Phil Roberts 
DAVID CORENSWET as Superman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ “SUPERMAN,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC
James Gunn’s Superman trailer is a visual spectacle! From the debut of Kryto to Superman fighting a giant Kaiju, this new DC Universe promises an epic adventure.
Finally, the first trailer for James Gunn’s Superman has dropped, and it’s a total goldmine of iconic imagery! If DC fans were worried about what Gunn’s vision for the Man of Steel would look like, they can chill out now. The trailer is mind-blowing and packed with Superman iconography. From the debut of Kryto to the image of Superman fighting an enormous Kaiju, James Gunn’s vision of the new DC Universe looks grander in scale than anything we have seen before. But what are the biggest takeaways from the trailer? Let’s dive in.
UPDATED WILLIAMS
Perhaps the most nostalgic addition to the trailer is the traditional Superman theme written by John Williams. The iconic theme accompanied Christopher Reeve’s Man of Steel across four movies and was refreshed for Brandon Routh’s solo outing. But thankfully, James Gunn has refreshed the theme for a whole new generation. The recent motion poster delivered our first taste of John Murphy’s cinematic score. But for the latest trailer, Murphy created a punchy rock version to ramp up the impact of the incredible imagery.
KRYPTO
As mentioned above, Krypto’s live-action debut is perhaps the trailer’s biggest takeaway. The glorious super pet is finally joining in on the action, and from the trailer’s first moments, it’s clear he’ll play a pivotal role in the story. With his loving, affectionate eyes, Krypto is on hand to aid his owner in returning to the Fortress of Solitude. But what force could be powerful enough to knock the Man of Steel out of action? Lex Luthor, perhaps? Or is it something we haven’t seen yet?
LUTHOR’S VENDETTA
Speaking of Lex Luthor, we also got our first look at the DC supervillain, played by Nicholas Hoult. Taking on such a legendary role, especially following in the footsteps of Hollywood great Gene Hackman, is no small feat. However, Hoult seems to embrace the challenge with remarkable enthusiasm. The dynamic visuals showcasing Luthor look impressive, and the imposing Luthorcorp building hints at Lex’s substantial power. James Gunn recently confirmed that Superman and Lex are aware of each other’s existence in this new DC Universe but have yet to cross paths. Still, it’s reasonable to expect that this will likely change by the time the credits roll – and I cannot wait to see their legendary rivalry spark into life.
LOIS & CLARK
One of the key takeaways from the trailer is that Lois and Superman are already in a relationship, and notably, Lois is aware of Clark’s secret identity. This significant shift aligns with Gunn’s commitment to moving past the repetitive origin story and diving straight into the core of the narrative. By bypassing this familiar trope, Gunn can concentrate on crafting a new and engaging storyline without getting bogged down by the traditional elements of the Superman lore.
A NEW MAN OF STEEL
The question of whether David Corenswet can convincingly portray Superman or Clark Kent has finally been answered. From the start, Corenswet brings a passionate energy to the role, effectively breathing life into this new version of Superman. In the trailer, Director Gunn really showcases Clark’s strong faith in humanity and his willingness to make personal sacrifices for that belief, even when we find it hard to believe in ourselves. This kind of character development feels spot-on for Superman, showing that Gunn really understands the character. His insights hit at the core of why we love Superman, hinting at an honest and relatable portrayal.
THOUGHTS
The big question is: does the trailer live up to the hype? That ultimately comes down to personal opinion. Personally, I was thrilled with the imagery. Corenswet seems the perfect choice for our new Superman, and Nicholas Hoult shines as Lex Luthor. Plus, Krypto is absolutely adorable. While I’m not sold on the electric guitar riff added to John Williams’s iconic theme, I appreciate its fresh take and need more time to fully process what we’ve seen. However, based on this first trailer, it looks like James Gunn is poised to deliver one of the best interpretations of the Man of Steel we’ve seen yet, and that’s an exciting prospect.
In a time when the world is on the brink of universal conflict, it’s awesome to see a bit of hope in the air as we look up at the skies. Superman may be a character from a comic, but that positive vibe is exactly what we need right now. With John Williams’ epic score playing in the background, you can feel that hope returning… Superman is back!
Superman swoops into cinemas on July 11th from DC Studios and Warner Bros.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
