The first trailer for James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman reboot has been released, generating excitement for its July 11, 2025 release, but also sparking backlash from fans over the decision to replace Henry Cavill as the iconic hero.
David Corenswet steps into the role of the Man of Steel in this film, which aims to kick-start a new chapter for DC Studios under Gunn and producer Peter Safran, who assumed control in 2022.
The trailer opens with Superman crashing into a frozen landscape, only to be revived by Krypto the Superdog, a character poised to win fans’ affection. It also introduces Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as a bald, menacing Lex Luthor.
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Corenswet, 31, known for roles in The Politician, Hollywood, and We Own This City, is the fourth actor to portray Superman in a major film and the first in over a decade. However, his casting follows the controversial decision to move on from Cavill, who had announced his return to the role in 2022 before Gunn and Safran opted for a fresh start.
The decision to replace Cavill has been met with significant criticism, with many fans taking to social media to express frustration and disappointment. Some feel Cavill was treated unfairly and have called for him to complete his Superman arc. Despite this, the trailer showcases Corenswet’s take on the character, featuring scenes of him saving a girl from an explosion, breaking out of a glass cabinet, sharing a mid-air kiss with Lois, and enduring hostility from an angry crowd while entering the Stagg Industries building.
Other characters introduced include Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific.
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While the trailer has received praise from some fans for its visuals and action, the backlash over Cavill’s absence has overshadowed its release. The controversy comes at a critical moment for Hollywood, as the industry contends with “superhero fatigue” and struggles to revive audience enthusiasm for big-budget blockbusters.
DC Studios, in particular, has faced challenges, with recent films like Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Joker: Folie à Deux underperforming at the box office. Similarly, Sony’s latest Spider-Man spinoff, Kraven the Hunter, opened to a disappointing $11 million, marking another low point in the genre.