Will Mohr Breaks Down That Iconic Superman Trailer

Ever since the first teaser for James Gunn’s Superman made first contact with audiences back in December of 2024 across the world, hype soared through the roof. It quickly became the most viewed teaser trailer on the Warner Bros and DC Comics Youtube channel, at a staggering 250 million views and counting. And now, after six months of small merchandise reveals, hints and teases from the cast, and an eye opening behind the scenes preview, we can now finally lay eyes on the first official trailer for Superman. Hold onto your trunks folks, because we’re about to take off into the world of the DCU and explore what makes this new Superman film soar to new heights. 

One of the many challenges when adapting characters in the Superman universe right, is making sure that Lois Lane is the note-taking, truth seeking, purple wearing, sometimes tommy gun firing powerhouse that she is. There’s been many times where Lois is just diluted into just a damsel in distress, or just there to appease the male audience. Lois, played here by Rachel Brosnahan, demonstrates her ability to go from a supportive and kind partner to Clark, to the determined and daring reporter that we all know and love. Her realist mindset pairs beautifully with Corenswet’s idealism as Supes, as you can immediately tell why these two opposites attract. The very first scene we get in the trailer is of Lois in disbelief that he’d let her interview him as the courageous yet controversial Superman. Clark doubles down in a chipper tone that he’d be more than happy to do so. Fans were unsure as to how and when exactly Clark would drop the geeky glasses wearing guise, but it seems as though she’s known for a while now, whether that was through Lois’s super snooping, or through the shirt tearing routine that we often see in most media. Even though the trailer is taken up mostly by the other characters in the film, Rachel’s performance as Lois shines through, with her fearlessness when asking Superman about him intervening in war overseas. James Gunn chose a very interesting perspective of having Lois remain fully in her professional mindset, with her being able to separate her personal ties and focus solely on her role as a journalist.

If I didn’t talk about the title character here, I’d look as silly as a lion-headed Superman (that actually happened). Something that myself and millions of others out there love about the character of Superman, is his seemingly bottomless level of empathy and compassion for others, even his own enemies. And while he may wrestle with morality and be sometimes tempted to take the easy way out, he always tries his best to find the best path forward, even if it means forging his own. The DCUs Superman seems to be taking that direction, as he’s “somehow become the focal point of the entire world’s conversation” as said by Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. His actions in a foreign conflict has made him a threat to the US government. While the world sees this as either a publicity stunt or an example of unchecked power, Superman’s reasoning is quite simple; “People were going to die”.

While Superman has fought in a number of wars, both on earth and in space, this particular plot point might remind eagle eyed fans of Issue #2 of Action Comics in which Superman puts a stop to a war in Europe, where he zooms in, grabs each leader of their respective countries, and tries to make them workout their differences, only to find out they don’t actually know why they are fighting, and the sole purpose being to sell munitions. The film probably won’t follow that storyline beat by beat, but it’s easy to see the similarities and attention to detail James Gunn and co have put into this film. This isn’t the only heroic act seen in the trailer however, as we see multiple shots of Superman diving in to save civilians in the crossfire of freak accidents and Kaiju chaos. Of course, selfless actions don’t always equal praise, as we not only see him get ridiculed and booed by hundreds in the streets, bashed upside the head by one of Luthor’s lackeys in a cell, getting taken into custody by Ultra Man, and also gets his head smashed into the pavement by him as well. David Corenswet’s performance as Superman really grounds the character and puts more emphasis on the man in Superman. He can be hurt, he can get upset, he can get tired, he can be funny, and can be serious all at the same time. In an article by Subculture Entertainment, By David Griffith, James Gunn explains the two big must’s he told David when he got the legendary role. “you have to work on two things – you have to work on your shoulders and you have to work on your vulnerability.” It seems as though David has followed that to a T, both getting in superhuman shape and giving this iteration of Kal-El the sensitivity needed to embody the Man of Tomorrow. 

Followers of James Gunn on social media might have heard about his love for the Richard Donner Superman film from 1978, and who could blame him? That film has been beloved not only by comic fans, but also cherished by the film community for its groundbreaking special effects, engrossing score, and of course, the magnetic performance of the late, great Christopher Reeve. James’ love for that film is noticeable in his marketing for the film, as he not only uses a revamp of John Williams iconic theme, but also uses the same opening credits effect in the trailer. Every Superman fan could tell you how mesmerizing that opening title sequence is, from the space backdrop to the sound of the words on screen whooshing by. If you pay close attention to the breaks in between each scene, James uses the same technique, as a poignant tribute to the film that inspired him. 

