After months of teasing, hints, and speculation, the first trailer for James Gunn’s Superman is finally here—and it is impressive.
For years, DC fans have grappled with their own cinematic universe. While Marvel has built a money-making machine, delivering multiple movies annually, DC has faced many false starts, with the Snyder-verse never quite achieving the success that DC and Warner Bros. had hoped for. That may be about to change with the first major entry in the new DC movie universe, Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy). Based on the trailer, James Gunn appears to have a firm grasp on what this reboot will look like.
The trailer opens with a scene of Superman, played by David Corenswet, on the ground in what appears to be the Arctic. He looks worse for wear—at least until something appears in the distance: Krypto, making his modern film debut and setting the tone for this new Superman entry. While it seems to retain the darker elements DC is known for in the comics, the trailer also hints at bringing joy and heart back into the movies—something sorely missed in recent DC releases.
The Superman trailer also offers a quick snapshot of what the new DC universe will look like, including hints at the superheroes James Gunn has chosen to lead this reboot for Warner Bros. There will undoubtedly be plenty of breakdowns in the coming days analyzing who appears in the trailer, but even from a first viewing, we get glimpses of Hawkgirl (played by Isabela Merced), David Corenswet’s Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, and several shots of Nicholas Hoult’s take on Lex Luthor.
While it is still far too early to judge what Superman will look like upon release, the tone and visual style already appear more in line with the spirit of the comics compared to Zack Snyder’s interpretation. Don’t get me wrong—there are plenty of fans who love Snyder’s take on the characters—but what James Gunn is crafting feels much more aligned with the tone and themes seen throughout the character’s storied history in comics.
Slated to launch on July 11, 2025, there is still ample time for Warner Bros. and James Gunn to finalize Superman before it hits the screens worldwide. However, based on everything shown in this latest trailer, excitement for a return to the DC universe has never been higher.
