves the poor reputation (and swift demise) it’s received, but if the lion’s share of the blame ends up being heaped on Kraven‘s shoulders, it won’t be fully warranted.

Kraven the Hunter is in theaters. The rest of the films in the list can be streamed on Disney+, Max, and other services.

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The DCEU may have been a relatively short-lived endeavor, but it did get a few things right. For one, its casting was often on point. So much so that it’s going to be hard to not see some of its primary players carried over to James Gunn’s DCU franchise. But, as has been established by Gunn himself (and has received confirmation via Creature Commandos), the DCU isn’t a full reset of the DCEU. In other words, never say never to some particular fan-favorite stars coming back – either to reprise their roles or to inhabit new ones. When it comes to the latter, Jason Momoa has been cast as Lobo in the new DCU, which is a development that was long-expected and hotly anticipated.

What follows are the DCEU stars that I (and I assume many others) am going to miss. The DCEU got these castings right and, considering the new universe isn’t fully deleting the old one, there’s no reason a creative genius like Gunn can’t reincorporate them into his universe.

I’m factoring in whether the stars listed below should continue in their established role or take on a new one, and I am omitting Henry Cavill. He’s going to be mighty hard to replace as Superman, but David Corenswet certainly seems like a solid choice. And, let’s face it: bringing him on in a role other than Superman would be a distraction, at best.

1. Margot Robbie

John Cena is continuing the role of Peacemaker, even if it is a slightly revised take (time will tell just how that plays out when Peacemaker Season 2 debuts). If he can, so can Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn – because no one is better suited to play the character. Two of her three DCEU films are phenomenal, and she even managed to elevate David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. Robbie needs to stay onboard if Harley Quinn is going to be a part of Gunn’s DCU.

And, while on the topic of Suicide Squad characters: Jai Courtney was a standout as Captain Boomerang, and he’d remain as such in Gunn’s universe. After all, like Robbie, he was one of the few Gunn brought back from Ayer’s movie. The Slither director just might have to get extra inventive on how he’s brought back.

2. Gal Gadot

With Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Wonder Woman 1984, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and The Flash under her belt, Gal Gadot is tied with only Jason Momoa for the number of (sometimes uncredited) appearances in DCEU installments. And for good reason: she wore the part of Wonder Woman like a glove.

Gadot brought a warmth to the role that’s going to be as difficult to replace, as is her comfort in action scenes. Could Gadot join the DCU as a non-Diana Prince character? Sure, former TV Wonder Woman Lynda Carter did it with her DCEU appearance. But if Gal Gadot comes back at all, it probably should be as Wonder Woman. Gadot’s not quite as irreplaceable as Robbie, but she’s close.

[RELATED: Zoe Saldaña Teases Where Star Trek 4 Should Go Next (and We Agree)]

3. Chris Pine

In the situation where Gadot comes back as a character other than Wonder Woman, Chris Pine could and should come back as a character other than Steve Trevor. If Gadot is returning as Wonder Woman, Pine’s Trevor should stay dead and buried. He was already brought back once, and it didn’t quite work.

Pine is such a natural in big-budget projects that he’s an easy choice for the DCU. With a good sense of humor, a formidable presence in action scenes, and classic movie star good looks, he’s a great name to get butts in seats. Not to mention, James Gunn also has a good sense of humor, so they would likely prove to be a good match.

4. Chris Messina

There are only a handful of projects that Gunn should just go ahead and consider DCU canon: Peacemaker Season 1, The Suicide Squad, and Birds of Prey. On one hand, it wouldn’t be that difficult to incorporate them and, on the other, they’re just so solid that the DCU canon would be lucky to have them.

One of the many factors that made Birds of Prey such an underrated installment of the DCEU was Chris Messina‘s unhinged performance as Victor Zsasz. He understood the assignment and, while there really wouldn’t be much point in bringing him back as Zsasz, Gunn should find something for Messina to do.

5. Aldis Hodge

As a whole, Black Adam is as forgettable as a comic adaptation can get. However there was one performance that stood out, and that was the ever-underrated Aldis Hodge. He brought both gravitas and humanity to the role of Hawkman and made the character work as a Captain America-type glue for the Justice Society of America.

Hodge is another actor who could come back either as the character he played before or someone new. Hawkman was only in one movie, so he’s not fully ingrained in the audience’s memory as inextricable from Hodge – and vice versa. Perhaps his solid work as Hawkman will be seen as an elaborate audition tape for a larger, multi-movie role in the DCU.

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When Superman hits theaters over the summer, it will mark the second time this decade that DC villain Maxwell Lord appears on the big screen. Pedro Pascal played the entrepreneur as the main antagonist in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984, opposite former Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot. In July, Sean Gunn will deliver a new take on the character in his brother James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie.

In addition to voicing Weasel and G.I. Robot in Creature Commandos, Sean Gunn will get the chance to actually have his face in front of the camera in Superman. We don’t know how much his Maxwell Lord will be featured in the film, but he seems primed for a lengthier role in the DCU moving forward.

Even though we’ve already seen a version of Maxwell Lord on screen very recently, you can expect Gunn’s take to be quite a bit different in this DCU. During a recent appearance on the Kristian Harloff Show, Sean Gunn opened up about his portrayal of Lord in Superman.

“I can tell you that the one obvious thing is it’s me playing the role. It doesn’t just mean I’m going to give a different interpretation,” Gunn explained. “Your own body is the vessel for what you’re doing, so obviously…no one is gonna confuse me and Pedro Pascal’s performance. So we’re obviously going to do something different.”

He went on to say that one of the big differences between his and Pascal’s versions of Lord is that James Gunn’s direction led him back to some specific source material from the pages of DC Comics.

“I think that James is good about directing me towards the relevant source material,” Gunn continued. “So, I think, the whole concept of the character takes a different type of tack. I saw the movie and Pedro is obviously a great actor, but what he does in that movie is not really relevant to anything that I’m doing.”

[RELATED: DC Studios Is Primed for a Big Year in 2025]

It will certainly be exciting to see what Gunn brings to the table with Maxwell Lord, especially if he is going to be getting an entire arc with the character. Traditionally, Lord is a character who starts off working alongside DC’s heroes before eventually turning into an antagonist. He will probably have an opportunity to do just that in the budding DCU, appearing in its first live-action movie in what appears to be a small, supporting role. There’s nothing but room to grow from there.

Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

The post Superman Star Says Their Version of Pedro Pascal’s Wonder Woman Villain Is Closer to DC Comics appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It doesn’t take X-ray vision to see it – the new trailer for Superman 2025 has given me a newfound respect for the Arrowverse. While the trailer effectively captured the attention of longtime DC Comics fans, it made me reevaluate the franchise in ways I never thought of before. Despite their flaws, the CW Network achieved something the DC Extended Universe often struggled with: delivering a successful and cohesive storyline to its fans.

Nearly a month has passed since the series finale of Superman & Lois, ending a 12-year run of DC characters on the CW. While Smallville could be argued to have given birth to the Arrowverse in 2001, the inclusion of the show did not take place until 2019, making Arrow the primary creator of the franchise. During that time, they crafted an expansive universe – one that spanned countless heroes, villains, time periods, and realities. As the Superman movie prepares to usher in a new era of DC storytelling, it’s clear that the Arrowverse laid most of the groundwork for this undertaking, proving that intertwined narratives thrive when they are treated with care.

A Newfound Respect For The Arrowverse

The Arrowverse has often been insulted for its low-budget CGI, weak writing, and inconsistent storylines. However, after watching the Superman trailer, I have a newfound respect for what those shows managed to accomplish under tight restrictions. Superman took just 6-7 weeks to film, to fulfill a runtime of over two hours. However, the creative teams behind Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, and Superman & Lois created complex plots and emotional stories within only 8 days between episodes, to deliver 40-minute runtimes of content each week, while also juggling multiple other shows. Despite these limitations, they managed to deliver countless unforgettable moments, from Barry Allen’s heroic sacrifices to Oliver Queen’s final bow. 

[RELATED: Stephen Amell is Right About The Arrowverse]

Missed Opportunities: Superman Will Deliver What the Arrowverse Couldn’t

For all of its achievements, the Arrowverse did manage to leave several narrative threads unresolved, and some ideas never reached their full potential. One of the most frustrating opportunities that was never explored more was the tease of John Diggle finding a Green Lantern ring. Fans waited eagerly for this storyline to materialize, but it was sadly left as a cliffhanger when Arrow came to a close. In contrast, the Superman trailer confirmed that Nathan Fillion will star as Guy Gardner, a fan-favorite among the Green Lantern Corps. This portrayal alone showcases James Gunn’s commitment to exploring the cosmic side of the DC Universe, in a way that the CW wasn’t able to do. 

While Krypto was included at the end of Superman & Lois, the CW never took much time to delve deeper into his story. Mainly due to budget limitations, visual effects required, and the extensive training needed to create these adventures in live action, it was difficult to realize Krypto’s full potential on the small screen. Luckily, the upcoming film will not be operating under such tight restraints, and given Krypto’s presence in the Superman trailer, he will play a far more prominent role to showcase his connection to the Man of Steel.

In Arrow, Echo Kellum’s Curtis Holt was portrayed as an endearing tech genius and loyal ally, often serving as comic relief while showcasing his brilliance through inventions like the T-Spheres. His character arc leaned heavily into vulnerability, optimism, and a lighthearted demeanor, making him a relatable figure through the darker tones of the show. However, the brief glimpse of Mister Terrific in the Superman trailer suggests he will have a more confident and authoritative portrayal, aligning more closely with his comic book counterpart. This version appears calculated, and self-assured, emphasizing his role as one of the world’s smartest men. Looking ahead, if done correctly, Gunn could even use Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl to bring the Justice Society of America into the new DCU.

The Arrowverse Paved The Way For Superman

While the Superman film represents a new chapter for the DC Universe, it is important to acknowledge the foundation laid by the CW. Before Arrow, the idea of an interconnected superhero television universe was uncharted territory. However, the franchise proved that audiences would be willing to invest in longer narratives if given important crossovers, life-changing events and surprise Easter eggs. For example, when Crisis on Infinite Earths took place, the CW not only united all of its shows in one narrative but managed to celebrate decades of DC storytelling across film and television. From surprise cameos by Tom Welling, Burt Ward, Tom Ellis, Robert Wuhl, Wil Wheaton, and Erica Durance to the induction of the Titans, Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing, and Stargirl, the massive event proved comic book-style crossovers can work on-screen, even with business constraints holding them back.

Without these milestones, it’s hard to imagine Warner Bros. and James Gunn having the confidence to greenlight a project like Superman, given the vast amount of Justice League members set to star in the movie. In many ways, the Arrowverse itself was an experiment of superhero storytelling, which ultimately paved the way for bigger projects to be created in the future. While the CW’s portrayal of DC characters may have had its flaws, they were important to DC fans, and just like the film, will forever remain a legacy.

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11th.

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The reimagined DC Studios, led by co-chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, will be a major player in the 2025 movie scene. Following years of inconsistency and poorly received DCEU projects such as 2017’s Justice League, 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984, 2022’s Black Adam, and 2023’s The Flash, Warner Bros. appointed the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker and the executive to bring DC’s interconnected universe back to life. In the new year, DC will release Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman movie on July 11, 2025, Peacemaker Season 2 in August, and The Sandman Season 2 on a currently unspecified date in 2025.

If DC Studios’ 2025 projects perform well in terms of critical reception, TV ratings, and box office figures, they could put the franchise back on the map. After taking a back seat to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the superhero genre for more than almost two decades, DC now has the opportunity to compete with other IPs. Simply put, 2025 is a pivotal year for DC’s present and future.

What DC Studios Has Planned in 2025

Even though DC will put out just three live-action projects in 2025, one of them is the studio’s most important movie in recent memory. The relaunch of Superman after the Henry Cavill-led and Zack Snyder-directed Man of Steel in 2013 represents DC’s embrace of an ambitious new era. David Corenswet will star as Clark Kent, the titular hero, while Rachel Brosnahan will feature alongside him as Lois Lane. The rest of Superman‘s cast incudes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. The recently released first trailer for Superman has comic book movie fanatics in a frenzy, as the early look at the film’s visuals and the stars in their roles look extremely promising.

Peacemaker provided a rare bright spot for DC in 2022 when the show’s first season aired on Max. The spinoff of 2021’s The Suicide Squad centers on John Cena’s character and is similarly written and directed by Gunn. Peacemaker Season 1 scored 93% among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and posted an 89% audience score. Thus, Season 2 is well positioned to further push DC in a positive direction and to spearhead the universe’s TV sector. Additionally, DC’s 2025 projects may actually work well in tandem despite their differing subject material. The release of Superman only one month earlier could give Peacemaker Season 2 a boost of popularity if the movie impresses viewers.

The Sandman‘s first run on Netflix in 2022 was a major hit. Earning an 88% Rotten Tomatoes critic approval rating and 81% audience score, the series starring Tom Sturridge as the personification of dreams carries a ton of potential as its second season nears. Moreover, The Sandman Season 1 recorded encouraging viewership numbers, so it’s possible that Netflix will continue the show beyond a second season if it can repeat its feats.

Why the Performance of DC Studios’ Projects in 2025 Matters So Much

The degree to which Gunn’s Superman succeeds will decide a lot concerning the DC Universe’s future. The film’s critical and financial performances will likely determine which, as well as how many, projects DC Studios greenlight in the coming years. Superman could even prompt Gunn to end Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe and instead bring the Caped Crusader to the DCU, however, there has been no official indication that such a change will take place, and the speculation largely results from The Batman Part II‘s delay to 2027.

Superman‘s success might also offer insight into how Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which hits theaters in 2026, will be received. The upcoming title stars House of the Dragon‘s Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl. Matthias Schoenaerts and Eve Ridley have also been cast in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, set to play Krem of the Yellow Hills and Ruthye Marye Knoll, respectively.

The stakes for DC Studios can not be higher in 2025, and time will tell if Gunn, Safran, and co. are up for the challenge of restoring fans’ faith in the franchise.

The post Why DC Studios Is About to Have a Big Year in 2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2024 was not a strong year for superhero movies. Even as Deadpool & Wolverine broke various box-office records, this domain was dominated by subpar box-office bombs like Kraven the Hunter, Joker: Folie a Deux, and Madame Web. In the 2010s, this was a subgenre that seemed outright bulletproof. As long as you didn’t release a Dark Phoenix-level turkey, some amount of profitability was at every movie studio’s fingertips. That reality is long gone. In its place is a much more erratic landscape where even Marvel Studios can launch projects that gross under $100 million domestically.

All eyes now turn to 2025 and what it will say for superhero movies. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is the make-or-break year for superhero cinema as we know it. Granted, it’s doubtful Hollywood will entirely abandon these characters if 2025 is as littered with box-office bombs as 2024. However, 2024 going awry for superhero cinema will spell trouble for these titles that not even an eventual Avengers: Endgame-sized hit could rectify. The chips are down and 2025’s superhero titles need to step up to the plate.

What’s at Stake for DC Studios

The severity of 2025 for superhero movies comes down heavily to the proper big-screen launch of DC Studios. July 2025’s Superman will kick off James Gunn and Peter Safran’s era of interconnected DC adaptations. Warner Bros. Pictures executives at all levels of power are crossing their fingers that this summer blockbuster can eradicate all memories of the DC Extended Universe and get folks excited for DC movies again. Ater all, thanks to Black Adam, Wonder Woman 1984, The Flash, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and others, the 2020s have been a dismal time for DC blockbuster movies.

This means Superman is no ordinary movie; it’s not even just the start of a cinematic universe. If Iron Man back in 2008 had bombed, other studios could’ve kept on adapting Marvel characters for the big screen. Superman will be a litmus test for the enduring viability of DC characters. Are people just exhausted with this corner of the comic book world? Can the umpteenth modern Superman reboot finally get people jazzed about this character?

These are the questions lingering over DC’s one big 2025 blockbuster. If Superman works, exciting new opportunities arise for adapting DC characters into live-action. If it craters, then Warner Bros. might have to close the book on costly DC tentpoles for the time being. Even the post-Batman & Robin era of DC movie adaptations wasn’t as dire as 2024 has been for these kinds of superhero films. It seems like everything from darker Todd Phillips directorial efforts to crowdpleaser blockbusters involving these characters is ignored by audiences. Superman’s box office performance will offer a clear glimpse into whether or not DC characters have a future in movie theaters

[RELATED: Every Marvel Movie That Doesn’t Have a Post-Credits Scene]

What Does 2025 Look Like for Marvel Studios?

Deadpool & Wolverine is both a blessing and a curse for Marvel Studios in 2025. This massive pop culture phenomenon proved the label could still produce big hits. However, it’s also unclear right now if that was an anomaly or not. 2025’s most worrisome element for Marvel Studios is that two of its big movies (Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*) continue storylines and character arcs from post-2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe media. Here comes a big test of how much audiences care about MCU material that was not introduced in the pre-Endgame days.

Not helping matters is Brave New World’s incredibly rocky production, which has only accentuated critiques of how Marvel Studios makes its movies. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, meanwhile, has the daunting task of finally properly adapting a comic book group known for headlining infamously dismal movies. Marvel’s three 2025 movies and Superman all encapsulate one recurring problem 2025 must contend with: over-familiarity. All these titles are dealing with characters that have all been seen in live-action before. There are no Guardians of the Galaxy or Wonder Woman blockbusters on the docket that finally let underseen comic book mainstays anchor a tentpole release.

With so much pressure on superhero movies in 2025, relying on familiar figures like Superman and Captain America may put studio executives at ease. However, it also ensures fewer chances for big superhero movie surprises that take pop culture by storm. As audiences bemoan the staleness of comic book adaptations, these properties need to take more risks, not cling to the familiar. The precariousness of Marvel and DC in the pop culture zeitgeist has informed a worrisome 2025 slate heavy on retreading ground.