A hero can only be as good as their villain. Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, steals the show in the Superman Trailer just as the character steals forty cakes from a bake sale. Hoult is known for his larger than life, often fragile characters that can either make audiences empathize with, laugh at, or fear. In every scene given, Lex oozes ego, malice, and an insatiable need for attention. Whether he’s screaming his lungs out into the camera, drinking from his mug smugly at an irritated Superman, or just him trying to utter the word “Superman”, Hoult’s next level acting will bring this character right off the pages of Action Comics. Although one shot was seen briefly in the trailer, the scene in which Superman angrily tosses his disgustingly lavish desk across the room shattering the glass, while Lex sits unphased by this act of aggression, gives audiences an idea of how methodical and twisted this version of Metropolis’s madman can be. His self satisfied glare at Superman, already coming to the conclusion that his aspirational and moralistic attitude is all but a charade, is incredibly loyal to who and what the character has been.

If it wasn’t for the Kents, our boy Clark might’ve been a very different guy. In most live action media of our favorite kryptonian caretakers, they usually haven’t had much of a physical presence in Clark’s life as an adult, usually their screen time being cut short by either on or off screen deaths, vanishing from the plot, or to help two orphans bond over their mother’s first name. This time around, it seems as though both Martha and Johnathan Kent will be active in Clark’s life. The narration given by Pa Kent, played by Pruitt John Vince, is without a doubt perfectly embodies the teachings both Martha and Johnathan instilled into him and also leaves audiences feeling both inspired and emotionally moved. “Your choices. Your actions. That’s what makes you who you are”. Fans speculated from the first teaser trailer that judging from the somber mood of seeing Clark and Johnathan embracing each other on the front porch of the Kent Farm, that there was the possibility that Martha’s passing might be a key plot point in Clark’s journey. But after seeing Neva Howell’s Martha making an appearance in the trailer, telling Clark that his boots are gussied up and ready for action, we can safely assume that she is here to stay. Knowing James’ work in the past, he always gives a strong emphasis on the importance of parental relationships, both paternal and maternal, and how that shapes us as who we are now, and who we may become in the future, so we’ll certainly get plenty of wholesome and pivotal scenes between Clark and the people who helped him become the hero he is today. 

Speaking of heroes, Superman isn’t the only figure flying through the sky, as the Justice gang is also on the scene as well. As the marketing has shown, this merry band of metahumans is comprised of Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and lastly, Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion). Our first full look at the gang all together is a beautiful shot of them hovering above Metropolis with a golden hour aesthetic with Guy looking proud (as usual), Hawkgirl looking like she’s itching for a fight, and Mr. Terrific, ever so calm in his levitating lounge chair (where does he get all those wonderful toys?). It seems as though Mr. Metamorho might be the outlier of the group, as we never see him paired up with the others. Much like Ben Grimm from the Fantastic Four, while he’s a man of integrity and has helped save countless lives, his unique and otherworldly appearance causes those to shriek in fear and treat him as a monster.

As the trailer ramps up, we see more action shots of the team dispensing justice on evil doers, with Guy Gardner brushing off artillery fire and armed soldiers with a gigantic green hand projection, Hawkgirl crashing through a glass window with a random person in tow, (most likely had it coming), and Metamorpho in his cell using his powers to concoct something to help him on his mission.  Although not related, another shot that stuck out to me is a fleeting moment that happens in a fraction of a second in which we see a battle in some darkly lit pocket dimension where Ultraman is blasting heat vision at Superman as he weaves around it midair, giving us a little peek at the wild and Top Gun inspired flight sequences. Seeing the dynamic between a team of government issued superheroes put together by Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) and a man willing to fight for everyone, will be a fascinating look into how Superman will redefine what a superhero can be, both within the world of DC and the world just outside our window.

Every generation will always have their heroes, and this July, people who’ve never seen a Superman movie before and kids who are just learning about big blue will be able to see the beginning of a brand new universe. What Richard Donner’s Superman might have been for you, will be the same for the next generation of fans.  I don’t know about you, but I think things are really looking up. 

You can watch the full Superman Trailer here: