- Friday, April 04, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios and director of the much-anticipated Superman (2025), made headlines again this week by releasing new footage from the movie online—just hours before Disney and Marvel’s big presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.
The move appeared calculated, as Gunn’s surprise drop immediately stole attention away from Marvel, sparking buzz across fan forums and film circles. “Check out this Sneak Peek of #Superman, flying into theaters July 11,” Gunn wrote as he unveiled the fresh clip.
Earlier this week, attendees at CinemaCon got an exclusive extended look at Superman, which had already generated excitement with its December trailer. The footage put an emotional spotlight on Superman and his beloved dog, Krypto.
Check out this Sneak Peek of #Superman, flying into theaters July 11. pic.twitter.com/hqLYhFG0Ur
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 3, 2025
In the clip shown at the Warner Bros. session, Superman is seen crashing down to Earth, bloodied and battered, close to the Fortress of Solitude. He lets out a whistle, and in a heartwarming moment, Krypto leaps into the scene and drags the wounded hero into the fortress. Robots immediately rush in to help patch him up.
Much of the imagery from the December trailer was present, but with a more extended narrative. In one memorable moment, the Man of Steel playfully scolds Krypto for making a mess of the fortress in his absence, while the indifferent robots look on.
This blend of emotional storytelling and visual nostalgia seemed to strike a chord with the audience.
Speaking about the film and its themes before the footage was shown, James Gunn shared his initial hesitations and how the project grew on him over time.
“Back in 2018 I was first offered Superman and I was like ‘Oh my god, that seems so cool … it seems hard. And they said we also wanted you to do the Suicide Squad, and I took the easy way. It was an R-rated movie about a bunch of ragtag heroes,” Gunn recalled.
“But it stuck with me and it was a constant thought experiment in my mind. How can you take a character like that, perceived as old fashioned by many, so many permutations throughout the years … how can you do it for a modern audience? And one day it suddenly hit me in a burst, and I wanted to do a story that was utterly human, utterly fantastic,” he continued.
Gunn emphasized that the film isn’t just about flying heroes or epic fights. It’s rooted in something deeper: “This is a movie that celebrates kindness and human love. I want people to have that magical feeling when they come out of the movie and they love the person they came with a little more than when they went in.”
Gunn also revealed that the inspiration behind Krypto, Superman’s dog, came from his own late pet. “The flying dog, the giant Kiju, pocket universes, old things that were in the Max Fleischer cartoons. It took a long time to get there,” said Gunn, highlighting how classic Superman elements were reimagined for a new generation.
Actors David Corenswet (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) joined Gunn onstage during the session. Hoult had a moment of wonder while watching Corenswet fly across the set on wires.
“I’ve got this grin on my face. I turn around and everyone behind me has the same expression on their face,” Hoult said, describing the sheer movie magic of the shoot.
The new Superman film marks the first DC Studios theatrical release under co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran, and it’s being dubbed “the summer of Superman.” With the release date set for July 11, 2025, anticipation is high for what many hope will redefine the legacy of the iconic superhero.
As the footage continues to gain traction online, fans are praising the balance of modern storytelling, heartfelt moments, and callbacks to Superman’s rich cinematic and comic history.