The good news, at least, is that there are tremendous upsides if these 2025 blockbusters do work. First Steps and Superman becoming box office hits would be especially welcoming for both Marvel and DC since it would mean each company’s flagship characters finally have well-received 21st-century big-screen incarnations. However, if 2025’s superhero movies keep performing like most 2023 and 2024 superhero titles at the box office, this subgenre will officially be in dire straits. Unfortunately, that outcome will involve these titles fizzling out clinging to what’s worked in the past rather than exploding in a blaze of creative gusto.

The post Is 2025 the Make-or-Break Year for Superhero Movies? appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The recent delay of The Batman: Part II to October 2027 signals more than just a typical Hollywood production setback. This unprecedented five-year gap between Batman installments creates a complex scenario for Warner Bros. Discovery, as the studio must balance the proven success of Reeves’ grounded take on the Dark Knight with their ambitious plans for James Gunn’s interconnected DC Universe. The situation becomes even more complex considering that The Brave and the Bold‘s status remains fluid, with attached director Andy Muschietti teasing that the project is still in early development. So, at this moment, neither planned movie featuring the Dark Knight is moving forward.

While the situation might seem dire for fans of the Caped Crusader, the delay of The Batman‘s sequel could prove an essential tool in deciding the franchise’s future. Even though DC Studios co-head James Gunn attributes the postponement to script development, the timing suggests Warner Bros. Discovery might be orchestrating a strategic pause to evaluate the box office performance of Superman in July 2025 before committing to the future of Matt Reeves’ cinematic universe.

A Tale of Two Dark Knights

Matt Reeves has built his Batman universe around a grounded, realistic approach that deliberately avoids the more fantastical elements of DC Comics. Even before 2022’s The Batman became a box office hit, Reeves had emphasized his commitment to finding grounded versions of these characters, much like his reinvention of the Riddler as a Zodiac Killer-inspired murderer.

Meanwhile, the DCU is embracing comic book elements in their purest form. Superman will feature Krypto the Superdog and introduce heroes like Metamorpho and Mister Terrific, signaling a full commitment to the source material’s more colorful aspects. Of course, this tonal difference extends to the DCU’s planned Batman film, The Brave and the Bold, which will introduce Batman’s fast-aged biological son, Damian Wayne, and other members of the extended Bat-family.

This divergence creates a strategic dilemma. While having two distinct Batman franchises could appeal to different audiences, it risks confusing casual moviegoers who might not understand why Robert Pattinson and the DCU’s yet-to-be-cast Batman exist in separate universes. Furthermore, the simultaneous existence of two Batman franchises presents unique business challenges beyond box office considerations. Warner Bros. Discovery would need to navigate the complex task of marketing distinct Batman merchandise lines concurrently. This dual-track merchandising approach risks either confusing younger consumers or diluting the Batman brand’s overall market impact.

Regardless of how you look at the issue, it’s clear DC Studios has a tough decision to make. Scrapping Reeves’ project in favor of the DCU would waste the franchise’s potential, especially considering the recent success of The Penguin. They could also merge the two cinematic franchises, giving Pattison the role of the DCU’s Batman. This second path leads to a bumpy road, as Reeves probably wouldn’t be happy about DC Studios hijacking his franchise. In addition, DC Studios will have to do some serious retconning to make The Batman fit with the DCU’s timeline. Finally, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery can bite the bullet, allow two live-action Batmen to exist simultaneously, and deal with the potential problems as they emerge.

So, which direction will DC Studios go? Well, they might let Superman decide it for them.

[Related: The DCU Is Better Off Without More Batman Movies for Awhile]

Superman’s Success Will Define Batman’s Live-Action Future

Superman‘s performance in 2025 could serve as a crucial litmus test for the DCU’s broader appeal. If the Man of Steel’s return proves to be a massive box office success with its more optimistic, family-friendly approach, Warner Bros. Discovery might be more inclined to fully commit to the DCU’s vision, potentially at the expense of Reeves’ darker, more grounded take on Batman. Conversely, if Superman achieves only moderate success, the studio might see more value in maintaining diverse approaches to their DC properties. This would justify keeping Reeves’ Batman separate, allowing it to continue serving audiences who prefer more realistic, noir-styled superhero storytelling. 

Of course, the creative decisions concerning the DCU must go through Gunn and his DC Studios. Still, Warner Bros. Discovery is the entity that ultimately signs the checks, and the company had greenlighted Reeves’ Batman trilogy even before Gunn took over the universe planning. So, when Superman flies high or crashes at the box office, Warner Bros. Discovery might steer DC Studios in a more profitable direction. Whatever the case might be, for now, we can only hope Gunn will keep his focus on the quality of DC projects while balancing the commercial success he needs for Warner Bros. Discovery to allow him autonomy in DC Studios.

Superman releases in theaters on July 11, 2025, while The Batman: Part II is scheduled for October 1, 2027.

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The Superman trailer has continued to generate conversations about the DC Studios movie universe and the Man of Steel’s return to the big screen. It’s also inspired any number of debates and comparisons to previous Superman films, and that will only continue as we get closer to the much anticipated 2025 premiere. One of the Superman projects that’s frequently come up in conversation as a result has been Smallville, and YouTube user Bauan Edits has crafted a delightful new trailer edit that gives the new Superman film a Smallville intro makeover. As you can see in the video right here, its pretty perfect, but take a look for yourself and let us know if you agree.

The Superman opening stars with that now iconic Somebody Save Me introduction, which plays as David Corenswet’s Superman hits the screen. Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) is next, followed by Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), and Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific) before moving into a montage of footage.

Later in the trailer we get spotlights on Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), and a quick shot of Metamorpho before the trailer crescendos into the final moment of the original trailer between Superman and Lois. You can watch the full trailer above.

Smallville took a different approach to the Superman mythology, and while there were plenty of other costumed heroes featured in the show, it wasn’t until the finale that fans finally saw Superman in costume, and even that was brief. This new Superman project will be the polar opposite in regards to the costume, as not only is Kal-El already Superman and a ways into his superhero career here, but he’s also in a costume that embraces the classic suits from the comics, including the ever so iconic red trunks.

[RELATED: Mark Waid Wins Best Writer of (Golden Issue Awards 2024)]

In a previous interview with ComicBook, Superman director James Gunn revealed what led to the trunks being a part of the costume this time around, and it turns out Gunn was initially against including them.

“At the end of the day, [the debate] wasn’t that heated. It was heated for a while. I was on the ‘no trunks’ team for a long time,” Gunn said. “And [Man of Steel director] Zack [Snyder] said that when he was doing it, he tried a billion different trunk versions as we did. And I kept going back to no trunks, no trunks, no trunks. And I’m like, well, ‘Let’s just grind it out. Let’s just keep trying trunks and see what happens.’ And David [Corenswet] said something to me that really affected me.”

“We were trying on all these different versions, and we screen-tested with trunks and no trunks. And one of the things David said is that Superman wants kids to not be afraid of him. He’s an alien. He’s got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes, can blow the truck over. He’s this incredibly powerful, could be considered scary, individual and he wants people to like him. He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity,” Gunn said.

What did you think of the Superman Smallville trailer? You can talk all things Superman and Smallville with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

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The first teaser trailer for James Gunn’s Superman has already become an acclaimed and widely-viewed release. Even the most dubious spectators have been charmed by the teaser’s commitment to a non-satirical tone and emphasis on emotional vulnerability. After years and years of various forms of Superman-related media apologizing for core facets of the character, Gunn’s Superman teaser has been hailed for embracing everything that makes the hero unique; plus, it’s just a dynamic and moving work in terms of editing and music choice.

The Superman teaser trailer has already become so beloved that it’s even spawned discussion and declarations that it’s the greatest superhero movie teaser trailer of all time. While it is great, there is one other inaugural trailer for a superhero film that will always reign supreme over others: Back in 2001, the world first caught a glimpse of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man in a teaser trailer that, decades later, still resonates as a wonderful piece of movie marketing.

The Spider-Man Teaser Trailer Ushered In Superhero Blockbusters

Back in the day, big summer blockbusters like T2: Judgement Day or 1998’s Godzilla kicked off their marketing campaigns with teaser trailers dropped an entire year in advance. This significant amount of lead time gave moviegoers the idea that this movie was something so special, that it simply had to be promoted eons ahead of time. So it was with 2002’s Spider-Man, which dropped a teaser in the summer of 2001 comprised exclusively of footage shot for the trailer. This promotional piece began with a bank closing up for the night, only for a group of gun-toting thieves to break into the establishment. They snatch their money and make their way to the roof of the bank, where an escape helicopter awaits them.

As they speed away, cheering on the ease of their crime, the helicopter suddenly stops. Before any of the crooks can respond, the helicopter is pulled back by some kind of web before it suddenly stops. The camera then pans out to reveal the helicopter (with the thieves still inside) caught inside a spider web spun between the Twin Towers. After this, audiences get a good look at the figure responsible for foiling these evildoers: Spider-Man. He swings around the city while distinctly early-2000s rock music blares and on-screen text urges viewers to return to theaters next summer for “the ultimate spin.”

[Related: Kraven the Hunter Has One of the Craziest Marvel Movie Production Stories Ever]

It’s an incredibly exciting teaser trailer full of pomp and circumstance, starting with the fact that it functions practically as a standalone short film. Today, trailers merely utilize footage from the movies they’re promoting or even eerily appropriate real-life news footage to controversial results. This Spider-Man teaser, meanwhile, went through the trouble of shooting and realizing an elaborate bank heist sequence just to launch this feature’s marketing campaign. The dedication results in a fully-distinct teaser in terms of structure and style.

The Classical & Tragic Qualities of Spider-Man’s Teaser Trailer

It’s a great touch to have the teaser orient around a group of classic bank robbers that could’ve been ripped straight out of a 1960s comic. This detail immediately reflected the creative sensibilities of Sam Raimi’s vision for the Spider-Man film and its unabashedly old-school flourishes. On top of all that, the structure of the trailer (and, most likely, limited finished visual effects for Spider-Man in the summer of 2001) means that audiences don’t get an overdose of Spidey in the trailer. There’s just enough here to get people excited, but this teaser doesn’t wade into spoiler-heavy territory that later Amazing Spider-Man trailers of the 2010s would revel in.

The Spider-Man teaser trailer’s legacy was also cemented by horrifically tragic circumstances, as it debuted just months before the September 11th terrorist attacks occurred. The teaser was immediately pulled due to its prominent use of the World Trade Center, instantly becoming a mythic relic of an era that had come to a sudden and violent end. To gaze upon this teaser now is to see how those Twin Towers were once thought of as a permanent American landmark and such a staple of New York City that they had to show up in a movie about the quintessential Big Apple superhero, Spider-Man.

Spider-Man’s teaser also functions as an unintentional ode to an arcane way of marketing superhero movies – a sort of “proof of concept” sizzle reel to get viewers to buy into the idea that Spider-Man was even a doable in live-action. It’s hard to imagine modern studios needing to spend that kind of money just to create exclusive footage to “sell” audiences on a superhero movie concept. With all due respect to the artistic virtues of Superman’s teaser, that very first Spider-Man teaser is such a unique milestone that it’ll never be dethroned.

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The teaser trailer for James Gunn’s Superman — the first movie to come from the newly created DCU — has broken records for DC Studios and Warner Bros. Most fans seem to be loving the new take on the Man of Steel, which stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, and that fan love has extended to the online creative community. Trevor Carlee, who has become famous for turning popular movie trailers into LEGO animations, has given the brick-by-brick treatment to the new Superman.

On Christmas morning, Carlee uploaded the LEGO version of the Superman teaser trailer to YouTube, once again blowing fellow fans away with the seamless transitions (that look every bit as good as The LEGO Movie). You can check out the full version of the Superman LEGO trailer in the video at the top of the page!

Carlee has done a bunch of these popular LEGO trailers and movie/TV clips, including the LEGO version of the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer earlier this year.

There is a lot of hype for this version of Superman, especially as it ushers in the James Gunn era of big screen DC projects. After helming three Guardians of the Galaxy films for Marvel, and The Suicide Squad for DC, Gunn is bringing his sentimental and exciting approach to one of the most iconic superheroes in history.

[RELATED: Ranking the Best Superman Costumes Across Media]

David Corenswet, who was recently seen in Twisters, won the coveted role of Clark Kent, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Emmy-winner Rachel Brosnahan landed the part of Lois Lane. X-Men alum and Mad Max: Fury Road star Nicholas Hoult was tapped to play the villainous Lex Luthor.

The cast of Superman also includes Skyler Gisondo as Clark’s best pal, Jimmy Olsen; Wendell Pierce as The Daily Planet’s Perry White; Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl; Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders, aka Hawkgirl; Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner; Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord; Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt, aka Mister Terrific; Maria Gabriela de Faria as Angela Spica, aka The Engineer; Sara Sampan as Eve Teschmacher; Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason, aka Metamorphosis; Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.; Neva Howell as Martha Kent; and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent.

As you can probably tell from those character names, a lot of these folks are going to help usher in the greater DC Universe. Grillo’s Flag has already debuted in the franchise, as he is one of the stars of the animated Creature Commandos TV series. Fillion’s Guy Gardner is one of the most popular Green Lanterns in the pages of DC Comics, right behind the likes of Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Those two characters will be appearing in HBO’s upcoming Lanterns series, being played by Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, respectively.

Milly Alcock’s Supergirl has already been announced to lead her own solo film in this DCU. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is slated to be released in 2026, just about a year after the debut of Superman.

Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

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James Gunn’s Superman movie will debut in theaters on July 11th, 2025, marking the proper debut of the DCU after its animated series lead-in Creature Commandos. Gunn’s Superman movie draws from several influences, including Christopher Reeve’s Superman, with Gunn bringing back John Williams’ Superman theme song in a strategic new way. The first trailer for Superman provided sounds from the movie’s score, which includes some noticeable implementation of the John Williams’ Superman theme. However, rather than being a direct recreation of the Williams theme, Gunn’s use of it for Superman might be the best way to bring it into a modern adventure with the Man of Steel.

The John Williams Superman Theme Is Iconic (But Simply Copy & Pasting It Doesn’t Work)

1978’s Superman: The Movie brought the Man of Steel to life as he never had been before, and kicked off the modern superhero movie genre with it. That status has also elevated Williams’ Superman theme to be effectively synonymous with the character in virtually every medium. However, even with a theme as iconic as Williams’ Superman score, simply applying it to a modern Superman movie isn’t enough to make it resonate with audiences in a non-Christopher Reeve context.

This was seen in 2006’s Superman Returns, which retained the Williams theme and acted as a modern continuation of the first two Christopher Reeve Superman films. Unfortunately, Superman Returns didn’t land with the impact Warner Bros. was hoping for, exemplifying the complexity of recreating nostalgia for Christopher Reeve’s Superman in a modern era. 2017’s theatrical cut of Justice League made an even more historic folly of trying to retrofit the Williams’ theme as part of the movie’s infamous reshoots and re-working, and the far stronger reception to Zack Snyder’s Justice League shows that the Williams’ Superman theme can’t simply be reverse-engineered to fit any Superman movie or show.

The Superman TV series Smallville probably handled the Williams theme the best of any modern adaptation of the Man of Steel: While having its own theme and soundtrack, Smallville integrated the Williams theme more selectively at a few key points in the show, specifically in Christopher Reeve’s appearances as Dr. Virgil Swann in Season 2, and in the Smallville series finale when Tom Welling’s Clark Kent finally becomes Superman. Meanwhile, if its inclusion in the Superman trailer is any indication, it would seem that Gunn’s use of the Williams’ ‘Superman theme is following the Smallville playbook.

[RELATED: Superman Director Reveals How David Corenswet Reminded Him of Christopher Reeve]

Gunn’s Superman Movie Is Putting A Modern Spin On The John Williams Theme

The trailer for James Gunn’s Superman film includes recognizable chords from the Williams’ Superman theme, but it doesn’t try to directly replay it – and in fact significantly re-imagines it. The theme heard in Gunn’s Superman trailer includes a guitar version of the chords from the Williams theme, along with a more traditional orchestral score alongside it.

Moreover, Gunn’s Superman trailer music also includes some surprisingly heavy and mythic-sounding orchestral work reminiscent of Hans Zimmer’s Man of Steel theme. In all, the Superman trailer makes clear that Gunn’s film and the score for it take a degree of influence from Christopher Reeve’s Superman and John Williams’ Superman theme, but not to the extent of simply transplanting it into a modern Superman film.

Why Gunn’s Reworked John Williams’ Superman Theme Could Work

As previously stated, past attempts to simply drop the Williams theme into a modern Superman adaptation have largely fallen flat. Even still, that doesn’t change the iconography of the theme itself and how cherished it is within Superman fandom. With the past failures of overtly utilizing the Williams theme in contemporary Superman films, Gunn’s more calculated approach could actually be the one to pull it off. Compared to the blunt instrument the Williams theme ended up being in Justice League 2017, Gunn’s more subtle use of it and especially its punk rock re-imagining presents the theme as something new, but still iconic; enduring in its core themes, even as the times (and sounds of music) change.

Bringing the Williams’ Superman theme out of the Christopher Reeve Superman era doesn’t have a long track record of success, but Gunn’s reworking of it for his Superman movie might finally be what was needed to do the trick if it balances the new and the classic well.

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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James Gunn’s Superman trailer includes the Man of Steel’s canine pal Krypto the Superdog, who may be the most polarizing element of the movie. The Superman trailer provides the first proper tease of Gunn’s upcoming DCU, with David Corenswet’s Superman dealing with a lot of challenges and hardships in the trailer. Fortunately, his loyal dog Krypto is on hand to provide Kal-El with some support. Krypto was teased by Gunn in the lead-up to the Superman trailer – and was featured in on of the first promo images. While Krypto brings some undeniable charm and lovability to the Superman trailer, his role in the movie might not be as easy to sell audiences on.

Krypto Is Hard To Pull Off In Live-Action

While Krypto the Superdog has been a feature of DC Comics for decades, his live-action appearances have been few and far between. The reason for that is simple: Krypto is just difficult to translate to the screen in a live-action format. While the role of Krypto in 2022’s DC animated movie DC’s League of Super Pets ran with the magic and whimsy of a super-powered canine superhero, the contrast of Krypto’s live-action roles shows how bringing him to life in live-action often comes with considerable modification.

