Jay Rohr
Superman is not doing well. The recently arrived teaser trailer makes that clear when a bloody, beaten Kal-el crashes into a remote snowy landscape. An electric guitar interpretation of John William’s iconic theme rises, as Krypto the Superdog comes to his aid. Too broken to move, the man of steel has the dog drag him to safety.
Within those few seconds is enough to either fuel fans into a frenzy or feed naysayers looking for any excuse to dismiss this movie. It may not seem like a lot, but the opening skillfully delivers a great deal about the upcoming film by James Gunn. Everything narrative remains mostly speculation. However, the inclusion of Krypto the Superdog jives with Gunn’s intention to have a Silver Age sensibility.
While Snyder-verse enthusiasts may sneer at the lighthearted implications of that choice, they seem to forget that bright optimistic characters can exist in grim worlds. Gunn has already proven his ability to compose narratives which possess modern gritty notions alongside the Silver Age’s, for lack of a better term, silliness. Cases in point include The Suicide Squad (2021) and Peacemaker series.
Visual teases throughout the trailer give hints of the multitude of characters audiences will encounter. These include the obvious such as Lois Lane played by Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Miss Maisel) and Lex Luthor portrayed by Nicholaus Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road). However, it’s the rest of the cast that may spark the most curiosity.
Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus) can be seen flying in as Hawkgirl. Nathan Fillion (Slither) as Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern, storms into the lobby of Stagg Industries to confront Superman. Edi Gathegi (For All Mankind) appears as Mr. Terrific, a super scientist handling a hostile situation with his miraculous T-spheres. Anthony Carrigan (Barry) can briefly be seen as Metamorpho. Will this character, who can turn into any material on the periodic table, morph into kryptonite and bash Superman senseless?
For now, that’s the fun. Superman makes a last-minute save rescuing a small girl from a giant monster menacing Metropolis. Jonathan Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince) gets a hug from his son Clark. The teaser delivers just enough to make educated guesses. Of course, it’s not all good.
At one point we see Superman screaming in sorrow over a broken robot in the Fortress of Solitude, whom, it seems safe to speculate, is Kelex, most likely voiced by Alan Tudyk. For those unfamiliar, this is a mechanical servant who belonged to Kal-el’s Kryptonian family, who knew his parents — one of few tangible traces of them and that place. So, it’s safe to say this version of Superman is bound to experience heartbreaking losses.
Meanwhile, there are signs throughout the trailer of a world that doesn’t seem thrilled to see him. It gives the sense that the film will explore the role he plays in society. Many comic book writers as well as filmmakers have erred by trying to compose dilemmas that put Superman’s physical powers to the test. The teaser suggests that Gunn is making the right play, however, aiming at the man of steel’s greatest ability which is inspiring others. His comic book adaptations have already shown an exploration of kindness in a cruel world, and this movie seems on that same track.
Superman returns to theaters July 11th, 2025. Until then, rabid fans will have to pick the teaser to pieces. Many have already taken to YouTube turning a two-minute trailer into half hour diatribes devouring every easter egg. Background characters such as Steve Lombard played by SNL alum Beck Bennet confirm what an IMDB roster could already tell fans without giving away any important details. Although that isn’t to say certain elements of the trailer don’t suggest what may be on the horizon.
Science is surely going to be treated like sorcery. The Justice Society appears to already exist. This isn’t a world where fantastical beings like Superman aren’t uncommon, but humanity’s relationship to them may not be ideal. Perhaps, most importantly, alongside snippets of a comically bumbling Clark Kent, wonderfully reminiscent of Christopher Reeves; we get to see David Corenswet struggling, not only physically, but emotionally. Superman is about to go through some things.
