The first look at James Gunn’s new take on the Man of Steel. On Thursday, Warner Bros. released the first teaser for Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman film starring David Corenswet, and the footage did not hold back on introducing us to a world packed with DC heroes. Between a cameo-packed reel and a brighter color palette that’s in contrast to previous Superman films, this trailer feels like a throwback to the animated Justice League Unlimited era.
One of the first things fans will notice is an overly colorful Metropolis. Where Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” leaned into moody grays and muted tones, this new trailer bathes its scenes in bright contrasts and saturated hues. Some online commentators have grumbled that the hyper-saturated aesthetic makes it look more like a polished TV show than a big-screen epic. Others, though, are praising the lighter, more playful visual style, arguing that Superman is the embodiment of hope and deserves a world that doesn’t shy away from a little sunshine.
In addition to the new look, the teaser sets the stage for a DC Universe that’s already populated by a host of legendary heroes. We see Nathan Fillion as the bowl-cut Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced’s soaring Hawkgirl looking classically comic-accurate with her helmet and wings, and Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific sporting his signature T-mask, possibly shielding Superman with the help of his advanced T-spheres. And in the building where Guy Gardener and Hawkgirl approach Superman, it sure feels suspiciously like the Hall of Justice, teasing a larger league of heroes working together in this new cinematic world.
Of course, the ultimate scene-stealer is none other than Krypto, Superman’s super-powered canine companion. In the footage, a wounded and exhausted Superman whistles for help, and Krypto, complete with a miniature red cape, rushes to his rescue. But Gunn warns us not to be fooled by appearances. While Krypto may look like a “good boy” in the trailer, the director hints at a more complicated relationship between the Kryptonian and his best friend. Inspired by Gunn’s own rescue dog, Ozu, Krypto isn’t just there for cute moments; he may add some unexpected twists to Superman’s story.
We also get a fuller glimpse of Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, a star reporter determined to thrive in a digital age that’s not always kind to print journalism. She appears alongside Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, and we see them in both tender and tense moments, including a steamy makeout session and an emotional hug in Clark’s full Superman suit. Whether Lois knows his secret or not remains to be seen, but their chemistry suggests the pair will be central to each other’s evolving identities.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor makes an appearance. He’s armed with a gun, his bald head gleaming, looking furious as he plots how to outmaneuver Superman. Hoult teased that while Lex’s methods are questionable, there’s a logic to his ideology that at least on some level might make sense.
The trailer also name-drops Boravia, a fictional European nation from the comics, hinting at international conflicts that might draw the Man of Steel into larger global affairs. Combine that with glimpses of what appear to be giant monsters (kaiju, as Gunn calls them) and an Earth-based Justice League, and we’re possibly looking at something much bigger in the making.
Predictably, the shift in color grading has sparked heated debates online. Some fans can’t stand the brighter, more saturated look. Others are relieved to step away from the grim desaturation that defined earlier cinematic outings. This kind of online back and forth comes with the territory these days.
As for who landed that devastating blow, leaving Superman bloodied in the snow? That remains one of the teaser’s biggest mysteries. We see someone in a black suit attacking him on a baseball field, and that same foe might be behind the bruises that sent Clark calling for Krypto’s help.
It’s clear that Gunn isn’t trying to repeat what’s come before. He’s making his own mark on the DCU. With months of post-production still ahead, there’s plenty of time for the visuals to evolve.
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