Clark Kent’s dog Shelby in Smallville was the subject of lab experiments and was as loyal to Clark as one would expect Superman’s dog to be. At the same time, Clark giving Shelby the moniker of Krypto acted as more of an Easter egg than a proper name. Krypto’s appearance on Superman & Lois also didn’t happen until the final epilogue of the last season, and even then, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman had advanced into old age with his life as Superman mostly behind him, with Krypto serving as a loyal companion with no superpowers. James Gunn’s Superman is, in a sense, the first real attempt to truly adapt Krypto the Superdog into live-action as an active player in Superman’s world.

RELATED: Everything to Know About Krypto the Superdog

Gunn’s Krypto If A Fitting DC Comics Homage

When it comes to Gunn’s take on Krypto, he seems to be swinging for the fences with the super-powered canine. The Superman trailer shows Superman, seemingly wounded and exhausted, crash-landing in the Arctic, whistling for Krypto, and asking him to “Take me home“, with Krypto pulling Superman through the snow by his cape.

That obviously indicates super-strength as one of Krypto’s powers from the comics, while he also exhibits super-speed as he zooms through the snow like a snow plow. On top of having essentially the same powers as David Corenswet’s Superman, Krypto also carries a flowing red cape complete with Superman’s S-shield. While Gunn has made clear that Krypto won’t be a talking dog in Superman, his version of Krypto realizes the super-pet’s power and presence perfectly. Granted, this breed of dog Gunn has cast as Krypto is very different than the Golden Retriever breed usually seen in comics, but it seems DCU Krypto will also be an Easter egg ode to some of Gunn’s real-life pets. That personal touch could either make Krypto even more endearing to viewers – or come off as an egotistical choice that bucks comic book tradition.

Superman’s Krypto Will Either Be Great or A Major Flaw

Gunn’s previous comic book movies tend to have animal characters and side-kicks of sorts, such as Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, or Weasel in The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos. Though Krypto won’t talk, Gunn’s evident ability to make anthropomorphic animals into break-out characters could spell good things for the reception of Krypto’s role in Superman.

On the other hand, the fact that every preceding live-action Superman property has gone out of its way to modify Krypto (if not omit him) also speaks to the inherent silliness of the character at a conceptual level. Adorable or not, a super-powered dog with a cape reads like a very goofy element in a superhero movie that’s trying to have genuine stakes and challenges for Superman. If Gunn can’t work the same magic with Krypto the Superdog that he did with Groot, Rocket Raccoon, and Weasel, Krypto might end up being a major Achille’s Heel of his Superman film. Superman himself might be the most iconic superhero in existence, but Krypto the Superdog in (what is, for all intents and purposes) his live-action debut could either win over or annoy audiences.

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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James Gunn’s Superman movie trailer came flying in like a speeding bullet and immediately got the world’s attention. There’s already a lot of discourse and debate about Funn’s version of Superman – especially one set in a world that’s already populated with many other heroes. However, beyond all the discourse about Gunn’s vision of Superman, the performances of lead cast members David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and whether Gunn is working with too many threads of the larger DCU was a technical concern: the color gradient of the footage.

The Long Debate About Superman Coloring

DC fans have been somewhat critical of how Superman looks on film ever since Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel dropped its first teaser trailer back in 2012. Snyder presented fans with a desaturated version of a modern Superman – reflecting the ‘dark and gritty’ trend of 2010s superhero films. Immediately there was criticism of coloring approach – and it would continue to be a major talking point within the DC fandom throughout the Snyderverse era of the franchise. In fact, when James Gunn directed his first DC movie, The Suicide Squad, it’s bright, colorful tones quickly drew a line in the sand for many fans, between the Snyderverse and “Gunnverse” – one that many fans defined by (among other things) the clear difference in color grading.

[RELATED: Why Superman (2025) Needs So Many DCU Character Cameos]

The main focus of the complaints about Snyder was that he robbed Superman of the hopefulness and optimism that conveyed through bright, colorful depictions of the heroic icon. It was thought that getting a new version of Superman that comes in that bright, colorful, format was giving fans what they wanted – but alas, now “too much color” is one of the most common complaints about the footage.

Why Does Gunn’s Superman Trailer Footage Coloring Look So Weird?

We can only speculate, since we can’t peek under the hood to check out all the filming techiques and cameras Gunn used on Superman; that said, film tech enthusiasts and cinephiles have been freely offering some explanations for why Gunn’s Superman trailer may not be getting the ideal presentation on certain devices.

Long technical breakdown made short: It looks like Gunn is using a wide and very dynamic scale of color grading and contrasts in the film – not to mention ratios that favor the planned IMAX format of Superman that Warner Bros. and DC Studios no doubt want to sell people on. In terms of the colors: techniques like “split toning clor contrast” seem to be getting applied to the footage, allowing Gunn to selectively higlight certain parts of an image against background that might be of a cooler tone. The thematic reasoning makes sense – i.e., Superman having a “brighter” presence within a world that is drab-looking in the background.

However, technically speaking, it may be a lot for certain devices to handle the complexity of some shots in the trailer, if that device has certain coloring or tonal deficiencies in certain areas (like creating sharp black tones, balancing hues and color temperatures properly, etc).

So yes, scenes like Clark Kent or Superman trying to move through human crowds may look mismatched to the hero out flying and fighting in a bright superhero fantasy moment; and depending on the ratio scale, moments like Superman punching his way out of box may seem flater or more fish-eyed in scope on a smaller screen (like you phone).

What’s the Best Way to Watch the Superman Trailer?

After taking the time to view the Superman trailer on a phone, a tablet, compter monitors, laptops and 4K TV, we can say that it’s clear that Gunn, his Superman cinematographer (and longtime collaborator) Henry Braham, and DC Studios/Warner Bros. are creating cinematic content for 4K – 8K TV technology that will become the new standard in home viewing over the next few years. Gunn’s footage definitely utilitlizes the deep-bench range of visual display features and options that even top line brands like Sony offer – and to the director’s credit, the Superman footage holds up to that instensive technological scrutinuy – down to being able to see every individiual bump of texture in Corenswet’s Superman suit.

Watching the Superman trailer on a big , 4K (or above) TV is the way to go; if that option isn’t available to you, then a tablet or laptop that is able to play higher resolutions like 1440p and 2160p (4K) would be the next best option. Both 1440p and 2160p versions of the Superman trailer are available to view on YouTube.

Superman has a release date of July 11, 2025.

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There were a bevy of intriguing details littered throughout the new Superman trailer, and one of the key moments can be seen further into the trailer when Superman is seen holding a damaged robot. That robot is in all likelihood the character known in the conics as Kelex, which is a deeper cut as far as DC characters go. What might you surprise you more though is the creation of Kelex and its connection to Hellboy, and it all stems from Mike Mignola.

If you’re not familiar with Kelex, it’s perfectly understandable. Kelex is mainly a fixture of Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, so unless a story heavily involves the Fortress you’re likely not seeing much of Kelex in the series aside from a brief appearance or two.

Kelex was created by the team of John Byrne and Hellboy creator himself Mike Mignola, who is also responsible for characters like Abe Sapien, Lobster Johnson, Sir Edward Grey Witchfinder, and more. Kelex first appeared in The Man of Steel #1 back in 1986. On Krypton, the House of El had a host of Kryptonian Service Robots in their service, and one of them was known as Kelex. Kelex was assigned to Jor-El and was extremely loyal to the El family and Jor-El, though Kelex was unfortunately destroyed with the rest of Krypton.

Kelex would enter the world of the living once again though thanks to the action s of a Kryptonian relic known as The Eradicator. The Eradicator sought to transform Earth into a new version of Krypton, and that led to the creation of the Fortress of Solitude and a clone of Kelex. This was the original origin story of the Fortress, and while it has changed a few times over the years, Kelex has maintained a consistent presence in these various iterations.

[RELATED: DC’s The Question: All Along The Watchtower Writer Talks Batwoman Reunion and Teases Big Clues]

Kelex has helped Superman numerous times in the years since, and it could very well be that fans will meet Kelex in the new film only to also see him die by movie’s end. That’s the vibe the scene featuring Kelex definitely gives, though this could also mean something is happening regarding the fortress and he has been attacked but is still among the living. Fingers crossed that latter idea is the case.

Over the years fans have seen Kelex pop up from time to time, even making an appearance in the Arrowverse. Kelex showed up in Supergirl’s For The Girl Who Has Everything episode back in 2016, and he received a bit of an upgrade in his Arowwverse iteration. The almost lamp-style head design was still there, as was the shorter stature, but there were more modern details in the torso and arms.

Kelex also showed up briefly in the Snyderverse DCU, and has also appeared in various other comics with alternate versions and even video games. Now fans will get a new version of the robot ally, which seems to blend some of those other designs into one that is sleek and silver.

As for why Superman is holding him, we’ll just have to wait and see, but it doesn’t exactly seem like a hopeful situation. That said, there have been many different versions of the character over the years, and when you are dealing with robots and androids, there’s always a chance they can return in some form down the road. Hopefully that’s the case here as well.

The Superman trailer gave us first looks at a host of other Superman-related characters too, including Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Metamorpho, and the adorable super-pup Krypto. While we’ve seen various versions of Superman, Lois, and Lex over the years on the big screen, this will be the first time we’ve seen characters like Guy, Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Krypto in film. After seeing Krypto rescue Superman in the trailer, he would presumably take him to the Fortress, and perhaps that is where we will see Kelex make his DC Studios debut too.

Superman soars into theaters on July 11th, 2025.

Are you excited for Kelex making his DC Studios debut? You can talk all things DC Universe with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

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James Gunn’s Superman trailer has set the Internet on fire and like all big comic book movie releases, the opinions about this first teaser were far from unanimous. One of the biggest criticisms of Gunn’s take on Superman and his world was that that world was overpopulated with other characters from the DC Universe franchise. The Superman trailer gave us looks at Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, The Authority’s Engineer, and Metamorpho – each connected to other corners of the DCU that will be explored in future projects.

The initial concern from fans is that DC Studios is making a Marvel Studios-style mistake by trying to build out a shared universe at the expense of a focused character story. However, James Gunny has both said – and now demonstrated – that he’s taking a different approach. And, when you look at what Bunn is doing, there’s clear potential his Superman to be distinct from all previous movie versions of the character – precisely because he exists within a world of other superheroes.

What Is A Hero?

Moviegoers are familiar with the idea of a Superman movie examining the idea of a god-like being living among men, and/or a godly being trying to fit in amongst everyday humans – core themes of the character that resonate with all kinds of people. One thing that no live-action Superman movie has explored yet, however, is how Superman stands as an example to other superheroes.

Ideally, Superman is the archetype that other superheroes aspire to be. That said, we already know that DCU characters like Batman will have different opinions about what crime-fighting should be; other heroes like Guy Gardner will be doing hero work under contract; and Gunn including a team like The Authority in the DCU suggests that there will likely be a new age of heroes who see Superman as naive and outdated (a la DC’s famous “Kingdom Come” storyline). That’s a complicated new layer of story Gunn is adding to his Superman film – but done right, it could be a powerful piece of the larger thematic puzzle.

The World’s Finest

Avengers: Endgame delivered one of the most iconic moments in comic book history when Captain America thought he was the last man standing against Thanos, only to have his own army of Marvel heroes return from the dead in time to join him on the battlefield. A big part of the gravitas in that scene comes from seeing Cap, battered and bloodied, still willing to face insurmountable odds in an act of pure (if not naive) heroism. The cathartic payoff of Captain America’s bravery and purity of heart rewarded by other heroes standing at his side was epic for Marvel – and it’s the kind of thing James Gunn’s DCU needs to establish for its version of Superman.

This first Superman movie doesn’t need to rush to the finish of Superman being revered by his fellow superheroes: it simply needs to capitalize on the opportunity of introducing the debate, so that’s Superman’s scenes with other DCU heroes are as meaningful as his interactions with everyday humans.

[RELATED: Who Is The Big Bad Villain of the DCU?]

The Hierarchy of Power (& Friendship) in the DCU

The DCU is a particularly tricky shared universe to build – precisely because a character like Superman exists within it. As a force of god-like power, it’s easy for Supes to overshadow virtually any other hero, thereby creating all kinds of logistical hangups. Gunn and co. don’t want fans watching other DCU projects asking “Wouldn’t Superman show up?” or “Wouldn’t they call Superman to handle that threat?” and it’s an issue he can deal with decisively and concisely, in this Superman movie.

Gunn will clearly be investing story time into examining the boundary lines between Superman’s self-motivated actions as a hero how those actions impact geopolitics. However, there also hints the story of Superman will address how his image and goals as a hero may conflict with other heroes operating around the globe. Early leaks from the Superman set indicated that characters seen in the trailer like Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) could be working for evil tycoon Maxwell Lord – possibly as a DCU version of the Justice League International group. That’s already a meta-rich thematic arc pitting Superman’s ‘pure-hearted’ heroism against figures operating on a corporate-sponsored agenda: it’s also a great way of establishing why Superman (for all his godly power) can’t step on the proverbial toes of other heroes without possibly causing major issues.

On a less cynical note: Superman could also end its story by giving Clark Kent his own mini-version of Steve Rogers’ climatic moment: i.e., realizing that he has friends there to help him carry the burden of saving the world. Having Superman go from a place of operating solo to earning his place as the core figure of a big, organized, team of heroes would firmly establish his importance across the modern-day DCU, while also creating a good reason for why the Man of Steel doesn’t always swoop in and end all the threats other heroes face: he trusts them to handle their part.

If nothing else, Gunn is attempting to tell a definitive Superman cinematic story on a scale no one else (besides maybe Lois & Clark) has attempted. Dismissing it out of hand as another example of franchise-building fluff ignores the potential for Superman to make more relevant – and resonant – use of its shared universe format than any has before.

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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James Gunn’s Superman has a surprising commonality with Zack Snyder’s version of the Last Son of Krypton. The new Superman movie released its first trailer, providing a glimpse into the world of James Gunn’s DCU and David Corenswet’s Man of Steel. Gunn himself has cited numerous influences on his Superman movie, including Zack Snyder’s work on 2013’s Man of Steel.

Indeed, the Superman trailer showcases some unexpected similarities in tone and feel to Snyder’s much-debated take on Superman. However, perhaps the most prominent Snyderverse similarity seen in the Superman trailer is how the public perceives David Corenswet’s Superman in a manner not unlike Henry Cavill’s Superman, as seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

James Gunn’s Superman Is Not Universally Loved By The Public

The Superman trailer shows David Corenswet’s Man of Steel experiencing a surprising amount of hardship and difficulty. Some of it takes a physical form, as seen in Superman falling into the Arctic wounded and needing his super-dog’s help to get home. But more noticeably, Superman is not a warmly0embraced hero in the trailer for Gunn’s movie, and seems to be dealing with a fair amount of public backlash and skepticism.

This is most prominently seen when Superman is jeered at by an angry crowd of people, with one man even throwing a can at his head. Superman seeks refuge from the furious mob inside an infamous DCU company’s building, while Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and other heroes come to his defense, suggests this is a Superman who is struggling with his public perception.

RELATED: Superman: James Gunn Debunks Hilarious New Rumor

Why Zack Snyder’s Superman Was Feared (At First)

Zack Snyder previously tackled the idea of the public being divided on Superman in the 2013 reboot Man of Steel, with Henry Cavill’s Superman revealing himself to the world when General Zod (Michael Shannon) launches an invasion to terraform Earth into a new Krypton. The tremendous destruction of Superman’s battle against General Zod and his Kryptonian army leaves the world sharply divided on whether Superman can be trusted, with Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) being particularly worried about Superman’s potential to “burn the whole place down.“

Cavill’s Superman fights an even greater battle against a heavily divided human populace in Batman v Superman, and it’s only through his sacrifice to save the world from a literal Doomsday monster that humanity comes to finally see him as an ally. It also inspires Batman to team up with Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to form Zack Snyder’s Justice League, with the team eventually reviving Superman to stop an invasion from the war-mongering planet Apokolips, led by Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds). In the end, Henry Cavill’s Superman overcomes Makind’s initial fears and is fully revered as a hero. However, the reasons for Corenswet’s Superman experiencing such distrust could be quite different.

RELATED: David Corenswet Explains Why Superman’s “Naivety” Is His Greatest Superpower

Why Gunn’s Superman Could Be A Polarizing Figure

While Man of Steel tells the origin story of Henry Cavill’s Superman, James Gunn’s Superman begins with Corenswet’s Last Son of Krypton having already been a public hero for some time. This suggests that the population of Earth has had a chance to get acclimated to living in a Superman world, and also indicates that the backlash Corenswet’s Superman faces is a development that occurs during the film, rather than something that is the status quo from the start.

As to what could have caused Corenswet’s Superman to face a public that is growing distrustful of and furious with him: It could come as the result of a failed mission on Superman’s part, or some level of collateral damage that the public holds Superman responsible for. Nicolas Hoult’s Lex Luthor could also be launching a smear campaign against Superman that turns a large percentage of the public against him. Whatever the case, the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman makes it clear that David Corenswet and Henry Cavill’s Supermen share a major commonality in both having to face a public that views them with distrust and hatred. The major difference could come in how Corenswet’s Superman faces the challenge of convincing the world that he’s here to protect them.

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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Look up. Warner Bros.’ WaterTower Music officially released composer John Murphy’s Superman theme from the film’s first trailer, which puts an electric guitar riff on John Williams’ soaring music from Richard Donner’s Superman movie. Titled “Theme from Superman (Trailer Version),” the first listen from Murphy’s score slowly builds toward an epic version of Williams’ uplifting and heroic theme music that has been associated with the Man of Steel since Christopher Reeve made us believe a man could fly in 1978.

Hear Murphy’s Superman theme get up, up and away below or listen on Spotify.

[RELATED: Superman Director James Gunn on DCU Connections to the Upcoming Lanterns and Peacemaker: “Every Beat Has to Be In There for the Movie Itself”]

Previously titled Superman: Legacy, writer-director James Gunn’s Superman movie reboot is paying homage to the character’s cinematic legacy with a musical score that invokes the theme music that has been reused in everything from 2006’s Superman Returns to 2017’s Justice League and 2022’s Black Adam.

