James Gunn in the New Superman Trailer: A Potentially Great Revelation for DC Comics

The latest preview for the upcoming Superman movie of 2025 has been released, and I must say, I’m quite impressed. While opinions differ, I will share why I believe that DC leader James Gunn might achieve what previous directors and studio executives failed to do — bringing the greatness back to DC.

But first, the trailer. Watch it if you haven’t already. 

In this preview, there are several key moments that indicate to me that this movie has the potential to be outstanding and could offer a Superman film that we’ve long been awaiting. While I personally believe that Henry Cavill was an excellent Superman, the decision to cast David Corenswet as the man of steel seems promising.

One aspect that particularly caught my attention is how Gunn chose to kick off the trailer with Superman visibly in a dire situation, lying in the snow severely wounded. After catching his breath, he whistles, and out comes Krypto, Superman’s loyal super dog. While some find this choice unexpected, to me, it signifies Gunn’s strength in blending elements of cuteness with seriousness.

Fans of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies will know that Gunn is a master of this, and while Guardians 3 wasn’t the best of the series, I think he proved that he knows how to endear people in the midst of high stakes and tragedy. 

I love that Superman’s words to Krypto are also “take me home,” and I can’t help but feel this is another symbol from Gunn. He’s bringing back the Superman that you’ve always known and loved. 

From here you get some standard Superman scenes, like covering a young girl as an explosion nearly claims her life. This is followed up by shots of Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and Lexcorp as Superman flies by. 

Then there’s a contrasting between Superman being loved and hated. A child in what looks like a Third World country pushes a homemade flag featuring the Superman “S” into the air, closes his eyes, and says Superman’s name among what looks like chaos and people charging into battle. Contrast this in the next scene of what looks like America, where people are openly hostile to Superman, and throwing things at him. 

This means that, at some point, Superman is going to fail big, causing people to hate him. He’s soon joined by Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl Kendra Saunders (Isabela Merced) as Superman looks at something painfully. 

In fact, the one thing that gives me the impression this movie might have a big downside is that much of this trailer seems to be Superman looking sad or defeated. One thing I think audiences have had enough of is a sad Superman. 

These remaining scenes are intercut with more actions shots and Superman’s relationship with Lois Lane. It’s clear from the trailer that a lot is going to happen in this film, and I hope it doesn’t get too convoluted, however, Gunn has taught me to trust his judgement and filmmaking ability.

I’m definitely interested in this movie, which is more than I can say for every other superhero offering right now. Marvel has crashed and burned, and while they say it’s due to “superhero fatigue,” I’m not quite sure if that’s what it is. I think what people are exhausted of is propaganda in films where it’s not welcome, and that’s taught us to be wary of superhero films where this has become a serious problem. 

Moreover, there have been people asking if we needed another Superman movie. 

No, we don’t, but it doesn’t mean one isn’t welcome when it comes around if it’s done correctly. Stories have been told and retold for all of human existence. Retelling superhero stories is no different. What I think people are really asking is “do we need another mid, or bad, Superman movie?” 

My hope is that Gunn doesn’t deliver one. I’m rooting for the guy, because when Gunn tells stories, he seems to tell them from a position of loving the characters and tales that go along with them. Too many movies, especially superhero movies, are told from a position of not having cared about characters or universe at all. That was part of Marvel’s big problem. 

But Gunn truly seems to care, and we’re going to see if this makes a difference in July, 2025.