James Gunn's Superman story, many are hoping the DCU will get off to a promising, hopeful start.
As it turns out, Superman's ensemble cast to the other superheroes and villains of the universe and the lovable animal companion of the Man of Steel.
15 Why Superman Is Bloody And Beaten Up
Superman's Greatest Enemy Is Established
Intriguingly, Superman's trailer opens with the titular character crashing into the snow. He is shown beaten, bloodied, and dejected, calling to his aforementioned animal companion for help. Naturally, the biggest question is what caused Superman to be placed in such a vulnerable position.
The answer to this cannot be anything other than Lex Luthor. Luthor is the iconic arch-nemesis of Superman from DC Comics and was confirmed to be part of the DCU movie before anyone else other than the titular character. Nicholas Hoult was cast as Lex, with the Superman trailer debuting the first official look at the character. It is highly likely that this scene from the opening of the Superman trailer comes after a clash between Superman and Lex, the latter of whom has been confirmed to loathe the former entirely by director James Gunn.
14 Clark Kent's Human Persona And Life Are Revealed
The Human Is Just As Important As The Superhuman
Thankfully, the Superman trailer highlights elements of Superman's civilian life as Clark Kent. Gunn has made it no secret that he understands how important the life of Clark and the people around him are to the overall story of Superman, with Superman's trailer making that easily evident. The trailer shows David Corenswet as Clark Kent, entering the Daily Planet as his bumbling personality shines through. This is followed by shared looks between Clark and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, hinting at their central relationship.
Later, Clark is shown sitting next to Jonathan Kent, his adoptive father, at the Kent family farm. This is a vastly important part of Clark's life, and it is a relief that Superman is showing this just as much as it is highlighting his otherworldly strength, speed, and power. Not only is this important to the proper depiction of the iconic hero, but it proves that Superman will have a strong emotional core thanks to Clark's family and friends.
13 Superman's Jonathan Kent Scene May Be A Flashback
What Becomes Of Jonathan Kent In The Present?
An interesting thing to note in the scene involving Clark and his father, Jonathan, in the Superman trailer is that it looks to be a flashback. Coresnwet's Clark is sporting a different haircut in this scene, and there is nothing showing Jonathan taking part in the present-day storyline of the film. This could mean that all scenes on the Kent farm are shown as flashbacks in Superman.
12 Superman Shows Lois Lane Having A Connection With Both Clark & Superman
Does Lois Lane Know Clark's Big Secret?
A common trope of superhero movies, especially those based on the Golden Age of comic books, is secret identities and the trouble they bring to relationships. The Superman trailer hints that this is also part of the DCU film, with Lois Lane kissing both Clark and Superman at different points. This hints that Lois either finds out Clark is Superman at some point in the movie or confirms that she already knows his secret identity at the onset of the film.
11 Krypto The Superdog's Powers Explained
Kal-El Was Not The Only Exile From Krypton
One of the more exciting reveals about Superman before the trailer's release was the inclusion of Krypto the Superdog. The trailer for SUperman debuts the character, who runs swiftly to Clark's aid as soon as he is called. Krypto is shown taking a wounder Superman home, running across the ice at supersonic speed to help his best friend. Beyond this, Superman will likely debut Krypto's other powers, from his ability to fly to his strength, durability, laser vision, and super-breath.
10 All DC Villains In The Superman Trailer Explained
Luthor Is Just The Tip Of The Iceberg
Although Lex Luthor is undoubtedly the main villainous reveal in Superman's teaser trailer, several other antagonists make appearances. One of these is likely linked to Lex and was first highlighted in the first official look at Corenswet's Superman released by James Gunn earlier in 2024. This comes in the form of a giant eye-like machine floating above Metropolis, shooting a laser towards the ground. This machine is spotted several times in Superman's trailer and will likely be something Kal-El has to stop at some point in the film.
Beyond that, there is a kaiju in Superman's teaser trailer. The kaiju looks akin to a giant worm and can breathe fire, with Superman shown to endure the breath before flying upwards towards the sun. Evidently, Lex Luthor is not the only villainous presence Superman will have to contend with in the 2025 movie.
9 Who Is Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner? Superman's Green Lantern Explained
The Introduction To The Green Lanterns Is Here
As has long been known, Superman is not the only hero who is set to appear in the movie. Nathan Fillion was cast in Superman as another hero of the DCU and makes his debut in the film's teaser trailer. Fillion is playing a Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, in the movie and will offer an introduction to the space police force ahead of the Lanterns TV show set to debut in 2026.
Lanterns: Cast, Story, & Everything We Know About The New Green Lanterns TV Series
With James Gunn announcing that he is working on a TV series following Hal Jordan and John Stewart, here's everything you need to know about Lanterns.
ittedly, there is not much to go on regarding Guy Gardner in Superman's trailer. All that is shown of him is a brief moment in which he uses the power of a Green Lantern ring to shoot a beam of light at a group of people shouting at Superman. As such, more can be expected to be shown of Nathan Fillion as more marketing for Superman is released in 2025.
8 Who Is Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl In Superman? DC Comics Powers Explained
The Regular Justice League Hero Is Part Of The DCU
Another of the ing heroes as part of Superman's story is Hawkgirl. Hawkgirl is played by Isabela Merced and can be spotted in Superman's trailer in full action, unlike Fillion's Green Lantern. Hawkgirl can be seen flying through the air in Superman, raising her iconic mace above her head as she seemingly fights off an enemy. Hawkgirl is a regular part of the Justice League in DC Comics, meaning Superman could potentially leave her off for more adventures going forward.
7 Who Is Edi Gathegi's Mr. Terrific In Superman?
Edi Gathegi's Mr. Terrific is another of the heroes cast alongside David Corenswet as Superman. Mr. Terrific can be seen battling Superman at one point in the film's trailer, showing how the story will outline the differences between the DCU's different heroes. Later in the trailer, Mr. Terrific's robotic T-Spheres are shown shielding him from unfriendly fire. These T-Spheres are the primary way Mr. Terrific fights his enemies, given the character's nature as a genius-level inventor.
6 Who Is The Old Alien Character In Superman's Trailer? Anthony Carrigan's Metamorpho Explained
An Obscure DC Hero
At one point in the Superman trailer, an old, wrinkly, alien-like character is shown. This character is undoubtedly Metamorpho, one of the final DC heroes confirmed to have a role in the film outside of Superman himself. Metamorpho is a man whose body was altered, allowing him to transmute it into a wide variety of chemical compounds. While little else is known about his role in Superman specifically, the trailer at least shows the unique physicality he possesses.