“There’s nods to Williams, and then also John Murphy’s created this incredibly beautiful score,” Gunn, who collaborated with the British composer on his films The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, told reporters about Murphy’s score during a visit to the film’s set.

Gunn noted that Murphy’s scoring of Superman is a more traditional “score, not a soundtrack,” after the filmmaker compiled mix tapes of preexisting songs for his past superhero projects — everything from Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy to Wig Wam’s “Do Ya Wanna Taste It” in 2022’s Peacemaker.

“It’s not about the songs. There’s a few songs in it, and of course I chose those songs beforehand, but it isn’t like any of my previous movies, really,” Gunn said. “The score is what drives it. It’s a much, much more of a score film.”

The score-driven Superman includes nods to Williams’ iconic “Superman Fanfare” and “Superman March,” which have since transcended the classic films that starred the late Reeve as the Man of Steel.

Murphy’s track accompanies the teaser trailer’s record-breaking debut: the Superman trailer became “the most viewed and the most talked about trailer in the history of both DC and Warner Bros.,” according to Gunn, who heads DC Studios with producer Peter Safran. The 141-second teaser trailer received over 250 million views and a million social posts in its first 24 hours online.

Superman stars David Corenswet (Twisters) in the title role, with Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) starring as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (Juror #2) as Lex Luthor. The cast includes Edi Gathegi (For All Mankind) as Mister Terrific, Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus) as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho, and Nathan Fillion (The Suicide Squad) as the Guy Gardner Green Lantern, with María Gabriela de Faría (Deadly Class) as The Authority’s Angela Spica/The Engineer and Frank Grillo (DC’s Creature Commandos) as Rick Flag Sr.

DC Studios’ first feature film, Superman soars into theaters July 11, 2025.

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DC Studios launched a major promotional campaign for Superman last week, but there’s one key detail we still haven’t learned — who is the villain of the movie? We know that Superman will feature Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and a few other antagonistic characters from DC Comics, but details on the story are still scarce. Read on for some of the biggest clues and the possible villains of this movie.

Considering that Superman is the first movie of the new DC Universe continuity, it has an incredibly full cast list. In addition to Superman, we have Mister Terrific, the Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho the Element Man and The Engineer Angela Spica. There are also strong but unconfirmed rumors that Ultraman may appear in the movie, Sean Gunn is now confirmed to be playing Maxwell Lord, and there are nods to the villain Simon Stagg in the set design.

On top of that, we can take hints from the direction of the DCU story and the material it will be based on. Gunn has said one of his biggest inspirations for this movie is the DC Comics series All-Star Superman — a story that involves numerous villains with an over-arching conflict against Luthor. However, he listed several other comics as well, and animated series, which makes it hard to narrow down the rogues gallery too much.

With over half a year to go until the movie premieres, we’ll likely learn more before it comes out. For now, here’s what we know about the villain(s) in Superman, and the top contending fan theories out there.

Luthor

Obviously, Lex Luthor isn’t going to be best friends with Superman in the DCU with no strings attached. Still, he could be introduced in this movie just to be placed on the back burner, so we can’t assume he is the main villain of this story. In fact, it would great if the DCU took the time to develop Luthor and flesh out his hatred for the Man of Steel over time.

Even if Luthor is an antagonist in the story, there’s a lot going on here to distract from him. In All-Star Superman, Luthor enacts a plot to kill Superman by over-exposing him to solar radiation, which temporarily amplifies Superman’s powers while ensuring he will die within a year. Something like that could be going on here, with Luthor working to weaken Superman before he fights other, more powerful enemies.

Metamorpho

Metamorpho the Element Man is typically depicted as a hero in DC Comics, but there are some strong hints that he might start out as an adversary in this movie. Metamorpho has the ability to transmute his body into any element and change its form, but he is unable to return to normal and live a regular life. He is often written as a forlorn outcast, doing his best to use his powers for good while mourning the life he could have had.

Metamorpho could be played as a foil to Superman, since both of them are outsiders but Superman is able to hide behind his mild-mannered visage. The story, then, could be about Clark getting through to Metamorpho and convincing him to team up, as they are not so different.

It’s also worth noting that one of Metamorpho’s greatest enemies, businessman Simon Stagg, is rumored to be appearing in this movie. At the very least, a sign for Stagg Enterprises is visible on the streets of Metropolis. In some versions of the story, Metamorpho was created by Stagg, so perhaps in this movie Stagg will have some amount of power to unleash the Element Man before he regains control of himself.

The Engineer & Ultraman

The Engineer is confirmed to be appearing in Superman, while an appearance by Ultraman has become a very plausible rumor that is difficult to deny. This weekend, an alternate version of the Superman teaser trailer played for audiences that went to see Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in theaters, and many fans believe it features a shot of The Engineer and Ultraman walking alongside Luthor. If the three are working together to some extent, that would make sense.

Ultraman is an evil version of Superman from an alternate dimension, depending on the story you read. Some fans are expecting him to appear as a Bizarro-type character, while others want to see the usual depiction of malicious Kal-El. If he really is here, it means we’ll be jumping right into multi-dimensional travel in the DCU.

Meanwhile, The Engineer is one of the core members of The Authority, a superhero team in DC Comics that is slated to get its own movie in the first arc of the DCU. It makes sense that they’re introducing one of the characters here — and it makes sense that she and Superman might be at odds. Unlike the Justice Leage, The Authority is willing to do absolutely anything necessary to impose their idea of peace and justice on the world.

We can only speculate, but it’s possible that both Ultraman and The Engineer come from an alternate reality and were somehow brought to this earth by Luthor in the hopes that they would kill Superman. It would be a neat way to introduce The Authority without flooding this world with superheroes all at once — after all, The Authority were originally in their own separate universe when they were created in the 1990s, and weren’t brought into the main DC Comics universe until 2011.

Brainiac

Finally, the theory with the least evidence still permeating the fandom is that the artificial intelligence Brainiac will be introduced as the surprise villain of Superman. This seems to be based mostly on a comment from Gunn last year when he said that the 2008 Brainiac storyline from Action Comics was one of his inspirations for this film. Beyond that, there’s not much in the trailer, the cast list, or other material to hint at Brainiac.

Superman his theaters on July 11, 2025. The DCU is officially up and running with the animated series Creature Commandos now streaming on Max.

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Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Wendell Pierce has the scoop on a character you didn’t see in the record-breaking first Superman trailer: Perry White. While the staff of the Metropolis-based Daily Planet newspaper appeared briefly in a pre-trailer teaser with mild-mannered Clark Kent (David Corenswet) and intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) — along with Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover), Ron Troupe (Christopher McDonald), and Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett) — the paper’s fearless editor-in-chief was left out of the first edition.

Hot off the press is the first look at The Wire actor as the cigar-chomping, sweater vest-clad chief, shared by Pierce on social media:

[RELATED: Everything From the Old DCEU That Is New DCU Canon (So Far), From The Suicide Squad to Creature Commandos and Superman]

Pierce is the latest in a long list of actors to portray White, who debuted in The Adventures of Superman radio serial (voiced by Julian Noa) before making his first print appearance in the pages of 1940’s Superman #7. John Hamilton played the “Great Caesar’s ghost”-exclaiming Perry White opposite George Reeves’ Man of Steel in the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV show, followed by Lane Smith in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Michael McKean on Smallville, and Paul Jarrett in an episode of Superman & Lois.

The character has been voiced by George Dzundza in the DCAU series Superman: The Animated Series and Darrell Brown in My Adventures with Superman, and Pierre Watkin played the newspaperman in the serials Superman and Atom Man vs. Superman. Most famously, Jackie Cooper portrayed Perry White in the Christopher Reeve-led Superman movies of the ’70s and ’80s, and Laurence Fishburne played the character opposite Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent and Amy Adams’ Lois Lane in 2013’s Man of Steel and 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Written and directed by DC Studios co-chairman and CEO James Gunn, Superman also stars Nicholas Hoult (Juror #2) as Superman’s archnemesis, LuthorCorp CEO Lex Luthor; Pruitt Taylor Vince (Lady in the Lake) and Neva Howell (Greedy People) as Pa and Ma Kent; and Terence Rosemore (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) and Sara Sampaio (Billions) as Lex allies Otis and Eve Teschmacher, respectively.

Rounding out the cast are corporate-sponsored superheroes Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and the Guy Gardner Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), with María Gabriela de Faría (Deadly Class) as Angela Spica/The Engineer of The Authority and Frank Grillo (DC’s Creature Commandos) reprising his role as Rick Flag Sr.

In DC Studios’ first feature film, the director of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and DC’s The Suicide Squad “takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC Universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind,” per Warner Bros. Pictures. Gunn and Peter Safran (Aquaman) produce with Nikolas Korda (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Chantal Nong Vo (The Batman), and Lars Winther (Peacemaker) serving as executive producers.

DC Studios’ Superman soars into theaters July 11, 2025.

The post Superman: Wendell Pierce Shares First Look at Perry White After Not Appearing in Trailer appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2025 is shaping to be an exciting year for superhero movie fans, with Marvel and DC set to release highly anticipated films. Thanks to Superman, DC Studios will finally bring their new cinematic universe into theaters, kicking off what we all hope will be a decade of good DC movies. Marvel Studios is also cranking things up by offering the most projects in a single year ever — all to restructure and prepare for the next Avengers movies. It has been a while since Marvel and DC brought out the big theatrical guns at the same time. The winner of this clash is obviously the fans, who get to enjoy movies featuring iconic characters from both classic comic book editors.

Captain America: Brave New World

Director: Julius Onah
Writers: Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson
Release Date: February 14, 2025 

Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) journey as Captain America takes the silver screen with Brave New World, a politically charged thriller that promises to bring the franchise back to its Winter Soldier’s peak. The story centers on Wilson navigating a complex web of international conspiracies while dealing with President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’s ambitious plans to militarize the Captain America position and establish a new Avengers team. The film introduces adamantium to the MCU and features a star-studded cast, including Harrison Ford as President Ross, who undergoes a dramatic transformation into the Red Hulk. Adding to the tension are villains The Leader and Sidewinder, played by Tim Blake Nelson and Giancarlo Esposito, respectively. The movie also explores themes of legacy and racial inequality that were established in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as Sam works closely with Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) while training the new Falcon, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez).

Thunderbolts*

Director: Jake Schreier
Writer: Eric Pearson
Release Date: May 2, 2025 

Thunderbolts* is an unconventional team-up film that brings together Marvel’s most complex antiheroes under the leadership of Bucky Barnes, whose role has been compared to Jack Nicholson’s character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The ensemble includes Florence Pugh’s sharp-witted Yelena Belova, David Harbour’s Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen’s newly-controlled Ghost, and Wyatt Russell’s complicated U.S. Agent. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, now the CIA director, assembles the team with her own agenda for power and control. Recent footage suggests that Bucky joins the team after they’ve already formed, hunting them down for mysterious reasons. Newcomers Geraldine Viswanathan and Lewis Pullman join the fray, with Pullman rumored to bring the powerful Sentry to life. The story explores themes of redemption and unlikely alliances as these former adversaries must work together under increasingly dangerous circumstances.

[RELATED: James Gunn Reveals Key Difference Between DC Universe and Marvel Studios’ MCU]

Superman

Director: James Gunn
Writer: James Gunn
Release Date: July 11, 2025 

James Gunn’s fresh take on the Man of Steel promises to deliver a Superman story unlike any we’ve seen before. David Corenswet steps into the iconic role alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, with the film exploring Clark Kent’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. While not an origin story, the film focuses on Superman as a young reporter navigating his relationships with key characters in Metropolis. Gunn has emphasized that this version of Superman will be driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind. The director has also teased that the film will showcase previously unseen aspects of Superman’s life and incorporate significant elements from Silver Age comics, promising to deliver epic action sequences while maintaining the character’s fundamental optimism.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Director: Matt Shakman
Writers: Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer
Release Date: July 25, 2025 

Marvel’s First Family finally makes their MCU debut in a unique period piece set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race. Pedro Pascal leads the cast as Reed Richards, alongside Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. The film blends family drama with cosmic stakes as the team faces off against the planet-devouring Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, and his herald, the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner. The retro-futuristic setting provides a fresh take on the team’s origin, while the story promises to explore how these four individuals balance their newfound powers with their strong family bonds. With Avengers: Doomsday closing in, First Steps is also expected to explain how Robert Downey Jr. will take on the mantle of Doctor Doom, the archnemesis of the Fantastic Four.

The post Every 2025 Marvel and DC Movie Confirmed to Release (And When You Can See Them) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Superman (2025) teaser trailer has taken the world by storm. Fans have been waiting with bated breath since it was announced that James Gunn – praised for his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy – was going to be writing and directing the newest cinematic installment of the Man of Steel, and this trailer proved it’s been worth the wait. Upon his announcement of the new DC film slate, Gunn immediately gave fans a list of comics that he would be using as inspiration, which included All-Star Superman. However, looking at the different DC characters appearing in Superman (2025), and taking into account Gunn’s previous superhero works, there’s another book that fans may also want to look into: Justice League International.

Justice League International took the Justice League formula – combining the greatest heroes of the DC Universe in one book – and tweaked it. Writers J.M. DeMatteis and the late Keith Giffen populated the team with second- and third-string heroes, and with the help of artist Kevin Maguire’s expressive pencils, created what would be known as the “Bwa-Ha-Ha Era” of the Justice League. Several major characters from the Justice League International run – Guy Gardner, Metamorpho, and Maxwell Lord – are slated to appear in Superman (2025), and the book’s style of character interactions and humor all scream Gunn.

Justice League International Was a Masterpiece of Character and Humor

The Justice League International spun out of the 1986 DC event comic called Legends. It was the first major DC crossover since the company rebooted its universe with Crisis on Infinite Earths. Darkseid attacked the Earth using a monster called Brimstone, and a group of heroes came together to help save day, becoming the newest incarnation of the Justice League. They next appeared in Justice League (Vol. 1) #1, which saw the new team – League mainstays Batman, Martian Manhunter, and Black Canary along with new members Shazam, Guy Gardner, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light, Mister Miracle, Fire, and Ice – come together for the first time, funded by smarmy ’80s stereotype Maxwell Lord.

Giffen and DeMatteis immediately let readers know what kind of book they were in for. While the group battled enemies like the Champions of Angor, the Soviet Rocket Red Corps, and the Royal Flush Gang, the team’s defining moment came in the fifth issue. Guy Gardner, a big-mouthed frat boy type of person, mouthed off continually and eventually started in on Batman. The Caped Crusader was having none of that, and knocked Guy out with one punch. This moment became something of a meme with DC fans and in-universe, the phrase “one punch” becoming legendary.

Justice League became Justice League International with issue seven, and the book’s tone was set. New members would join the team, other members would leave, and a core group would be formed – Elongated Man and his wife Sue, Rocket Red, Fire, Ice, Gardner, Captain Atom, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and Maxwell Lord. Previous Justice League comics were known for multiverse-shaking action, but Justice League International went another way, becoming a comedic soap opera of the various personalities on the team. Cliques formed within the team – the flamboyant Fire became best friends with the innocent Ice; Booster Gold and Blue Beetle were the perfect comedic duo, their bickering and schemes leading to hijinks; Elongated Man and Sue are the loving “normal” couple at the center of it all; and Maxwell Lord is on his own – later joined by the long-suffering robot L-Ron – funding the whole thing, the epitome of slimy ’80s businessmen.

[Related: Superman Trailer Secretly Hid a Major DC Character and You Definitely Missed It]

While the team has its share of major battles – their fights against the Kalanorian warlord Despero are brutal – the humor and character development are the keys to the whole book. Readers were fine watching the group just hanging out at the Justice League Embassy, fighting among themselves, and gelling as a familial unit.

Even today, the friendships between Fire and Ice and Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are some of DC’s most beloved relationships. Guy Gardner and Ice’s eventual relationship was the ultimate mismatch, but Giffen and DeMatteis sold it. Recurring characters like the hapless Green Lantern G’Nort and intergalactic warlord Manga Khan became secondary cast members, adding to the book’s comedic insanity. All of this was rendered perfectly by Maguire. The artist’s mastery of facial expressions and his page layouts made all the jokes land beautifully. There hasn’t been a book like it since, and the only people who have ever replicated it were … DeMatteis, Giffen, and Maguire, when they returned to the team for two mid-2000s stories: Formerly Known as the Justice League and I Can’t Believe It’s Not the Justice League.

Justice League International Is a James Gunn Movie in Comic Form

Gunn’s style in projects like Super, the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos is basically Justice League International. He’s a master of taking groups of heroes with huge, conflicting personalities and building them into family, one bounded by bickering, insults, and deep love. The Justice League International may have fought among themselves, but much like the Guardians of the Galaxy or Peacemaker’s team, they formed unbreakable bonds. Justice League International has some great fights, just like Gunn films, but watching them grow as a unit and as people are the things that make the book so addictive.

Superman isn’t going to be a slapstick superhero comedic soap opera, but Justice League International‘s DNA will always be there. Maxwell Lord’s place in the movie seems like it could be similar to the comics – a wealthy person working with superheroes – and Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner exudes the same kind of attitude in the trailer that comic fans are used to. Where the movie and the comic are really going to overlap is the way they use humor and character, the two most important weapons in Justice League International and Gunn’s other works. Reading Justice League International will show fans looking forward to Superman (2025) what DC can look like when under the control of creators that look at superheroes the same way as James Gunn does.

The post This DC Comic May Be the Key to 2025’s Superman Movie (and Not What You Expect) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn is celebrating the holidays with an exciting announcement about the first Superman trailer. The filmmaker and co-CEO of DC Studios shared on social media that “Superman is officially the most viewed and most talked about trailer in the history of both DC and Warner Bros.” with “over 250 million views and a million social posts.” The high numbers for the teaser trailer are unsurprising as passionate fans have eagerly awaited Gunn’s take on the iconic comic book character ever since it was announced in early 2023 that he would be helming the film. With the new glimpse of David Corenswet’s Clark Kent and the first DC Universe movie finally out in the ether, fans were quick to share their thoughts about the teaser trailer.

