The first official trailer for Superman revealed a LOT about James Gunn’s new DC Universe movie. We got our first look at David Corenswet in action, both as Superman, and Clark Kent. Heroes like Mister Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawk Girl, flew into action. And, Krypto the Wonder Dog even played a large role, saving a bloodied Superman and dragging him to the Fortress of Solitude. As well as the incredible looking heroes, fans also got to see Nicholas Hoult’s super-terrifying, super-bald, Lex Luthor. According to the actor, his version of the character will have to be absolutely “ruthless” to get the better of Superman.
During the Superman trailer premiere event (via ComicBook.com), Hoult spoke about his version of Lex Luthor in Superman. While Superman has Kryptonian blood that gives him his powers under the Earth’s sun, Lex Luthor has to rely on brains over brawn to outsmart the Man of Steel. “I think with this Lex, I mean, obviously he’s smart and ruthless, and he has to outmaneuver Superman on certain levels because he can’t match him in others,” Hoult said. The actor said that, despite how “ruthless” Luthor may be in Superman, there is still a sympathetic layer that audiences will connect with. Hoult explained:

“But there’s also something about this character, hopefully from my standpoint, where even though you perhaps don’t agree with his process, there’s an element where you can understand on some levels where he’s coming from and why perhaps what he’s pushing as his ideology is perhaps better for humanity.”

Who Is ‘Superman’s Main Villain?

Nicholas Hoult is also incredibly excited for audiences to see James Gunn’s version of Lex Luthor. The iconic Superman villain has been played by Jessie Eisenberg, Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and many more in the past. But, Hoult said James Gunn’s script brings out the “emotionally raw and powerful” side of the character. He said:

“The thing about this Lex, I think that was most exciting to me was being in a James Gunn universe. Like you said, so emotionally raw and powerful, but huge in the scope of the world and what he’s creating.”

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Superman’s trailer has been live for less than 24 hours, and it’s already a smash-hit, accumulating over 22 million views in that time, and counting. Even with all the new characters unveiled in the trailer, fans are still left wondering who the main villain will be. We see Lex Luthor in multiple shots, and even see the Man of Steel go toe-to-toe with Maria Gabriela de Faria’s Engineer. But, are they responsible for leaving Clark Kent bloodied in the snow?
The trailer also teased a giant monster flying over Metropolis as Clark Kent dons his Superman suit, standing next to Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. The giant creature’s identity hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. The consensus from the fan base has narrowed it down to being the Sun Eater from the All-Star Superman run of comics. After all, that is the comic book story line James Gunn’s Superman is most inspired by.

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Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.’ rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”

Release Date

July 11, 2025

Cast

David Corenswet
, Rachel Brosnahan
, María Gabriela De Faría
, Edi Gathegi
, Nicholas Hoult
, Frank Grillo
, Nathan Fillion
, Milly Alcock
, Sara Sampaio
, Pruitt Taylor Vince
, Skyler Gisondo
, Anthony Carrigan
, Wendell Pierce
, Beck Bennett
, Sean Gunn

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