James Gunn
could not be happier to have been able to give DC fans their first look at 2025’s Superman
, but there is a lot to unpack when it comes to the footage seen in what is sure to become a record-breaking trailer. One of those things is why Superman appears to be defeated, lying bloodied and battered on the ice, in the very first shot that is seen in the teaser. Is this Superman being shown to be weak?
Thankfully, Gunn took part in a Q&A session at the Superman trailer press conference and, as per ScreenRant, was on hand to address the reason one of the world’s greatest superheroes is making a first impression with what seems to be a brutal defeat.

“We do have a battered Superman in the beginning. That is our country. I believe in the goodness of human beings, and I believe that most people in this country, despite their ideological beliefs, their politics, are doing their best to get by and be good people — despite what it may seem like to the other side, no matter what that other side might be. This movie is about that. It’s about the basic kindness of human beings, and that it can be seen as uncool and under siege [by] some of the darker voices are some of the louder voices.”

James Gunn’s Enthusiasm is Contagious

It is safe to say that Superman will be heavily judged when it makes its debut next summer, with everyone from long-term comic book fans, through Christopher Reeve aficionados, to Zack Snyder’s ardent army of admirers all having their own take on how successful David Corenswet’s hero stacks up to past iterations. However, one thing that is very clear is that James Gunn is bringing something to the party that cannot be touched by anyone, but can also help carry the movie to success – his endless enthusiasm for the new DCU he is crafting with Peter Safran. In a subsequent interview with Variety, Gunn elaborated on his plans for Superman’s debut.

“I’m excited for people to get to see the essence of what we’re doing, because it really has been like this private secret that we’ve all been hoarding. We felt really good about it, like from a moral place, even from the beginning. We all felt like we were doing something good, both in terms of quality and in terms of actually something that’s not a fascistic power fantasy. I’m not saying that about other hero movies in general. But it felt good to be doing something that was about a person’s kindness.”

Related

Isn’t It a Little Early for James Gunn To Be Teasing ‘Superman’s Post-Credits Scene?

The trailer for James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ is currently firing up fans on social media, but there’s another tease that’s getting attention.

In just nine hours, the trailer has amassed 14 million views on the official DC YouTube channel, and that number will continue to grow. It is unsurprisingly also the top trending topic on the video sharing website, as fans have flocked to get their first true hint of how the new DCU is going to play out under the control of its new CEOs. From the initial reactions, it is hard to imagine the resurrection of the beaten franchise being in better hands, and no doubt, like the Man of Steel himself by the end of the trailer, it will soar.

Your changes have been saved

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

Expand