Scroll below to see how fans have been reacting to the Superman trailer and which moments have stood out the most. Gunn’s Superman will fly into theaters on July 11, 2025.

Krypto Has Already Stolen the Show

There’s no question that Krypto the Superdog had the biggest impact on fans following the drop of the teaser trailer. Anyone considering skipping this movie in theaters will likely find themselves buying a ticket on opening weekend just for Superman’s loyal and heroic super pet.

Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane

Fans have largely approved of Emmy and Golden Globe winner Rachel Brosnahan starring as the intrepid Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane in the new Superman movie. Additionally, people were excited to see brief peeks at other major characters, including Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Superman’s Biggest Enemy

Speaking of casting, fans are all in for Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. The hatred the antagonist has for Superman is seemingly palpable from only a few moments on-screen in the trailer, and viewers are eager to see their rivalry play out.

RELATED: Is the New Superman Connected to The Batman With Robert Pattinson?

Chills and Tears

Oscar nominee and comic book fan Kumail Nanjiani was among many who got emotional (in “all kinds of good ways”) over the Superman trailer.

Smallville Vibes

Many couldn’t help but draw comparisons to the beloved Superman series Smallville, including sharing similarities in the scenes shown in the post above. Smallville, starring Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, ran on The WB (later The CW) from 2001-2011.

Symbol of Hope

View on X

Fans were especially emotional about getting back the “symbol of hope” Superman represents, and welcoming David Corsenswet as the new Clark Kent in Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe.

The Yamcha Death Pose

One of the funniest memes of Dragon Ball Z was swiftly brought back after the teaser was released. Many fans posted the meme side-by-side with a moment from the trailer where Superman is bloodied and beaten in the snow. The scene appears identical to the fate of Dragon Ball Z’s Yamcha in his fight against the Saibamen.

Superman vs. Superman

Some fans went the sarcastic route in support of the trailer, ostensibly taking shots at Zack Snyder’s “angrier and more boring” take on Superman.

Epic Love Story

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Of course, a large number of fans are simply excited to see the continuation of Lois and Clark’s love story and what their relationship looks like in the new DC Universe.

A Socially Awkward Clark Kent

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Representation is important.

A Long Wait Until July

For the most part, fans were left satisfied by the first Superman trailer and will only have to wait a few more months until the movie finally opens in theaters.

Superman arrives in theaters July 11, 2025.

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Superman writer and director James Gunn has taken to Instagram to announce that the film’s trailer has achieved a couple of impressive milestones since its release, posting that, “Krypto really did take us home: With over 250 million views and a million social posts, Superman is officially the most viewed and the most talked about trailer in the history of both DC and Warner Bros. This is because of all of you: thank you! We’re incredibly grateful and, most of all, excited to share this movie with you in July. Happy Holidays!” Gunn was kind enough to give fans an early Christmas present, and fans were all too eager to reciprocate.

This is certainly good news for Warner Bros. who has previously struggled to build a cohesive shared cinematic universe of DC’s characters, prompting them to turn to Gunn and producer Peter Safran to lead the newly-formed DC Studios. The studio needs Superman to be a hit – not only is Superman one of the most recognizable fictional characters of all time, but as this film is kicking off the rebooted franchise, all of the pressure is on it to succeed. Luckily, the trailer’s large number of views and the overall positive response to it are certainly assuaging Warner Bros. executives’ fears.

[RELATED: Superman Trailer Explained: Every Major DCU Detail & Character Revealed]

The Superman trailer stayed true to the iconography of the source material, giving fans exactly what they expect from a movie about the Big Blue Boy Scout – Superman soaring majestically through the sky, his mild-mannered alter ego working at the Daily Planet, bombastic fight scenes, larger than life villains, and so much more. It’s almost as if Gunn treated the comic books as storyboards, so faithful are the cinematic images to the page.

However, Gunn outdid himself, as not only did he bring us a Superman that honors his four-color origins, but he introduced a bevy of other DC characters to the mix, including Superman’s dog Kyrpto, Michael Holt / Mister Terrific, Rex Mason / Metamorpho, Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl, and more. There are still more characters from the comics who are confirmed to appear in the film that weren’t featured in the trailer, so fans will be waiting with bated breath for even more reveals. Hopefully, Gunn hasn’t overstuffed the film with fresh faces in his attempt to lay the groundwork for what’s shaping up to be a thriving franchise.

One of the more fascinating changes that has been made to the film since it was first announced was dropping the “Legacy” from its title.

“One of the things was, I thought maybe the title … had a looking back feeling about it, and this isn’t about looking back, this is about looking forwar,” the filmmaker told ComicBook. “When you see the movie, you’ll understand where ‘Legacy’ comes from because it is, again, it’s about Clark and his relationship to the script … and whose legacy is he, really? And so it’s about that. But I think as a title … it felt too looking back.”

Superman opens in theaters July 11, 2025.

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A behind-the-scenes video featuring David Corenswet on the set of Superman as Clark Kent was recently released on Instagram, and gives fans an idea of what his voice will sound like in the film. While the trailer gave us footage of Corenswet as both the titular character and his mild-mannered reporter alter ego, he has very little in the way of dialogue. Other than some labored breathing and a wounded Superman whispering for his dog Krypto to take him home, the trailer didn’t reveal much about what his voice will sound like in the finished film.

The BTS video was posted by content creator Reece Feldman. In it, he’s on the set of what appears to be the Daily Planet recording himself asking the audience if they’d mind watching Superman for a second before turning the camera over to a confused Corenswet decked out in office attire and spectacles. Corenswet, still unaware of what’s going on, asks the audience, “Sorry, who? Who are you supposed to be watching?”

The actor ends the video by staring wide-mouthed at the camera, unsure of what to say or who the audience is.

This may not be a bombshell report, but considering how little we know about the characters and the plot, the Instagram video offers an enticing tease about how Corenswet will portray Superman in the hotly anticipated film. Given that the superhero never wears a mask, what changes will the actor make when playing Clark Kent to ensure his secret identity remains a secret? In the Instagram video, his “Clark” voice is fairly deep and staccato – will his “Superman” voice go in the opposite direction of light and loose? Or will he go the Batman route and adopt a darker, more gravelly voice when he’s saving the world as the Big Blue Boy Scout?

[RELATED: Superman Trailer: First Look at James Gunn’s DC Blockbuster Finally Arrives]

Either way, it will be interesting to see how Corenswet deals with the duality of Clark Kent / Superman compared to past iterations of the character. Funnily enough, in a Q&A after the trailer’s reveal, writer and director James Gunn compared Corenswet to the late Christopher Reeve, who dazzled audiences with his portrayal in the 1978 original. 

Gunn said that “the thing that connects him so much to Christopher Reeve is, he has a lot of deep training. Like, I’ve never worked in my entire life with such a rigorous actor. He challenged me on a daily basis to really get the most out of his character, get the most out of his story. Everything he does in the movie is utterly true.”

You can bet that fans will pore over every detail released about the film between now and its release in 2025. As soon as the Superman trailer dropped, fans combed every single shot and dug up countless Easter eggs, character appearances, and references to the wider world that DC Studios is setting up with this film. It’s well established that James Gunn is well-versed in comic book lore and, as we’ve seen in his past superhero films, he’s not afraid to make nods to obscure details from the source material.

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Superman released its first teaser trailer, and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans got their first look at many DCU characters, including Mister Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi. DC fans who don’t read comics have encountered a version of Mister Terrific before, in The Flash, but that one was much different from the comic version. Mister Terrific first appeared in 1997’s The Spectre #54 and since then has played a rather important role in the comics and has amassed a reputation among fans as being equal to or better than Batman. Mister Terrific is a lesser-known hero, but deserves his flowers.

Mister Terrific Is a Legacy Hero Who Has Made His Mantle His Own

Micheal Holt was a gold medal-winning Olympic decathlete and also held multiple PhDs. He was known as a prodigy from a young age and considered one of the smartest people on the planet. He got married to a woman named Paula, who died in a car accident. Despondent, Michael decided to take up the mantle of Golden Age hero Mister Terrific, whose motto of “Fair Play” appealed to Michael. He founded his corporation, Terrifitech, and created his T-spheres, voice-controlled spheres that he could use for nearly anything.

As Mister Terrific, he joined the Justice Society of America, the modern version of the original Golden Age superteam, becoming the brains of the group. Mister Terrific’s intelligence and technological know-how made him the perfect tech hero. He was also in near-perfect physical condition, making him a fierce hand-to-hand combatant. Eventually, Terrific was elected as chairperson of the Justice Society, a role that he held for years.

Later, he would found his own team, known as the Terrifics, which consisted of himself, Metamorpho, Plastic Man, and Phantom Girl. In fact, in the Superman (2025) trailer, it looks like Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl are wearing costumes that match the ones worn by the Terrifics. The Terrifics squad was short-lived but is beloved by many DC fans.

Mister Terrific has moved beyond the Justice Society in recent years, mostly working with the Justice League. His Terrifitech is a chief supplier of technology for the superhero community, and he’s employed Wally West, the current Flash, for several years. With the return of the Justice League in the new Justice League Unlimited comic, Mister Terrific has joined the team, working as the tech specialist on the new Justice League Satellite. Bottom line: Mister Terrific is everything that Batman is – a super genius, an amazing tactician, and a cunning hand-to-hand combatant – but without the chip on his shoulder, making him a welcome addition to the DCU.

Fans of the DC Arrowverse got to know a version of Mister Terrific, played by actor Echo Kellum. While a nice ode to the character, the Arrowverse’s “Curtis Holt” was a departure from what Mister Terrific traditionally is. Superman will be the first comic-accurate version of the character we get in live-action.

Superman (2025) premieres on July 11, 2025.

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DC Studios’ hotly anticipated trailer for James Gunn’s Superman has finally arrived and it’s filled to the brim with Easter eggs and references, including an appearance from a major character you’re bound to have overlooked. That character is Angela Spica, also known as the Engineer, played by María Gabriela de Faría, whose appearance Gunn himself confirmed. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but look closely and you can see her walking across the archway of the massive LuthorCorp building. The moment happens too quickly to determine what she’s doing so high up, but it does pose many interesting questions about the character’s relationship with Lex Luthor. Check out the photo yourself below.

In DC Comics, Angela Spica is the second version of the Engineer, a member of the superhero team, The Authority (who already have their own DCU movie in development). As a young girl, Angela showed considerable prowess in computers and technology, spending much of her time building advanced circuit boards.

When the first Engineer died, his studies in nanotechnology were sent to Spica’s home computer which she used for her experiments fusing human tissue with machines. Angela eventually developed a batch of liquid machinery which she injected into herself. Her nanite blood gave her all kinds of superhuman abilities, including metal skin, flight, technopathy, and so much more. It wasn’t long before she was recruited into the Authority.

To mark the occasion of her casting in the role, De Faría revealed how she celebrated earning the role of The Engineer, writing on Instagram last year: “I immediately bought a Superman cape at Party City…Surprised my agent at his office with his own cape and champagne…My Godmothers got pretty excited and we all pretended to fly…I sent my parents a Superman action figure to Venezuela and that’s how I let them know I got the role…They proceeded to send me all of the gifts available with a Superman theme…I walked around town with the Party City cape like a child after a birthday party.”

[RELATED: Superman Trailer: First Look at James Gunn’s DC Blockbuster Finally Arrives]

The Superman trailer packed so many details and quick appearances that it’s clear Gunn is eager to lay the groundwork for future stories to tell. In addition to featuring characters you’d expect in a Superman movie – like Lex Luthor, Pa Kent, and Lois Lane – it also includes the likes of Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan).

Of note, we still know very little about how these other heroes figure into the plot and how their respective stories will play out in the DCU going forward. While there is some cause for concern that Gunn may be putting too many characters into a single film, he’s done a pretty stellar job of ensuring everyone gets a chance to shine in his other ensemble films like The Suicide Squad and the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.

Superman flies across theater screens on July 11, 2025.

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The trailer for James Gunn’s Superman is finally here, giving audiences their first look at the rebooted Man of Steel. Releasing in theaters in July 2025, the film will be the first movie in the revamped DC Universe franchise, ushering in a new era as DC Studios co-heads Gunn and Peter Safran spearhead a shared cinematic universe featuring several of the company’s characters. Superman wastes no time in establishing other superheroes in the DCU, as the likes of Mister Terrific, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and more have roles. With this in mind, some viewers may be wondering if Superman is connected to another notable recent DC reboot.

In 2022, Robert Pattinson starred as the latest big-screen Caped Crusader in The Batman, kicking off director Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga. That film was entirely separate from the now-defunct DC Extended Universe, and it continues to exist in its own continuity. The Batman, The Penguin, and the other Gotham-related projects Reeves and Co. are developing are not connected to Superman in any way.

Why James Gunn Kept The Batman & the DCU Separate

While The Batman will stand on its own, there was a point in time when things could have been different. Gunn shared he thought about bringing Pattinson’s Dark Knight into the DCU before opting not to. His decision seems to have stemmed from the appeal of telling Elseworlds stories, giving filmmakers the leeway to craft compelling narratives that aren’t beholden to a single, unified canon. In the comics, DC uses the Elseworlds label for titles that reimagine characters in unique ways, separate from the main continuity. It sounds like the company will be doing the same thing on the film and TV side, but what other on-screen Elseworlds projects emerge remain to be seen.

[Related: Every Major DCU Detail & Character Revealed in the Superman Trailer]

Keeping The Batman separate from the DCU could prove to be a wise choice. When Reeves signed on to helm the film, he specifically wanted it to stand alone so he could focus on the stories he’s most interested in. Forcing his take on Batman into a larger shared universe theoretically might have made Reeves step away, which would have been disappointing. Both The Batman and The Penguin earned positive reviews, and audiences are excited about The Batman Part II (despite the sequel’s troubles getting off the ground). Reeves can continue to leave his stamp on Gotham, which has worked out very well so far.

The DCU Will Have Its Own Batman

Of course, Batman is too important a character to be absent from the DCU, so there will be a separate iteration in Gunn’s franchise. The in-development movie The Brave and the Bold (set to be directed by Andrew Muschietti) differs from Reeves’ version in that it will star an older Caped Crusader, placing an emphasis on his relationship with the Bat Family. This will be a space to explore a veteran Batman’s dynamic with characters like Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and others, something that hasn’t been done in live-action for decades.

It is unknown when The Brave and the Bold will hit theaters; Warner Bros. likely won’t want to release it too soon to The Batman Part II, which is currently scheduled for an October 2026 premiere. Earlier this month, Gunn stated that the script for The Brave and the Bold “isn’t quite there,” implying it will still be some time before the film is ready to begin production.

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James Gunn’s Superman teaser trailer wasn’t just a re-introduction to the Man of Steel – it was a first introduction to the larger world of the new DCU franchise. Gunn did a lot of PR work before the trailer’s debut, letting people know that he’s telling a very character-focused story about Superman/Clark Kent (David Corenswet), Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) – it just so happens to be a story set in a cinematic universe that’s populated with many other fantastical superpowered characters, as well as an entire history of prior events.

The first Superman trailer certainly proves that to be the case, offering us significant brushstrokes and crossovers from all sorts of corners of the DCU. Here are the ones we’ve picked out!

Superman Trailer: Every DCU Easter Egg & Cameo Explained

Luthorcorp & The Authority

This shot of Luthorcorp establishes Lex Luthor’s multinational corporation as a power player in Metropolis. Why we don’t see the more common “Lexcorp” name brand being used is a question that possibly will be answered in the film. As you can see from the circle we added to the image, there’s also a sneaky corporate raider walking under the “Luthorcorp” logo – and it seems to be the nanotech-powered Angela Spica (María Gabriela) – aka “The Engineer,” a member of DC’s team The Authority, who are also slated for their own DCU movie. Gunn has hinted The Authority movie will be tied to Superman‘s story – and now we have a question as to whether The Engineer is working with Lex Luthor – or against him. Knowing the team’s history, The Engineer might not be paying Lex a friendly visit…

The Daily Planet

Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s newspaper workplace has gotten a modern makeover, but many of the familiar players are still there. That includes Beck Bennett (SNL) as reporter Steve Lombard (red shirt white stripes); Syler Gisondo as photographer Jimmy Olsen (orange shirt, green pants); Mikaela Hoover as reporter Cat Grant (orange dress) – and of course, Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, front and center.

The New Clark Kent

It’s a major deal when we get a first look at the new Superman actor in full costume – but it’s also a big deal to see how that actor looks in his Clark Kent guise. David Corenswet is getting some shade from fans about his hairstyle as Clark – but a lot of fans are also appreciating the pronounced difference in acting and movement when Corenswet is playing Clark at work; Clark at home, or Clark when he’s being “Superman.”

Krypto the Super Dog

Krypto the Super Dog has been by Superman’s side since his 1950s era – but James Gunn is the first to make the super-pet a major staple of a live-action Superman film. This version of Krypto looks different than the typical golden retriever breed seen in the comics – and is likely an Easter egg nod to some of the pets James Gunn has had. As we see in the trailer, Krypto is keeping watch over Superman’s ‘home away from home,’ and he’s not the only one!

Kelex & The Fortress of Solitude

A brief but ominous scene sees a battle-worn Superman holding onto a robot caretaker of the Fortress of Solitude, who is most likely the DCU version of “Kelex” the former robotic assistant of Superman’s father Jor-El, who (in the comics) was recreated by a malevolent Kryptonian AI weapon (and Superman Impersonator) The Eradicator as part of the Fortress of Solitude’s ode to Kryptonian culture. If Kelex is down (or dying), and the fortress is crumbling (as this scene suggests), it will be like Superman losing one of the most important final connections to his true home and culture.

Pa Kent

Speaking of family ties: actor Pruitt Taylor Vince (Constantine) makes a brief appearance as Pa Kent, still hanging out on the Kent family farm. However, the footage hints that Jonathan Kent may be more frail and ailing than it initially seems – something his superpowered adoptive son would be able to acutely sense. Superman may have to face not being able to save everyone in a much different way than what Zack Snyder tried to convey with his controversial Man of Steel version of Pa Kent.

