In what might be the most unexpected heart-tugger of the superhero genre this year, James Gunn’s Superman preview — revealed first at CinemaCon and now streaming online — presents a thrilling, humorous, and emotionally grounded vision of DC’s most iconic hero. And while David Corenswet’s Superman soars, it’s Krypto the Super-Dog who steals hearts and headlines.
Opening with a snow-covered crash landing, the teaser places a battered, barely-mobile Superman in an unfamiliar role: helpless. It’s a scene that could have veered into bleakness, but Gunn expertly undercuts the tension with Krypto’s playful chaos — turning a rescue mission into slapstick comedy before pivoting back into poignant warmth.
It’s a balancing act that defines the preview. Gunn, who also serves as co-CEO of DC Studios, proves once again that he understands how to blend genre tradition with subversive charm. The use of extended footage, including Superman’s retrieval by a crystal-clear canine and his arrival at a revamped Fortress of Solitude, teems with both familiarity and fresh reinterpretation.
What truly stands out — beyond the loving nod to the 1978 John Barry crystalline Fortress — is the introduction of cape-wearing, sunbeam-wielding Superman robots. These quirky caretakers are more than a stylistic flourish; they are a direct homage to Silver Age comics and the rich pulp lineage that shaped the superhero mythos. Drawing inspiration from Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman and the pre-superhero days of Doc Savage, Gunn roots his Superman not in modern cynicism, but in the earnest grandeur of genre history.
These robots, part whimsical medics, part mythological echoes, represent a cinematic risk that pays off. They’re weird, yes — but gloriously so. They signal that Gunn is leaning all the way into DC’s most fantastical lore, unafraid to embrace its oddities.
Corenswet’s Superman radiates the vulnerability of a man burdened by both power and responsibility, while Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane sparkles with confidence and chemistry. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, seen briefly, simmers with intensity. The supporting ensemble — including Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) — rounds out what promises to be a dynamic, visually rich universe.
But make no mistake: the humor is not a distraction from the drama — it is the drama. Gunn’s ability to find humanity (and hilarity) in Kryptonian recovery, canine chaos, and robotic healing beams turns this preview into something more than just a string of hero shots. It’s storytelling with soul.
As Warner Bros. gears up for the film’s July 11, 2025 release, expectations are not only high — they’re skybound. And if this teaser is any indication, Gunn’s Superman won’t just relaunch the DC Universe. It might just redefine how we see the Man of Steel.
