The DC Universe soars to new heights with Superman.
On Wednesday, fans got a glimpse of a teaser that gives a glimpse into the world writer and director James Gunn created for his upcoming film. Superman – including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and her colleagues at the Daily Planet, the fictional newspaper where Lane and Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, work.
The teaser also shows the back of David Corenswet’s head as he flies through the air in his Superman suit.
This comes two days after writer and director James Gunn shared a striking movie poster featuring Corenswet as the Man of Steel soaring into the sky with the tagline: ‘Look up’. The poster is a subtle tribute to the 78s Supermanstarring Christopher Reeve, accompanied by a softer, reimagined version of John Williams’ theme.
Originally titled Superman: Legacythe film was later retitled Superman by Gunn and marks a pivotal moment in the DC universe as the first project from the redesigned DC Studios, now led by Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs.
Superman is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2025. While fans wait for the first trailer, here’s what you need to know about the upcoming film.
What we know about ‘Superman’
The film’s release date is July 11, 2025. The film’s first teaser trailer will drop on December 19 at 9 a.m. ET, Warner Bros. said.
After wrapping filming in July, Gunn shared on Instagram that the story is about a “good man in a world that isn’t always so much.”
In a February 2023 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Safran emphasized that the film is “not an origin story” but rather an exploration of Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, “balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.”
Who’s in it?
The film stars Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The cast includes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.
Meet the new Man of Steel
Corenswet began a physical transformation to play the Man of Steel. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Best known for his roles in Netflix The politician And Hollywoodas well as the blockbuster TwistersCorenswet is taking on his biggest role yet Superman. But long before he got the role, fans noticed his resemblance to Henry Cavill, who played Superman in previous film versions.
In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Corenswet said his “pie-in-the-sky ambition” was to play Superman. He gave his own take on the character, saying, “I like Henry Cavill’s dark and raw version, but I would like the next one to be very bright and optimistic.”
The casting of Corenswet and Broshnahan was announced in July 2023.
At New York Comic Con in October, Gunn had only positive things to say about his star.
“David Corenswet is going to blow people away. He is the movie star everyone dreams he could be. I don’t think anyone really understands the depth of this man’s talent dramatically and comedically. He’s the best physical action star I’ve probably ever worked with…,” he said.
Corenswet’s dedication so impressed Gunn that he called him “one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with,” telling the Hollywood Reporter in December that his performance is so good it will “freak everyone out” ‘.
The physical transformation of Corenswet
To prepare for the role, Corenswet underwent a dramatic physical transformation, weighing up to 238 pounds.
“I didn’t fit into any pants,” Corenswet said on the channel Manly Things (sort of) podcast in September. “It didn’t feel great because I did it so quickly that my body just hadn’t adapted to the extra weight and I was still trying to eat a lot.”
Growing up, Corenswet said he “didn’t quite have the physical presence that I wanted to have.” The role of Superman, he explained, was the perfect “excuse to actually gain some weight.”
Gunn’s vision and nod to the past
Gunn injected Superman with references to the 1978 classic starring Reeve – including the return of Superman’s red trunks, a staple of the Reeve era, and the hero’s comic book roots not used in recent depictions.
The movie poster also pays tribute through the use of Williams’ legendary score, reimagined with modern elements to balance nostalgia and a fresh perspective. For the director, Superman’s story is personal.
“I can totally relate to Superman because he is everything that I am,” Gunn told the Hollywood Reporter in April. “He’s someone who’s an outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate insider because he’s fucking Superman. And that’s kind of how I feel.”
What the cast says
Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, told Variety earlier this year that she “always loved the character,” describing her as “smart,” “ambitious” and someone who “often knows she’s the smartest person in the room.”
Rachel Brosnahan will be playing Lois Lane for the foreseeable future Superman restart. (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
As for Hoult, who plays Lex Luthor, he described the character as “imposing and dangerous” and told the Hollywood Reporter that Gunn “pushed me in exciting ways.” He told Entertainment Tonight: “I’m really excited for people to see David’s take on Superman too, because he’s brilliant.”
Fillion, who plays Green Lantern, praised Gunn’s reverence for the original Superman theme in an Instagram post, writing that the movie poster “brings back incredible memories for me, and brand new, exciting feelings at the same time.”
Merced, who plays Hawkgirl, told podcast host Josh Horowitz that “the whole movie is very loyal to comic books, but with a James Gunn twist,” calling it “smart” and “heartwarming.”
Why the movie matters
Superman is more than just a reboot – it’s a litmus test for the future of the DCU.
After the critical and financial woes of recent DC films such as Black Adam And The flashGunn’s film aims to return the character to his roots while carving a path forward for the DC cinematic universe.
Update, December 18, 2024: This story was originally published on December 16, 2024 and has been updated with new information.