Do You Bleed?

Indeed this entire trailer teases the “conflict” of this movie being Superman grappling with ideas like not being able to save everyone he needs to – and then Gunn hammers that dilemma home by teasing how Superman can’t even save himself. We don’t need Ben Affleck’s Batman posing the question this time: we can see that the DCU Superman bleeds – the question is: who drew that blood, and how?

The Man With the God-Killing Gun

James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad established some key DCU canon involving Idris Elba’s Bloodsport shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet. This scene of Lex Luthor handling a firearm could be his scientific examination of what Bloodsport did; the reveal of a new weapon that Lex plans to use against Superman; or a flashback that reveals it was Lex who supplied the Bloodsport with the weaponry needed to kill a Man of Steel, completely with an Indris Elba cameo. Either way, the scene looks plenty ominous.

Superman vs Monsters

While we don’t exactly know what this large, fire-breathing monster is – but it looks like a job for Superman. Theory: based on the design and coloring, this creature looks like it could have come from the depths of the ocean, providing a possible connection to Aquaman’s side of the DCU. (But that’s just speculation.)

War in Boravia

The scenes of civil conflict in the Superman trailer are a deep-cut reference to one of the earliest Superman comics, Superman #2 (1939). That story saw Superman intervening in a civil conflict in a fictional European country called Boravia, only to stumble upon an arms dealer’s plot to deploy chemical weapons in the conflict. Superman thwarted the plot and then used some superpowered intimidation to “mediate” peace talks, and ultimately settle the civil war for good. It will be interesting to see if the world Gunn is crafting for his Superman will be as welcoming of the hero’s unilateral meddling in foreign affairs.

The Green Lantern

Nathan Fillion (doing his best Uncle Fester) makes a blink-and-miss appearance as one of the more crass and egotistical members of the Green Lantern Corps., Guy Gardner. We already know from set photo details that Guy works on an international team of heroes sponsored by shady businessman/villain Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn). That employment raises big questions about Guy’s status amongst his fellow GL’s; his Earth counterparts Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) are getting their own Lanterns show on HBO, so maybe we’ll find out more, there.

Hawkworld

Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl makes a high-flying appearance in the Superman trailer – as well as a sneaker appearance in the scene with Guy Gardner using his power ring. This Hawkgirl is also working for Maxwell Lord’s squad of heroes – but her wings and weaponry are all windows to a much larger Hawk-mythology story that can span time and the cosmos.

The Genius

Mister Terrific seems to be another member of Maxwell Lord’s squad of heroes: Michael Holt was an exceptional genius, inventor, and athlete who lost his family in a tragic accident. He took up the mantle of the previous “Mister Terrific,” using his superior technology and inventions to both fight evildoers and work as a master strategist for other DC heroes and teams. The trailer shows how Terrific is a one-man army using his signature “T-spheres.”

Going Stagg

There will already be some competing interests in the new Superman movie, with Lexcorp and the shady operations of both Maxwell Lord and Amanda Waller all in play. However, one Superman trailer scene reveals Kal-El/Clark Kent visiting a different company: Stagg Industries. The wealthy industrialist Simon Stagg is known for pioneering the latest in engineering, chemistry, and genetics. One prize that Simon sought had him hire a shady man to retrieve it; when Stagg double-crossed that man and left for dead, he inadvertently created a new DCU hero…

Metamorpho

Rex Mason was the mercenary hired by Simon Stagg to retrieve an artifact called the “Orb of Ra,” only to be double-crossed and left for dead by Stagg’s bodyguard/enforcer. The light of a nearby meteor transformed Rex into a being able to control his entire body at a molecular level, redubbing himself “Metamorpho.” The hero can stretch like Elastic Man, bend into any shape like Plastic Man – but he can also change parts of his body into different solids, liquids, gases, or chemicals selectively, making him a walking, talking chemical lab. While many DCU fans expected Barry star Anthony Carrigan to bring his comedic chops to the role, the haunting image of Rex seen in the trailer (along with the serious nature of Superman’s Stagg Industries visit) could tease a much more pivotal role required of Metamorpho’s unique powers.

The Sun-Eater(?)

One threat to Superman that possibly needs a Metamorpho solution is this giant ball of energy seen attacking Metropolis. Gunn has made this sequence part of Superman‘s marketing from the very first official teaser image, so we know it’s going to be a pivotal moment in the movie. Sun-Eaters are sentient weapons that consume stars and absorb their resulting energy, in endless repeat. A Sun-Eater was part of the climatic storyline of the famous All-Star Superman series, which Gunn has openly cited as an influence on his film. If it’s not that, other fan theories like Brainiac work too.

Big Sad Lex

It looks like Lex Luthor is down bad in this scene: the question is, why? It’s rare to see Lex actually getting battered or bloodied in any kind of way, so what happened? It’s not hard to imagine that this shot could be from a climactic moment in the movie, after Lex has not only lost to Superman but also lost the public perception war against him. If this is the moment that Lex Luthor’s unshakable ego finally cracks, then Nicholas Hoult will have given one hell of a performance in this film.

Superman will be released in theaters and IMAX on July 25, 2024.

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The premiere date for Superman has been drawing closer and closer, but with the release of the first teaser trailer on Thursday the movie is finally beginning to feel real. This film will not only introduce David Corenswet as our new Clark Kent, it will launch the new DC Universe continuity on the big screen, introducing several other DC Comics superheroes in the process. Here’s the run-down on the new cast and all the characters we’ll be meeting in this soft reboot.

Superman is written and directed by James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios spearheading the company’s new DCU continuity. Plot details on the movie are scarce, but we know we’ll be meeting some major characters from DC Comics, including the Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) and The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría). Of course, we’ll also meet the new version of Superman’s archnemesis Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), and his love interest Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan).

We’ll meet new versions of some important characters without superpowers as well, including Clark’s adoptive parents Jonathan Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and Martha Kent (Neva Howell), as well as his colleagues at The Daily Planet editor Perry White (Wendell Pierce) and photographer Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo).

[RELATED: Superman’s Dog: Everything to Know About Krypto (& Comic Book Origin)]

The sprawling cast of this movie provides some tantalizing clues about where the story might be going, but we don’t know anything for certain yet. Gunn has declined to answer questions that might give it away — for example, he won’t even say whether Lois knows about Clark’s secret identity or not. Those that want to formulate their own fan theories can compare this character list with the comics for some relevant plot arcs. Here are the characters we’ll be meeting when the DCU takes flight on July 11, 2025.

David Corenswet

Corenswet, 31, will play journalist Clark Kent and Kryptonian refugee Superman. According to Gunn, this version of Clark is meant to be around 25 years old, and he is already established as a superhero. It will not be an origin story.

Corenswet grew up in Philadelphia and studied acting at Juilliard in New York City. His first mainstream starring role was in the 2018 political thriller Affairs of State. He also had some prominent guest-starring roles on TV and streaming series including House of Cards, Elementary and Instinct. He found continued success at Netflix, starring in the series The Politician and Hollywood, followed by the film Look Both Ways. Fans have likely seen Corenswet on the big screen as well — in 2022 he co-starred in the A24 horror Pearl, and just this year he played the tornado chaser Scott in Twisters.

Gunn has gushed about Corenswet at every opportunity, proclaiming him the perfect person to play Superman. On Thursday, he said: “I’ve never worked in my entire life with such a rigorous actor. He challenged me on a daily basis to really get the most out of his character, get the most out of his story. Everything he does in the movie is utterly true. You don’t ever have a moment, even watching dailies, where you go, ‘David did something that feels stupid, that doesn’t feel real, that feels like he’s faking and he’s phoning it in,’ never. He’s always completely present.”

Rachel Brosnahan

Lois Lane is played by 34-year-old Rachel Brosnahan, best known for starring in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, for which she won an Emmy. She and Corenswet technically already have a credit in common, though Brosnahan’s role in House of Cards from 2013 to 2015 was much more significant than Corenswet’s one-episode appearance in 2018.

Earlier this year, Brosnahan described her take on Lois Lane as “fiercely intelligent” and “feisty.” The character is integral to a good Superman story — even more so than many of the other love interests in mainstream comics. One of the biggest questions hanging over this movie is whether Lois will already know Clark’s secret when it begins, or if we will see her figure it out for herself.

Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult is playing Lex Luthor in this movie, and many fans were glad to see that he is already bald in this trailer. Unlike many of the DC characters below, Luthor has already been portrayed many times on screen, putting a lot of pressure on Hoult to live up to previous versions while still doing his own thing. On the other hand, comics provide plenty of untapped potential for Luthor’s characterization that the DCU can explore.

Thankfully, Hoult is a veteran of comic book adaptations — best known for playing “The Beast” Hank McCoy in X-Men: First Class through X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Even beyond that, his geek credit runs strong with genre film roles in Clash of the Titans, Mad Max: Fury Road, Tolkien and Renfield. Hoult, 35, has a starring role in the upcoming A24 horror Nosferatu, which hits theaters on Christmas day.

Edi Gathegi

Kenyan-American actor Edi Gathegi also appeared in X-Men: First Class, playing the mutant Darwin. Gathegi takes on a similarly powerful role in Superman as Michael Holt, a.k.a. Mr. Terrific. This version of the character is an unprecedented genius with advanced knowledge of sciences including engineering and medicine. He takes up the mantle of previous Mr. Terrific, using his intellect to master martial arts and create technology that helps him fight crime. That includes his hovering robotic “T-Spheres,” which circle around him and help him in everything from fighting to espionage. His signature mask allows him to control the spheres and detect various forms of energy around him.

Gathegi, 45, was born in Kenya but grew up in California. An injury cut his college basketball career short and he pivoted to acting classes, falling in love with the craft. He moved to New York for a graduate program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and began his career on stage before landing his first film role as the cab driver in Crank. Gathegi is best known for his role as Dev in the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind, which ended earlier this year.

Isabela Merced

The youngest member of this ensemble, 23-year-old Isabela Merced is best known for starring in the 2019 live-action movie Dora and the Lost City of Gold. She also played the war orphan turned Autobot ally Izabella in Transformers: The Last Knight, and most recently played Kay in Alien: Romulus. Earlier this year, she made her comic book movie debut in Madame Web, playing Anya Corazón. 2025 will be another huge year for Merced, who will join the cast of HBO’s The Last of Us as Dina.

DC fans are very familiar with Hawkgirl not just from the comics, but from the animated series of the 2000s including Justice League Unlimited. Those shows used the character Shayera Hol (Maria Canals-Barrera), an alien from the planet Thanagar sent to earth with her partner in pursuit of a criminal. Once their mission was complete, they felt compelled to return to earth to study its crimefighting methods, which led them to joining the Justice League.

It’s hard to say if the DCU will use Shayera or the other version of Hawkgirl, Kendra Saunders, who is the reincarnation of the Golden Age Hawkgirl Shiera Sanders Hall. There are many iterations of this character even just in comics released in recent years. Elements of different Hawkgirls’ backstories have been remixed so many times that Gunn may settle on a completely unique version of the character, cherry-picking what he wants.

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion’s role is much more straightforward. He plays the Green Lantern bruiser Guy Gardner, a delinquent-turned-cop who is the runner-up for the Green Latern ring that ultimately chooses Hal Jordan. There are various backstories for how Gardner ends up with a ring of his own, but it looks like this movie version is well-established and has been for a long time.

Fillion, 53, appeared in Gunn’s 2021 DCEU film The Suicide Squad as The Detachable Kid, but that is no longer canon in the DCU. Of course, Fillion was a geek culture legend long before that, from Firefly and Serenity to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His DC credits run very deep, but mostly in voice over. He played Vigilante in Justice League Unlimited, then became the voice of the Green Lantern Hal Jordan in six of the animated movies released between 2011 and 2018. You can stream these now on Max.

Fans are dying to know more about the role of Gardner and the Green Lantern Corps in Superman, but details are scarce. It’s unclear if Gardner has been operating in the open and if he already has a relationship with the Man of Steel, and we don’t even know if he’s the only earthling Green Lantern at this point.

Anthony Carrigan

Barry star Anthony Carrigan will play Rex Mason, a.k.a. Metamorpho. Carrigan, who has the autoimmune disease alopecia, has said that he is excited to be playing a hero after being frequently typecast as a villain. The 41-year-old told Rolling Stone he hopes to bring some “authenticity and truth” to the role. At the same time, he’s a familiar face for DC fans, having played the Batman villain Victor Zsasz on Gotham from 2014 to 2019.

Metamorpho dates back to 1965, but he has appropriately been through many changes over the years. He has the ability to transmute his own body into nearly any elemental compound and form at will, allowing him to shapeshift, become impervious to attacks, and squeeze into tight places. He gained this power during his work as an archaeologist when he was exposed to an ancient Egyptian artifact made from a radioactive meteorite.

María Gabriela de de Faría

Finally, the last super-powered person in this cast is Angela Spica, The Engineer, played by
María Gabriela de Faría. The Engineer is a member of the superhero team The Authority, which is getting its own movie in the DCU’s first story arc. It makes sense that they’ll be set up here, though there’s no release date for the stand-alone movie yet. Angela is the second character to use the name The Engineer, and like the first, she has nanites in her blood stream that give her superpowers.

Faría comes from Venezuela, and is best known for Spanish-language TV and movies airing in South America. Her American credits include the TV shows Deadly Class, The Moodys and Animal Control. To international fans, she is best known for starring in a Nickelodeon sitcom called Isa TKM.

Skyler Gisondo

With the superheroes out of the way, we move on to Clark’s civilian friends and family, starting with Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen. He will be played by Booksmart star Skyler Gisondo, a 28-year-old former child star with some very recognizable credits to his name. His most recent film credit is Licorice Pizza, while his most recent role in a TV series main cast was The Resort. He is also known for The Righteous Gemstones and Santa Clarita Diet, while some of his childhood roles include The Bill Engvall Show and Psych. Comic book fans might recognize him for playing Howard Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel.

Jimmy Olsen is a fan-favorite character in Superman’s orbit — sometimes a friend and confidante, sometimes a sidekick and wide-eyed witness, occasionally even a rival. There’s no telling what part Jimmy will play in this movie.

Wendell Pierce

Pierce has a long list of credits that make him more than qualified to play the Daily Planet‘s beleaguered editor Perry White. The 62-year-old actor played Detective Bunk Moreland on The Wire and Reverend Hosea Williams in Selma, but he has balanced drama with fun in action roles like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.

Perry White is often pivotal to stories where Clark’s secret identity is at stake, which might be a clue to the plot of this movie. It’s worth noting that this movie takes inspiration from the 2005 comic book series All-Star Superman, and White plays an important role in that arc.

Pruitt Taylor Vince

This version of Pa Kent should have a lot of wisdom to draw on considering how many comic book adaptations he’s appeared in before. Vince has been seen in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Walking Dead, The Cape and Constantine, among many other credits. The 64-year-old actor is best known for roles in Identity, Angel Heart and Mississippi Burning.

That being said, we don’t know yet how big of a role Jonathan Kent will play in this story. Gunn has said it’s not an origin story, yet Jonathan’s death is often a pivotal moment in Clark deciding to become Superman. He could be on hand just for flashback sequences, or it’s possible that the DCU will be exploring alternate timelines right out of the gate.

Neva Howell

Finally, Neva Howell will play Martha Kent, or “Ma” to Clark. Howell is best known for the movies Burden, Run the Race and Novitiate, as well as the TV series The Resident. She takes on one of the most emotional roles in any Superman story as his moral compass, his support and an object of his protection all at once.

There are other characters rumored to be appearing in this movie as well, though they haven’t been officially added to the cast list yet. Most notably, House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock is playing Supergirl, but we don’t know if she’ll appear in this movie. We’ll see for ourselves when Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

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The Man of Steel is flying high thanks to James Gunn and the creative team at Warner Bros unleashing the first teaser trailer for the movie that will kick off the new DCU on the silver screen next year. In the latest Superman teaser trailer, viewers are able to witness the new take on the Last Son of Krypton, along with some familiar DC superheroes such as Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, and Metamorpho. Of the many new heroes that made an appearance, one of the biggest is the trusty best friend to Clark Kent, the super-powered dog Krypto. Starting with Superman brought low, anime fans are getting in on the fun by recollecting one of the funniest memes of Dragon Ball Z involving a certain former desert bandit.

The latest Superman trailer begins with Kal-El having seen better days, seemingly knocked down in the Arctic and struggling to get to his feet. Despite being invulnerable, someone or something was able to take down the Man of Steel, leaving him bloody and bruised where he can’t rise to the heavens, let alone stand on his own. Luckily, James Gunn has given Superman a sidekick for next summer’s film that will be making his cinematic debut, Krypto the Super Dog. Kal-El’s beaten down status looks quite like Yamcha’s most popular moment during Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga and anime fans have certainly taken notice.

[RELATED: Superman Director Reveals How David Corenswet Reminded Him of Christopher Reeve]

The Yamcha of Steel

Dragon Ball Z fans instantly picked up on the scene of Superman beaten down as looking almost identical to the fate that befell Yamcha in his fight against the Saibamen. While the original Dragon Ball character was able to defeat the plant man in their first bout, the henchman of Vegeta and Nappa sacrificed itself to make sure that the Z-Fighter stayed down for the count. Even decades following the debut of this scene in the original manga and the anime adaptation, the “Yamcha meme” still finds its way to social media, as has been seen with the debut trailer of James Gunn’s Superman.

The Saibamen Are Eating Good

Ironically enough, the Saibamen made a drastic comeback lately thanks to the events transpiring in Dragon Ball Daima. While Goku and his fellow Z-Fighters explore the Demon Realm to undo the wish that transformed them all into children, new villain Dr. Anisu has created a new Majin to work at her side. Birthing Majin Kuu, the new villain was made by not only taking the DNA from Majin Buu but using samples of Majin Buu to help create this force to be reckoned with.

