The official trailer for Superman in May 2025, providing audiences with what is presumably the last extended look at the first true movie installment of the DC Universe.
In the trailer, several elements of the villains of Superman, the trailer provided the best look yet at what is set to be the DCU's first step. Where those villains are concerned, Superman's trailer gave more hints at Lex Luthor's plan, including the reveal of how Kal-El's archenemy will gain access to the latter's biggest weakness, allowing me to form a theory of how the former can exploit this.
Superman's Trailer Appears To Show Metamorpho Creating Kryptonite
The Interesting Character Will Play A More Vital Role Than First Thought
The trailer for Superman showcased a lot of the heroes that will play a part in the film, as well as its villains. Aside from the likes of Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific, perhaps the most intriguing - and least highlighted - DC hero in Superman is Metamorpho. Played by Anthony Carrigan in Superman's ensemble cast, Metamorpho is a reluctant hero named Rex Mason who unwittingly receives the power to transmute his body into any chemical, as shown in the trailer.
6 DC Superheroes About To Appear On The Big Screen For The First Time In Superman
Superman will launch the DC Universe, and it features a large roster of superheroes, many of whom have never made it to the big screen before.
Interestingly, one shot in Superman's official trailer shows Metamorpho in prison alongside Superman. When looking at Metamorpho's left arm, it is glowing green. This indicates that Metamorpho is transmuting his body to create Kryptonite for Lex Luthor, explaining why the robots in the same scene are able to injure Kal-El.
Based On Superman's Trailer, I Think I Know How Lex Luthor Gets Unlimited Kryptonite
Linked To Metamorpho's DC Comics Stories
Stemming from this scene, I think I know how Lex Luthor will manipulate Metamorpho into creating Kryptonite. After all, this must be how the story plays out, given that Rex Mason is usually depicted as a good guy and an ally of DC's biggest heroes. In one shot in the trailer, specifically the one in which Superman is being attacked by the robots in the glass cell, a woman can be seen in the ading box. This could be Sapphire Stagg, another character from DC Comics who has strong links to Metamorpho.
In the comics, Metamorpho and Sapphire Stagg have a long-lasting relationship. It could be the case that Lex Luthor has kidnapped both Sapphire and Metamorpho, threatening the former with harm if the latter does not create Kryptonite and help to weaken Superman. This would explain why the usually benevolent Rex Mason would help Lex, all while allowing Superman's main enemy to obtain the means of injuring the Kryptonian hero.
Other Aspects Of Superman's Marketing This Metamorpho Theory
Metamorpho's Dark Story Looks More Likely Than Ever
What makes this theory all the more promising is the confirmation that the Stagg family will play a role in Superman. While casting news for these characters has not been unveiled, a shot from Superman's teaser trailer showed the titular hero in the lobby of Stagg Industries. In the comics, the owner of this company is Simon Stagg, the supervillainous father of Sapphire Stagg, whom he is intensely protective of. As a result, he hates Rex Mason and often tries to break up their relationship, even linking to Rex's origins as Metamorpho.
If Simon and Sapphire Stagg play a role in Superman, the former could make a deal with Lex Luthor that leads to the mastermind obtaining both of them, likely via betraying Simon. If this comes to , Lex would have a means of creating unlimited Kryptonite and a means of ensuring Metamorpho follows orders. This way, the battle between Lex Luthor and Superman would increase in scale as the two square off in the DCU for the first time.
Superman
- Release Date
- July 11, 2025
- Director
- James Gunn
- Writers
- James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster
- Producers
- Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran
- Franchise(s)
- DCU
Cast
Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El
Rachel BrosnahanLois Lane
Nicholas HoultLex Luthor
Edi GathegiMichael Holt / Mister Terrific
