For the past week, Warner Bros. Pictures, James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), and the folks at DC Studios have been telling us to look up and forward to the trailer for Superman (releasing in theaters July 11, 2025). This trailer has a lot of weight on its shoulders as it’s not only the first film in the new DCU (DC Cinematic Universe) or the first stand-alone Superman movie in 12 years, but it is also coming out in an era where DC films have been in absolute disarray. Does this trailer live up to the hype? Let’s talk about the five biggest takeaways from the Superman trailer.
Superman Can Bleed
Like many excellent trailers, Superman commences with an unexpected twist. Superman (David Corenswet; Pearl) has fallen and is bleeding in the snow. How did he end up in this position? Is it because of Kryptonite? Or possibly another superpowered being (we see a few in the trailer, including a Kaiju breathing fire and a masked figure fighting Superman in a baseball stadium)? One of the most interesting aspects of Superman’s stories is finding what can break him and push him to his limits. The fundamental element of his character is how he can be faced with so many odds stacked against him yet still rise above them. Seeing that he needs his cute dog Krypto to help him only makes Superman feel more relatable and human.
A New Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is one of the most iconic comic book villains and the Man of Steel’s archnemesis. However, one could argue that we have never seen the best incarnation of Lex in films. From nefarious plans involving real estate to grievances with God, the adaptations of Lex haven’t truly captured the root of his character. Nicholas Hoult’s version already looks incredibly spot-on with just the few glimpses we see of him. Whether it’s him enraged by seeing Superman fly by LuthorCorp or pulling out that gun to make himself feel powerful, Hoult’s Lex seems primed to be the best film version of the character yet. This is a man who hates Superman with a passion both out of jealousy and the belief that he is not the true savior of humanity.
Superman and Lois
Like Lex Luthor, another essential part of Clark’s life is Lois Lane. Rachel Brosnahan looks absolutely perfect as the acclaimed Daily Planet reporter. But we’ve had many talented actresses portray Lois before. The key is her relationship and chemistry with Clark. When they are in a room together, you need to feel that heat, that sizzling connection that shows and doesn’t tell. It’s just a trailer, but I think we get that here. From Superman in his Clark Kent disguise kissing her (it’s always best when Lois falls for Clark first before Superman) to them floating up to the sky in a romantic embrace, this might very well be the best “Clois” representation on film since Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.
Superman isn’t the only hero
There are many heroes showcased in this trailer, from Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific to Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern to Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl. One of the things that sets this film apart from other Superman movies is that he is being introduced to a world where so many heroes are already established. Funnily enough, this acts as its own commentary on the state of superhero films today. When Superman: The Movie came out in 1978, it was the beginning of an age of blockbuster superhero movies. But, as time went on, Superman’s popularity faded away with the influx of superhero movies like Spider-Man (2002), Iron Man (2008), and Black Panther (2018). With The Avengers films taking the spotlight and almost a decade without a Superman-led film, one began to wonder if the character could still co-exist in a world so populated with these other heroes.
Hope And Nostalgia Returns
Many have been cynical of Superman’s hope and optimism, but James Gunn has stated that is one of the main themes of the film. How can a man who is kind-hearted bring out the best of humanity when it’s so hard to believe these days? The answer is by being Superman and inspiring the world. It’s so evident that this is the case in the scenes where Superman is saving a child from a giant Kaiju, and another child is calling his name for his help. The best superhero films are the ones where the actions of the hero inspire those around them (especially kids), and this seems to follow that notion. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a superhero film focus on a hero actually saving their city. The Batman (2022) is the last one that comes to mind. The nostalgic feeling of the older superhero films is compounded by the use of John Williams’ score for Superman: The Movie (1978). The iconic Williams theme is brought back with an 80s guitar riff to boot. John Murphy manages to make this variation feel so traditional yet also fresh at the same time, very much like the film and trailer itself, the score is bringing us back home.
James Gunn’s Superman looks like it definitely lives up to the hype and is worthy of the character’s rich legacy. It’s going to be incredibly exciting to see us get closer to the release with more trailers and information to behold. We will all be looking up on July 11, 2025.
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