Of course, in typical Akira Toriyama fashion, all is not as it seems as Majin Kuu is far from a powerhouse like his predecessor. The Saibaman fusion is unable to even do any damage to one of the three Tamagami and admits defeat in a rather hilarious fashion. Now that Dr. Anisu was unable to get her hands on a Dragon Ball, it looks like she is going to need to take another route to make her mysteirous goals become a reality.

Unfortunately for Yamcha fans, the Z-Fighter hasn’t played a major role in Dragon Ball Daima but should the anime franchise decide to return to Dragon Ball Super, he might just have his time in the spotlight. In the Moro Arc, Yamcha has an amazing opportunity to shine in fighting against the antagonist’s forces and this would make for a great animated sequence should we see this series return.

Want to see what the future holds for the nefarious Yamcha meme? Follow along with Team Anime on ComicBook.com for the latest updates on the Z-Fighters and hit me up directly @EVComedy to talk all things comics and anime.

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Krypto the Superdog’s saga, from whimsical Silver Age creation to complex modern character, represents one of DC Comics’ most fascinating evolutions. With a comic book history longer than most superheroes – DC or otherwise – Krypto’s publication journey also explains how the media evolved as decades passed. Now that the first trailer for Superman underlines how DC’s best boy will be a critical part of the movie’s plot, Krypto’s DC Comics story can tell us more of what to expect from James Gunn’s interpretation of the original super pet.

When Otto Binder and legendary artist Curt Swan introduced Krypto in Adventure Comics #210 in March 1955, they created more than just another super-powered sidekick. The original story established Krypto as baby Kal-El’s beloved pet on Krypton, where Jor-El used him to test the experimental rocket technology that would eventually save his son. This origin brilliantly tied Krypto to Superman’s cosmic heritage and human connection to Earth, as the dog would eventually crash-land years later and reunite with a teenage Clark Kent. Like his master, Krypto gained extraordinary powers under Earth’s yellow sun, including super-strength, flight, and heat vision.

[RELATED: James Gunn Reveals Key Difference Between DC Universe and Marvel Studios’ MCU]

During the Silver Age, Krypto’s adventures often took whimsical turns that perfectly captured the era’s storytelling sensibilities. While maintaining his secret identity as “Skip” with a fake brown spot on his back, Krypto balanced his life between being a normal family pet and engaging in spectacular heroics. His enhanced Kryptonian abilities granted him powers matching Superman’s own, though he retained typical canine behaviors – while ordinary dogs chased cars, Krypto would pursue airplanes and catch them. However, Krypto retained an enhanced intelligence level that allowed him to understand and respond to human language. This carefree take on the character would change in the 1980s when DC went through the iconic Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline.

Krypto the Superdog Changed in Modern Comics

The landscape of DC Comics underwent a seismic shift with 1986’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, which completely rewrote Superman’s history and temporarily eliminated Krypto and other fantastical elements of the mythology. When Krypto returned to mainstream continuity in the early 2000s through the Return to Krypton storyline, he emerged as a more complex character. Unlike his Silver Age counterpart, who possessed near-human intelligence, this modern Krypto retained a normal canine intellect while having superpowers. This created significant challenges. His super-strength meant simple actions like scratching at a door could cause massive damage, and his untrained biting could severely injure criminals. These issues led to Superman temporarily confining Krypto to the Fortress of Solitude under a robot’s care until proper training could be completed.

The New 52 reboot in 2011 radically reimagined Krypto’s origin, making him an experimental companion created by Jor-El using young Kal-El’s DNA to forge an unbreakable bond. Finally, through DC Rebirth, Krypto’s role evolved further as he became fully integrated into Superman’s family life, wearing a collar from an old Superman uniform belt. His presence extended beyond Superman’s immediate family as he also became a loyal companion to Supergirl, demonstrating his importance to the entire Superman family legacy. 

With so many different versions to draw from, Gunn must pick carefully which aspects of Krypto he wants to keep for Superman. Fortunately, the trailer already gives us a good idea of how the Superdog will act in the DCU.

James Gunn Is Making His Own Version of Krypto

In the teaser trailer for Superman, we see David Corenswet’s Superman bloody and beaten, falling into a snowfield. Superman whistles to summon Krypto, asking the Superdog to take him home. From this brief interaction, it’s clear the DCU version of Krypto does not have enhanced intelligence. So, while Gunn is adding Silver Age elements to his movie, Krypto will act like a regular dog, reacting to commands Clark Kent taught him.

It’s also telling that Krypto seems to be nearby Clark when he whistles. “Home” in the trailer is likely the Fortress of Solitude, Superman’s base of operations, located in the Arctic. That means Krypto probably hangs around in the Fortress of Solitude when Superman is away, saving the world. Since the teaser trailer also has a scene of Superman kneeling beside a destroyed humanoid robot, Gunn is likely using the Return to Krypton storyline as a template for introducing the Superdog without breaking the audience’s suspension of disbelief.

Whatever role Krypto plays in Superman, it’s terrific that he’s part of the movie. Krypto’s enduring appeal lies in how he bridges Superman’s extraordinary abilities and his human connections. Given that Gunn’s version of Superman is all about hope and wonder, Krypto is the perfect character to explore the Man of Steel’s life beyond the cape.

Superman, featuring Krypto alongside the Man of Steel, is scheduled for release on July 11, 2025.

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The first trailer for James Gunn’s Superman is finally here and while the newly-released trailer is full of incredible action shots and stirring moments featuring the Man of Steel, for DC fans there are plenty of other things to get excited about — particularly for fans of Lois Lane. The new trailer gives us our first real look at Rachel Brosnahan as the iconic Daily Planet reporter both in terms of her work as a journalist and in glimpses of her relationship with Clark Kent — and Superman himself.

In the trailer, we get various looks at Lois Lane. She’s shown in the Daily Planet news room at work as well as later in the trailer where she’s seen kissing David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. There’s also a shot at the end of the trailer where we see Lois with her arms around Superman as he begins to rise off the ground with her, and even a moment where she’s hugging him as well.

While fans will have to wait until July when Superman flies into theaters for greater context about Lois and her place in the overall story, Brosnahan has previously teased that Lois will be “fiercely intelligent” and feisty. She’s also previously expressed that the movie will honor the source material with the film being made with “so much love”.

[RELATED: James Gunn Promises Superman’s Supporting DC Characters Aren’t Just Cameos]

“I’ve really enjoyed the collaboration with James Gunn so far,” Brosnahan said previously. “Every single person involved with this production is such a perfect nerd for Superman. We all grew up watching the movies, some of us grew up reading the comics. I feel like it’s being made with so much love, and I think this Superman will have a sense of humor. I’m rolling through my brain all the things I’m not allowed to say. But we’re excited to both put our spin on things and also honor this material that we all love so much. We have big shoes to fill, but we’re excited to try to fill them.”

The film will also see a take on Lois and Clark’s relationship that is a little unlike anything fans have seen before when it comes to the characters.

“It’s just something that’s completely us,” Gunn said. “The relationship between David and Rachel’s [characters] on screen is something I don’t think we’ve seen in — I hate to say stuff like this — but I don’t think it’s something we’ve ever seen in any superhero movie ever.”

He added, “It’s a complicated relationship and we really get into it and there’s long scenes that are about their relationship and the way they relate and what it would be like for a person who’s this incredibly intelligent, strong-headed, stubborn, skeptical journalist to have a relationship with someone who can lift a skyscraper.

What is Superman About?

Superman “tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.” Per Gunn, the film will not be an origin story for Superman or other heroes because those are stories everyone already know.

“I’m not telling Batman and Superman’s origin stories again because everyone knows them,” he said. “And don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner. That’s a project in development we’ve actually announced, and he’s an incredibly well-known character with not only some of the greatest comics of all time, but a successful film series and his own TV show, something that could be said of only a very small handful of DC characters.”

Superman stars Rachel Brosnahan, David Corenswet, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, María Gabriela de Faría, Skyler Gisondo, Wendell Pierce, Nicholas Hoult, and Frank Grillo.

Superman opens in theaters July 11, 2025.

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Superman director James Gunn just gave star David Corenswet the highest possible praise — comparing him to Christopher Reeve. During a Q&A with reporters after the Superman teaser trailer dropped on Thursday morning, Gunn said that Corenswet has the same thoughtful work ethic that Reeve was known for. He credited Corenswet with absolute dedication to the craft of acting.

“The thing that connects him so much to Christopher Reeve is, he has a lot of deep training,” Gunn said of Corenswet. “Like, I’ve never worked in my entire life with such a rigorous actor. He challenged me on a daily basis to really get the most out of his character, get the most out of his story. Everything he does in the movie is utterly true. You don’t ever have a moment, even watching dailies, where you go, ‘David did something that feels stupid, that doesn’t feel real, that feels like he’s faking and he’s phoning it in,’ never. He’s always completely present.”

Gunn then reiterated a story where his anxiety about casting Clark Kent and Lois Lane dissolved on the first day of the process. He said: “It was sort of miraculous — the funniest thing is, I got both Rachel [Brosnahan] and David’s self tapes on our very first day of casting. So the thing I was the most worried about was casting Superman at the beginning of the process, and after the first day I was like, ‘I think that guy is pretty good.'”

[RELATED: Everything From the Old DCEU That Is New DCU Canon (So Far)]

Gunn and DC Studios worked hard to hype up the Superman teaser trailer all week, starting with the release of a motion poster on Monday, then a 30-second teaser on Wednesday. The 2-minute trailer finally debuted on Thursday morning, giving us our first look at Corenswet’s Superman in action. Even with all that buildup, Gunn still held some surprises in reserve, as the first thing we saw this version of Superman do was call for Krypto.

The trailer introduced us to many other fan-favorite characters as well, including the Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). We also got a good look at Nicholas Hoult playing Lex Luthor, and plenty of shots of Brosnahan as Lois Lane. With all that, it’s hard to imagine there are many big reveals left for this movie, but with more than seven months to go until it hits theaters there must be something.

Superman opens on July 11, 2025. The DCU’s first title, Creature Commandos, is streaming now on Max.

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Nicholas Hoult reveals that his Lex Luthor in Superman will have to be ruthless in order to outmaneuver the Man of Steel in the new DC movie. After fans got to witness the first trailer for James Gunn’s new Superman movie, there will be plenty of questions about Superman’s arch-enemy, Lex Luthor. Nicholas Hoult is the latest actor to step into the role of Lex Luthor, but he is more than up for the challenge. According to Hoult, Lex Luthor will have to bring everything at his disposal to match wits with someone the power level of Superman.

ComicBook was on hand for a general Q&A held on the Warner Bros. lot after the Superman trailer premiere, where Nicholas Hoult gave new insight into his portrayal of Lex Luthor. “The thing about this Lex, I think that was most exciting to me was being in a James Gunn universe. Like you said, so emotionally raw and powerful, but huge in the scope of the world and what he’s creating.”

[RELATED: James Gunn Promises Superman’s Supporting DC Characters Aren’t Just Cameos]

He then spoke about how “ruthless” Lex will have to be to stay one step ahead of the Man of Steel, and how some fans will understand Lex’s thought process of believing he’s better for the world than Superman. “And I think with this Lex, I mean, obviously he’s smart and ruthless and he has to outmaneuver Superman on certain levels because he can’t match him in others,” he said. “But there’s also something about this character, hopefully from my standpoint, where even though you perhaps don’t agree with his process, there’s an element where you can understand on some levels where he’s coming from and why perhaps what he’s pushing as his ideology is perhaps better for humanity.”

It’s been almost exactly a year since Nicholas Hoult was confirmed to be playing Lex Luthor in Superman. Director James Gunn has never shied away from debunking or confirming speculative news on social media, confirmed Hoult’s casting in November 2023 by posing in a photo with the actor.

“Yes, finally I can answer, @nicholashoult is Lex Luthor in #SupermanLegacy and I couldn’t be happier,” Gunn wrote on Instagram. “We went out to dinner last night to celebrate and discuss how we can create a Lex that will be different from anything you’ve seen before and will never forget. “But, James, we heard this weeks ago, why didn’t you tell us it was true?” Because, although we were discussing it, it wasn’t final until a couple days ago and I don’t want to tell you all something that isn’t certain. Anyway, here’s to Lex (and Nicholas!), one of my very favorite characters in the DCU.”

Comics inspirations for Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in Superman

With Superman being such a popular property, there have been a bevy of interpretations for Superman characters across comics, movies, TV shows, and animation. Back in November, Hoult talked about pulling pieces from many of those iconic versions. “It’s about I think you take from all the previous interpretations of the character and the comics and you build upon it. That’s the fun thing in like movies and comics and kind of all media in a sense is the history of all of it. It’s all kind of a building amalgamation of it,” Hoult said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

He also spoke about some of his Lex comic inspirations. “There’s so many and James [Gunn] has already spoken about quite a few that influence obviously the overall film and All-Star Superman, and there’s little things that you draw from each, Birthright and all those all those comics,” Hoult said. “But the one that I really rang…and I read a lot, but the one that I found myself picking up again a lot was Lex Luthor: Man of Steel. There was a lot in that just resonated with me.”

Superman is the first movie in DC Studios’ new DC Universe. Directed by James Gunn, Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Other DC heroes fans can expect to see include Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Green Lanter Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), Authority’s Angela Spica / Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), and Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo).

DC Studios’ Superman soars into theaters July 11, 2025.

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James Gunn’s Superman has the unenviable task of bringing the classic and essential elements of Superman into a modern movie marketplace. As the Superman teaser trailer has now revealed, Gunn’s approach to his flagship DCU film has been blending quintessential versions of DC characters and settings into a modern-world context. The trailer for Superman gave us a classic and iconic depiction of Metropolis’ star newspaper the Daily Bugle; however, based on what Superman star Rachel Brosnahan describes, her version of Lois Lane will have very current problems with journalistic standards, sensationalism, and all that troublesome “fake news” out there.

“I’ve always been inspired by this character. She’s somebody who is ambitious and courageous and hungry and determined to get the greatest story almost at any cost,” Brosnahan told the press during a recent Superman trailer launch event. “I’ve always loved this character and was so excited by the opportunity to bring all of those things that have been true of her in every iteration.”

Brosnahan went on to point out how Lois Lane is indeed unique among DC characters, due to her chosen profession. After all, the meaning of “journalism” tends to change and evolve with the times. And today, in a world of fake news coming from both social media and disreputable outlets, Lois Lane being a true-blue reporter hits differently.

“One of the things I love about this character is that almost more than any other character in these comics, and in the movies, she evolves to fit what it would mean to be an intrepid journalist of each generation or each decade that she’s presented in,” Brosnahan explained. “So, I think our challenge… Today we’re living in a world where print journalism to some is perhaps an endangered art form and she’s somebody who has dedicated her entire life to it.”

Finally, Brosnahan teased that Lois Lane won’t just be up against a world of fake news – she’ll be one of the biggest bloodhounds on the hunt for truth in a world of lies, and won’t let anyone stop her from doing so:

“I think as far as what else is different, you’ll have to check out the movie to see, but I love that she’s somebody who doesn’t understand what the word ‘no’ means and it’s motivating for her. We definitely see that side of her in this film.”

Superman‘s teaser trailer is now online. The film has a release date of July 11, 2025.

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Back in July, DC fans were excited when it was officially announced that James Gunn’s Superman had cast Alien: Romulus star Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern but since then, real details about how the iconic heroes would appear in the film have been few, leaving fans eagerly awaiting a glimpse. Now, that wait is over. We finally have our first look at the heroes in the first trailer for Superman — and fans are going to love it.

In the new trailer for Superman, fans get brief shots of Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl as well as Guy Gardner. While the glimpses are brief, they do offer quite a bit for fans, particularly when it comes to Guy Gardner. The footage reveals the hero has his classic bowl cut hairstyle and we also see him using his Green Lantern ring. That alone teases that the trio of iconic heroes will be more than mere cameos, something that director James Gunn previously confirmed to ComicBook.

“These characters all get their moment in the sun,” Gunn said. “They all have their moments. They’re not just cameos; these are the characters. They’re supporting cast, but Mister Terrific is the main character of those characters. He actually has a big part of the plot. And so that was fun. And of course, getting to work with Nathan is always something, and putting him in a stupid look, and then Isabela is great. I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time. But was about balance.”

This first look at Hawkgirl also confirms what Merced has previously teased about her look in the film. Merced revealed this summer that she had a “badass” suit and helmet for Hawkgirl, noting that the suit was specific for the story.

“Well, there have been some leaked pictures online,” Merced said. “However, I think James knows what he wants, and this specific suit is for this specific timeline in the story. I don’t know what else I can say, but I gotta say, the helmet was my absolute favorite. It’s so sick. It’s so badass. It’s perfect.”

[RELATED: Superman: James Gunn Reveals First Look at Krypto the Superdog in the DCU]

But when it comes to how we will see Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Guy Gardner on screen, fans will have to wait until July to see the characters fully in action, though Fillion has previously teased his approach to the character.

“The reality is that people have flaws,” Fillion argued. “We all have quirks. We all have vulnerabilities. You could have the most wonderful family, but be like, ‘Oh, my God, my dad drives me nuts. He’s got this one thing.’ Everybody’s got something, and I love to lean into those faults and flaws. It’s what makes people real and what allows audiences to relate, because we all know what that is. We all have our own. We witness it in other people. Guy Gardner is 90% flawed and doesn’t care. That’s one of his flaws. I think there’s a real freedom in playing that. So, for a guy who likes to play flaws and flawed people, Guy Gardner is a gold mine.”

What Do We Know About Superman?

While there are still plenty of questions about what we can expect from Superman, Gunn has been open about the film not being an origin story, recently explaining on social media that he’s not telling an origin story for Superman or other major heroes because they’re stories everyone knows.

“I’m not telling Batman and Superman’s origin stories again because everyone knows them. And don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner. That’s a project in development we’ve actually announced, and he’s an incredibly well-known character with not only some of the greatest comics of all time, but a successful film series and his own TV show, something that could be said of only a very small handful of DC characters,” Gunn wrote.

