"Superman" Official Trailer: The Man of Steel (David Corenswet) Faces Scrutiny and Sacrifice in James Gunn’s Highly Anticipated DC Superhero Film with Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult
Corenswet's Superman grapples with the complexities of heroism and public perception in a world questioning his place.
James Gunn’s new Superman movie is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of the summer. It also comes with a huge question mark. Depending on what you read on social media, this new Superman movie is either destined to be the biggest hit of the summer, setting up the DC cinematic universe on a strong foundation, or it’s already doomed from the start with no chance of success and will likely drag the DCEC down with it. The chatter surrounding the film has been vigorous, to say the least. There are a lot of opinions out there, with many already trying to predict whether Gunn’s new Superman adaptation will fly or fall flat on its face.
We say, can we all just keep our shirts on for a moment and wait for the damn movie to come out before expressing a real opinion, either positive or negative? There’s no need for this rush of judgment. But alas, it seems like the internet loves to jump to conclusions before the credits even roll. It’s the nature of these types of franchise films, we suppose, that invites excessive reactions from eager fans and skeptics alike, combing through every bit of promotional material for evidence to back up their predictions. Whether it’s analyzing every trailer frame or dissecting interviews for hidden clues, everyone seems to have a theory about what will work—and what won’t—before the film even hits theaters. It’s part of the frenzy, but also part of the fun.
Well, here’s something that we’re sure will get the internet riled up again. It’s the official full-length Superman trailer, offering our best look yet at what James Gunn has in store for the iconic hero.
So, get ready for opinions to fly faster than a speeding bullet! This is either the DC savior we’ve all been waiting for, or... it’s another misstep in a long line of attempts. Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: fans will have plenty to say about it either way.
What makes this such a property that has attracted so much attention has partly to do with the pressure surrounding it. Being the first major film to introduce Gunn’s new vision for the DC universe, it has invited both serious interest and criticism. Fans are eager to see how this new direction will reshape the franchise, while others remain skeptical about the changes.
What’s interesting is that this new full Superman trailer starts off with the Man of Steel defending his actions, standing up for what he believes in against a slew of harsh criticisms.
David Corenswet as Clark Kent, aka Kal-El aka Superman, is sitting down with intrepid Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Emmy Award-winner Rachel Brosnahan) in a supposedly friendly one-on-one interview. He thinks it’s going to be a round of softball questions, especially since they’re already in a relationship. But Lois pulls no punches, explaining to him that the world is not as simple as black and white, good vs evil. There are consequences to preventing a war. To which Clark screams, “People were going to die!”
It’s a tense moment that seemingly sets the tone for a hero who is not only battling threats from his own government but also grappling with how he’s perceived in a world that’s increasingly questioning his place and purpose. This clash of ideals perhaps reflects the complexities of being a hero in a world that demands more than just strength and virtue. It demands accountability and an understanding that even the best intentions can have unintended consequences.
Which, if Superman were a true villain, like, say, his nemesis, the billionaire opportunist Lex Luthor (played here by Nicholas Hoult), he would not only avoid that same type of scrutiny, but he wouldn’t care. The rules are different between heroes and villains. Heroes must live up to a certain standard and defend everything they stand for, while villains thrive on breaking those rules and manipulating the system to suit their desires.
Said to be partly inspired by the award-winning comic book series All-Star Superman by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, which featured a back-to-basics story that leaned heavily into Superman’s humanity and inherent goodness, while also having him embrace his larger-than-life persona as a symbol of hope, compassion, and heroism, Gunn’s film might be doing a similar thing. And it seems Superman’s sense of responsibility and Luthor’s disregard for repercussions might be at the very heart of this new vision of the iconic superhero.
“Your choices. Your actions. That’s what makes you who you are,” we hear actor Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Jonathan Kent explain to Clark in one of the most poignant scenes of the new trailer. Sometimes it’s as simple as that. And sometimes it just takes the words of someone you trust to remind you of who you are.
Joining Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult in the cast are Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, alongside Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Skyler Gisondo as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen, and Wendell Pierce as Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White.
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman will once again take flight in theaters this summer on July 11.
So prepare to yet again believe a man can fly. But the question is, will this new take on the iconic hero soar, or will it crash under the weight of high expectations?
