The new trailer for James Gunn’s Superman movie, set to release on July 11, 2025, dropped last week, giving fans plenty to discuss and dissect. Yet, surprisingly, there’s one detail the trailer revealed that no one seems to be talking about, despite it teasing the return of one of the Man of Steel’s most underrated "powers" in live-action.
The latest trailer for James Gunn’s Superman delivered a thrilling three-minute showcase filled with explosive action, a chilling monologue from Lex Luthor, and exciting glimpses of the ing heroes. Among all the high-stakes moments, one scene in particular stood out: an exchange between Lois Lane and Clark Kent.
In it, Clark offers Lois an interview as Superman, and fans get to witness a subtle yet powerful transformation as he shifts from his mild-mannered persona into the Man of Steel. This moment serves as a striking reminder of one of Superman’s most underrated superpowers: his prowess in deception and disguise.
Why Superman’s Deception Ability Is as Much a Superpower as His Super Strength
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While “disguise and deception” may not be listed on Superman’s wiki page among his most notable superpowers, such as his character-defining strength, heat vision, and flight, there is no denying that Clark has shown an uncanny aptitude for deception that rises to a superhuman level. This is especially clear when considering how well he has maintained his long-held secret identity. Though often mocked by critics for relying on glasses and oversized suits for his disguise, that’s merely surface-level. The real disguise is in his mannerisms; how he moves, how he speaks, and the subtle ways he transforms himself into someone the world would never suspect is Superman.
The Man of Steel’s transformation between Clark Kent and Superman is perhaps most clearly seen in Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of the character. Reeve masterfully captured the shift through subtle but powerful tone, inflection, speech patterns, and posture changes. Even in comics, where sound is absent, these differences are still communicated effectively. Writers use punctuation and word choice to reflect the contrast in confidence between Clark and Superman. This ability to switch personas is not just a storytelling tool. It is an essential part of who Superman is and deserves to be seen as just as important as his more traditional superpowers.
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How James Gunn's Superman Trailer Honors Clark Kent's Most Underrated Power
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With the Man of Steel’s persona shift being such a quintessential part of his character in both comics and film, it’s great to see that James Gunn is honoring this underrated aspect by highlighting it in the movie. While the trailer only offered fans a brief glimpse of the persona shift, Corenswet executed it masterfully. His performance made it unmistakable when the mild-mannered Clark Kent transformed into the confident and commanding presence of Superman. This shift occurs when Lois sets her tape recorder rolling for the interview, prompting an immediate change in both Corenswet’s voice and posture.
As the Superman persona takes over, his voice lowers and his stance becomes noticeably straighter and more assured. In that moment, fans of Christopher Reeve’s Superman may have felt a wave of nostalgia, as Reeve also used similar visual and vocal cues to signal the transition between Clark and Superman, without any need for a costume change. Since this trailer is clearly just a teaser, there will likely be many more moments that highlight these shifts and reinforce how essential they are to Superman’s character.
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Why David Corenswet Already Feels Like the Right Choice for Superman
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Given that Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman remains a fan favorite, with a devoted following still disappointed by his departure, Corenswet undoubtedly has big shoes to fill. Many have voiced doubts about whether he can ever sur Cavill’s performance. However, the small details in Corenswet’s acting, such as his vocal and posture shifts between Clark and Superman, suggest that he is on the right path to delivering an incredible Man of Steel. While only time will tell if Corenswet can truly win over fans, the glimpses of his performance already indicate that he is poised to become a phenomenal Superman.