Superman “tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.” In addition to Merced, Gathegi, and Fillion, the film also stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Anthony Carrigan, María Gabriela de Faría, Skyler Gisondo, Wendell Pierce, and Frank Grillo.

Superman opens in theaters July 11, 2025.

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Creature Commandos ushered in the beginning of the DC Studios era on the small screen, and today fans are finally getting their first look at DC Studios’ big-screen Superman debut. The first trailer for James Gunn’s Superman gives fans their best look yet at David Corenswet’s take on the Man of Steel, including the new costume. During a Superman trailer premiere event, ComicBook had the chance to speak with Corenswet about that new suit, where he revealed the costume detail he loves most, and it’s not the Superman trunks.

“When we were in Cleveland outside, some guys on long lenses got some videos from up on the roof and some people sent me some videos of the cape,” Corenswet said. “I’m like this cape looks fantastic and that’s the real cape because you have to CGI it sometimes when you got wires or whatever, it was actually the only time it was tough is when you’re trying to get up from the floor gracefully because you inevitably end up stepping on it and ripping it out.”

“I think in some ways, I think that’s the best part of the costume,” Corenswet added. “I’ll tell you what, it feels a lot less cool without the cape, you feel pretty silly in the suit, without the cape. and you throw the cape on and it’s like, dude…”

The suit seems to mix All-Star Superman with some classic elements and a touch of modern flair, and one of those classic elements is the red trunks. There’s always a debate about the trunks in any Superman costume redesign, especially after the New 52 did away with them. They would make their return later on and have been a mainstay since the Rebirth era, and in a previous interview with ComicBook James Gunn revealed Corenswet was the one who won him over on the trunks being included with the costume.

[RELATED: James Gunn Finally Explains Why He Dropped “Legacy” From Superman’s Title]

“At the end of the day, [the debate] wasn’t that heated. It was heated for a while. I was on the ‘no trunks’ team for a long time,” Gunn said. “And [Man of Steel director] Zack [Snyder] said that when he was doing it, he tried a billion different trunk versions as we did. And I kept going back to no trunks, no trunks, no trunks. And I’m like, well, ‘Let’s just grind it out. Let’s just keep trying trunks and see what happens.’ And David [Corenswet] said something to me that really affected me.”

“We were trying on all these different versions, and we screen-tested with trunks and no trunks. And one of the things David said is that Superman wants kids to not be afraid of him. He’s an alien. He’s got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes, can blow the truck over. He’s this incredibly powerful, could be considered scary, individual and he wants people to like him. He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity,” Gunn said.

Superman soars into theaters on July 11, 2025.

What do you think of the new costume? You can talk all things DC and Superman with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

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David Corenswet will take on the mantle of The Man of Steel when James Gunn’s Superman film flies into theaters next year. Discussions have long taken place about how Gunn’s version seems to be going back to the ethos of Superman as opposed to other recent iterations. Corenswet sat down with the media for a Q&A on the Warner Bros. lot where he revealed his take on Superman’s “naivety,” and how in truth it’s actually a good sign. The 31-year-old compared it to his own life experience, noting that there are certain situations where he’s felt like the odd one out. He details a particular time when he was in school and missed out on “drama.”

David Corenswet on Superman’s Naivety

“I was always cut out of the drama when I was in school. Nobody ever cared to update me about it and I never felt like I knew the exciting, juicy gossip that was going on. For that reason I always sort of saw people as the best versions of themselves and saw relationships as the best versions of themselves. I don’t think it was in a terribly naive way. I think a lot of people consider Superman to be a naive character, at least to have a naivete about him.’

“I think there’s an element of that but I think it really is just sort of a blindness to the little imperfections and the little conflicts, the silly little things that we get caught up with as people. I tend to miss those and I think Superman misses those and that’s what keeps him steadfastly and determinately looking at the good and the hopeful and the future and grounded in the fun and playfulness of the present.”

[RELATED: David Corenswet Settles the Superman Trunks Debate (With a Better Reason Than the Comics)]

Per DC Studios, Superman, which lands in theaters on July 11, 2025, tracks the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and a better tomorrow, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.

Alongside Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan is playing the iconic Lois Lane, a renowned journalist at The Daily Planet and Clark’s better half. Several other members of the newsroom are in the film, including Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, a sports journalist at The Daily Planet, and Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe.

Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor alongside his assistant Eve Teschmacher (supermodel/actress Sara Sampaio). Additionally, Neva Howell plays Martha, Clark’s adoptive mother and an integral piece of every Superman adaptation. Anthony Carrigan is playing the fan-favorite Metamorpho.

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The moment DC fans have been waiting for has finally arrived as Warner Bros. has released the official trailer for Superman, James Gunn’s new film that arrives next summer. Though the first trailer has arrived after much demand, it has now lead to even more questions about the first movie in the brand new DCU. One of the biggest elements of the trailer is that it has very little dialogue, in fact, one of the only lines is Superman himself, speaking not to a person but to his dog, Krypto. “Home…,” Superman tells the pup. “Take me home.” But where does he mean?

ComicBook attended an early press event for the Superman trailer on the Warner Bros. lot earlier this week where we not only saw the first footage from the movie but spoke with writer/director James Gunn and the cast. In a brief moment with Superman himself, David Corenswet, we had the opportunity to ask him about his big line in the trailer and the moment that it represents in the film. Considering “Home” could be any number of places, we had to find out the truth.

“I’ll say this,” Corenswet said of the moment where Superman speaks with his dog. “You see in the trailer Krypto is dragging me through the snow. Do you think he’s gonna drag me through the snow all the way to Kansas?”

[RELATED: James Gunn Comments on Superman Movie Run Time (& It’s Not 3 Hours)]

As fans of Superman, and those that have been paying attention to the production of James Gunn’s new movie may know, this leaves about only one option for the hero. Considering the locale, that Krypto himself is present, and what we know about the movie, we can pretty safely say that when Superman says “Take me home,” he is referring to the Fortress of Solitude.

Filming on Superman mostly took place in Atlanta, Georgia and Clevaland, Ohio, but the movie briefly went overseas and shot on location in Norway. James Gunn even confirmed to a local outlet at the time that they went to the country to film scenes with Superman flying to the Fortress of Solitude. As we can see from the trailer itself, it seems like the Fortress will play a pivotal role in the new movie.

Gunn previously opened up about the use of Krypto in Superman, a first for a live-action feature film about the DC superhero, revealing that his take on the character was inspired by his own rescued dog, Ozu. In a post on X, Gunn previously wrote:

“Krypto arrives on screens in Superman this summer. Krypto was inspired by our dog Ozu, who we adopted shortly after I started writing Superman. Ozu, who came from a hoarding situation in a backyard with 60 other dogs & never knew human beings, was problematic to say the least. He immediately came in & destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture – he even ate my laptop. It took a long time before he would even let us touch him. I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?’ – and thus Krypto came into the script & changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life.”

David Corenswet leads an ensemble cast in Superman, flanked by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Emmy-winner Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Mad Max: Fury Road star Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The cast of Superman also includes Skyler Gisondo as Clark’s best pal, Jimmy Olsen; Wendell Pierce as The Daily Planet’s Perry White; Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl; Neva Howell as Martha Kent; and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.

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The most eagerly anticipated movie trailer of the year — the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman — is finally here, giving DC fans their best look yet at the upcoming film. But while the trailer offered up plenty of moments of Superman in action, glimpses of some of the other heroes in the film, and even touching homages to Richard Donner’s Superman, the trailer also offered a look at Lois Lane’s relationship with Clark Kent… and Superman. Specifically, the trailer shows Lois kissing both, but under different circumstances. Now, Lois Lane actor Rachel Brosnahan is teasing why Lois might react to the two differently — even if they are technically the same guy.

“I can’t possibly say, I’ll say it again, she works hard,” Brosnahan told ComicBook when asked if Lois was in a love triangle with the same man. “She plays hard, and she loves hard. She’s a lady with needs also that work cannot always fulfill.”

Brosnahan’s response, while vague, does fit in with something that Gunn previously said about Superman depicting a different take on Lois’ relationship with Clark/Superman than we’ve previously seen on screen. Specifically, Gunn said that Superman’s take on Lois and Clark’s relationship will be more complicated, something that is fitting considering Lois is who she is.

[RELATED: James Gunn Teases New Superman Score (& How It Honors John Williams)]

“It’s just something that’s completely us,” Gunn said. “The relationship between David [Corenswet] and Rachel’s [characters] on screen is something I don’t think we’ve seen — I hate to say stuff like this — but I don’t think it’s something we’ve ever seen in any superhero movie.”

He continued, “It’s a complicated relationship and we really get into it and there’s long scenes that are about their relationship and the way they relate to what it would be like for a person who’s this incredibly intelligent, strong-headed, stubborn, skeptical journalist to have a relationship with someone who can lift a skyscraper.”

Does Lois Know Clark’s Secret?

While the film aims to deliver a more complex relationship between Lois and Clark, Lois’ differing reactions to Clark and Superman in the trailer will likely have some fans wondering if Lois knows that Clark and Superman are the same person. In comics, generally, Clark’s double life is something that Lois learns over time, even if it is something she suspects pretty early on. When asked about what Lois knows, Gunn largely played coy.

“Well, we’ll see,” he said. “She knows who Superman is.”

“The only people that know Clark/Superman are his mom and dad and a few others who know who he is, and those are very different things. People said all sorts of different things. They said, ‘Clark’s the real one.’ They said, ‘Superman’s the real one and Clark’s the secret identity,’” he said. “But I don’t, it says it in my script on the second page — I don’t believe either of those things. I don’t think anybody knows Superman unless they know both of him. And when they know both of him, they know the real guy. And that means not too many people.”

Superman opens in theaters July 11, 2025

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How long will audiences have to “look up” at James Gunn’s new Superman movie? The good news is that we now know it won’t be a three-hour neck stretch—not even close. James Gunn himself confirmed that during a press event this week for the launch of the Superman teaser trailer after ComicBook’s Chris Killian asked what the run time was on the Superman reboot film. While Gunn didn’t reveal the exact run time in his response, he did confirm that Superman is “well under three hours… Under two and a half.”

Will James Gunn’s Superman Be the Shortest Version Yet?

It’s become a fun piece of DC movie trivia that Richard Donner’s Superman and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel both have the same exact run time of 143 minutes (or two hours and 23 minutes). Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns bucked the trend by tacking on even more screen time, coming in at a controversial 154 minutes (or two hours and 34 minutes).

[RELATED: How the DCU Will Avoid a Major Share Universe Mistake]

Gunn is clearly drawing inspiration from Donner’s original Superman film – including a new version of John Williams’ iconic Superman theme song. It isn’t hard to imagine Gunn aiming to match the run time of Donner’s Superman movie, as 143 minutes is still “well under three hours,” and technically “under two and a half.” It would be another Easter egg ode to Superman‘s cinematic legacy — but still a 50/50 risk with audiences: most people love the epic feel of Donner’s film (no matter the length); conversely, most fans were critical of Snyder over Man of Steel‘s run time, so it really will depend on how Gunn tells the story.

We know that Superman will plunge fans into a fully formed DCU, where Superman and many other superheroes are already active around the globe. Gunn has teased that these appearances from other heroes won’t be distractions, but will rather be brushstrokes of the larger DCU David Corenswet’s Superman exists in. Between examining Superman’s status quo, his world of supporting characters (Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, the Kents), and the rivalry between Lex Luthor and Superman, there’s more than enough for a two-hour movie. Peppering in scenes where Superman (even briefly) encounters other DCU characters in organic or episodic ways would easily add some additional run time.

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Terence Rosemore as Otis, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica / The Engineer, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mr. Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent, Neva Howell as Martha Kent, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe. There will also be appearances from Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl.

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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While the new DC Universe from DC Studios has officially launched with the animated Max series Creature Commandos, all eyes are on the budding franchise’s first tentpole next summer. The first major blockbuster from DC Studios arrives in theaters in 2025, introducing a brand new Superman to the world. James Gunn, who runs DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, is writing and directing Superman, and fans finally have their first look at footage from the highly anticipated movie. Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.

Warner Bros. and DC Studios just unveiled the very first trailer for Superman, which has been one of the most eagerly awaited movie trailers in quite a long time. You can check out the trailer in the video at the top of the page!

Outside of a couple of images from Gunn and DC, this is the first chance fans have had to see this new-look Superman for the budding DC Universe. After Henry Cavill’s turn as the iconic hero, the character was handed to actor David Corenswet, who is know for his key supporting roles in Pearl and Twisters.

There was a ton of attention being paid to Superman when it began its casting process last year. Corenswet ultimately landed the coveted role of Clark Kent, bringing a new face to the iconic character. The other lead role in the film, that of Lois Lane, went to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Emmy-winner Rachel Brosnahan. Nicholas Hoult, who almost landed the role of Bruce Wayne in The Batman, was cast in Superman as the hero’s most popular rival, Lex Luthor.

[RELATED: DC’s Clayface Movie Already Has a Release Date]

The cast of Superman also includes Skyler Gisondo as Clark’s best pal, Jimmy Olsen; Wendell Pierce as The Daily Planet’s Perry White; Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl; Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders, aka Hawkgirl; Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner; Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord; Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt, aka Mister Terrific; Maria Gabriela de Faria as Angela Spica, aka The Engineer; Sara Sampan as Eve Teschmacher; Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason, aka Metamorphosis; Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.; Neva Howell as Martha Kent; and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent.

As you can probably tell from those character names, a lot of these folks are going to help usher in the greater DC Universe. Grillo’s Flag has already debuted in the franchise, as he is one of the stars of the animated Creature Commandos TV series. Fillion’s Guy Gardner is one of the most popular Green Lanterns in the pages of DC Comics, right behind the likes of Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Those two characters will be appearing in HBO’s upcoming Lanterns series, being played by Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, respectively.

Milly Alcock’s Supergirl has already been announced to lead her own solo film in this DCU. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is slated to be released in 2026, just about a year after the debut of Superman.

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One of the most anticipated movie trailers in recent memory is finally on its way. James Gunn has relaunched the on-screen shared universe of DC Comics and is kicking off the theatrical side of the franchise with a new take on the most iconic superhero of all time: Superman. Flying into theaters next summer, Superman will star David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, ushering in a new era for DC heroes on the big screen.

Fans have been waiting a long time to see what Gunn’s take on Superman will look like, and now we’ve got a little glimpse. On Wednesday, DC Studios release a brief teaser for Superman, containing just 30 seconds of footage from the film. The teaser also brought confirmation that the official Superman trailer will be arriving on Thursday morning. You can check out the teaser above!

The footage from this new teaser largely shows people around Metropolis looking up to spot Superman as he flies through the skies. There’s not much footage of him in the teaser, but the video does kick off with a great look at Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.

[RELATED: James Gunn Promises Supporting DC Characters in Superman Aren’t Just Cameos]

In addition to revealing a blink of footage in the teaser, DC also made its countdown for the official trailer live. That trailer will make its way online at 9am ET on Thursday morning.

Corenswet stars in Superman as the one and only Clark Kent, bringing a new face to the iconic character. The other lead role in the film, that of Lois Lane, belongs to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Emmy-winner Rachel Brosnahan. Nicholas Hoult, who almost landed the role of Bruce Wayne in The Batman, was cast in Superman as the hero’s most popular rival, Lex Luthor.

The cast of Superman also includes Skyler Gisondo as Clark’s best pal, Jimmy Olsen; Wendell Pierce as The Daily Planet’s Perry White; Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl; Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders, aka Hawkgirl; Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner; Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord; Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt, aka Mister Terrific; Maria Gabriela de Faria as Angela Spica, aka The Engineer; Sara Sampan as Eve Teschmacher; Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason, aka Metamorphosis; Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.; Neva Howell as Martha Kent; and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent.

As you can probably tell from those character names, a lot of these folks are going to help usher in the greater DC Universe. Grillo’s Flag has already debuted in the franchise, as he is one of the stars of the animated Creature Commandos TV series. Fillion’s Guy Gardner is one of the most popular Green Lanterns in the pages of DC Comics, right behind the likes of Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Those two characters will be appearing in HBO’s upcoming Lanterns series, being played by Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, respectively.

Milly Alcock’s Supergirl has already been announced to lead her own solo film in this DCU. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is slated to be released in 2026, just about a year after the debut of Superman.

Superman is set to hit theaters everywhere on July 11, 2025.

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The animated poster for James Gunn’s Superman leaned on a classic score to get the hype started this week. It used a variation of “Superman — Main Theme” by John Williams from the 1978 Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve. During a set visit before the trailer debuted, Gunn told ComicBook and other outlets about the process of choosing music for this momentous project. Superman features an original score by composer John Murphy, who has worked with Gunn on other recent productions. While the poster used a familiar throwback, Gunn assured reporters the score was largely original.

“There’s nods to Williams, and then also John Murphy’s created this incredibly beautiful score,” the filmmaker shared. Gunn is famous for using popular music soundtracks in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, but he said he is not leaning on that strategy here.

“It is a score, not a soundtrack,” he said. “So, it’s not about the songs. There’s a few songs in it, and of course I chose those songs beforehand, but it isn’t like any of my previous movies, really … The score is what drives it. It’s a much, much more of a score film.”

[RELATED: James Gunn Finally Explains Why He Dropped “Legacy” From Superman’s Title]

Murphy was officially confirmed as the composer for Superman in February of 2024. He first worked with Gunn on The Suicide Squad in 2021, replacing Tyler Bates, who had created the scores for several of Gunn’s previous movies, including the first two installments of Guardians. Murphy then stuck with Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Peacemaker, and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. He is now helping to kick off the DCU.

It’s no surprise that Gunn is leaning on nostalgia in this early stage of promoting Superman, but it makes sense that the movie itself will have an original score. It has a lot to live up to — building on the successes of past depictions of Superman without repeating their mistakes or re-treading familiar territory, and simultaneously trying to launch a shared cinematic universe.

We know little about the story of Superman so far, except that it will pick up when Clark Kent is around 25 years old. We also know it will introduce several other DC heroes, including Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). Gunn assured reporters these are “not just cameos,” though they are “supporting cast.”

We may learn more when the full trailer premieres on Thursday, December 19th. Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

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