Some very lucky journalists were invited to visit the set of James Gunn’s Superman, and their reports have now been released online. Superman will officially kick off the new DC Universe on the big screen, with The Marvelous Ms. Mazel’s David Corenswet playing the Man of Steel. We’ve already learned a lot from the reports, including the reason behind Superman’s signature red trunks, whether we’ll see the destruction of Krypton once again, and the surprising action films that inspired the new movie. While Gunn is a devout lover of the comics, his iteration of Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) will be drastically different from the past big screen versions.
“All-Star Superman… influenced me more than anything,” Gunn told Gizmodo during the set visit. The inspirations from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s beloved DC Comics run are overt, including Superman’s costume and optimistic appearance. But the inspiration also extends to the portrayal of Lex Luthor. Past versions, like Jesse Eisenberg in the DCEU and Gene Hackman in Superman (1978), have downplayed Lex’s scientific intelligence for his business savy. But, in the comics, Lex Luthor is also a scientific genius, able to create dangerous weapons from kryptonite. James Gunn explained:

“Being able to take that sort of Silver Age feel, that sort of science fiction approach to it with gadgets, Lex is really a sort of sorcerer in a way. He’s a scientist, but he’s so good at science and I think of him as like a sorcerer.”

Nicholas Hoult will portray Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman. Leaked set photos revealed Hoult in character as the calculated CEO of Lex Corp, sporting his signature bald “hairstyle,” unlike Eisenberg’s version. Hoult has kept his cards close to his chest about his version of Lex Luthor, but the actor has promised that Gunn and DC Studios have “done something special” with Superman.
The First ‘Superman’ Trailer Drops Tomorrow!

Fans are almost as excited for Superman’s trailer as they are about the movie itself. For months, rumors have spread across the internet about when the trailer could be expected to drop. James Gunn very recently put our anticipation and speculation to bed when he revealed that Superman’s first official trailer will drop tomorrow (December 19). There’s a lot that fans want to see from the trailer. How will all the heroes play into the film and the wider DCU? How terrifying will Hoult be as Lex Luthor? And what will David Corenswet’s Superman look like in flight? All those questions and more will be answered in less than 24 hours.

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‘Superman’ Will Differ From the MCU In a Major Way

James Gunn insists that it will feel like a standalone story rather than an advertisement for the DCU.

Superman releases in theaters on July 11, 2025. Alongside Corenswet and Hoult, the film features a packed cast, which includes Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Milly Alcock (Supergirl), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olson), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Wendell Pierce (Perry White), and so many more. While DC fans wait for Superman to hit theaters, the DCU is already technically underway with the animated series, Creature Commandos, which streams weekly on Max.

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.’ rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”

Release Date

July 11, 2025

Cast

David Corenswet
, Rachel Brosnahan
, María Gabriela De Faría
, Edi Gathegi
, Nicholas Hoult
, Frank Grillo
, Nathan Fillion
, Milly Alcock
, Sara Sampaio
, Pruitt Taylor Vince
, Skyler Gisondo
, Anthony Carrigan
, Wendell Pierce
, Beck Bennett
, Sean Gunn

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