James Gunn’s Superman Looks Like the DC Reboot Fans Needed

Superman marks DC Studios’ first new entry into the franchise and what appears to be a new direction from the studio as it embarks on a new, more expansive chapter in its cinematic universe. Warner Bros. will release the James Gunn-directed reboot of the classic superhero in July. Months of teasing, followed by the recent release of a first full trailer, have left fans with more than enough hype for the big day. This Superman is an entirely rebooted take, starring a new Clark Kent (actor David Corenswet), a take-no-shit Lois Lane, a host of other DC characters and heroes and villains, and a superdog for… well, doggone it.

All Fly, No Folly

First and foremost, Gunn has made it clear that the film is not an origin story in the traditional sense. Superman is instead concerned with the internal process of Clark Kent’s identity. Balancing his Kryptonian royal upbringing with his more low-key “adopted” life growing up in a Kansas farm town, the focus of the movie is on the emotional journey of Superman himself and Clark Kent’s determination to figure out where he truly belongs.

The eponymous character is portrayed by Pearl and Hollywood alum David Corenswet. At 25 years old, his Clark is less the wide-eyed kid we’ve seen come before and more of a grizzled veteran. The dichotomy of his dual identity as Clark Kent, the mild-mannered reporter, and Superman will be an intriguing focal point of his story, especially in his chemistry with Lois.

Speaking of Lois, Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) is joining the cast in the role of the DC comic’s equally sharp and dogged journalist. The trailer opens with Lois mid-interview. Her focus: an actor’s idea of Superman. Played by Clark Kent, of course. As the quick banter and pointed wit are traded between the two, some might say Lois is giving it right back to him, much like an old flirtatious dance. But has she figured out Clark’s identity? From the trailer, fans have pointed to a variety of “proofs” that Lois has it figured out. Others—like this one, apparently—suspect it has not happened. What’s clear to me, at least, is that the actors’ faces in the scene—and subsequent moments between the two—give more credence to Lois not being on the inside yet. This will be a wild, fun train wreck of a relationship, and it’s safe to say it is front and center in the focus of the film.

Lex Luthor is also not forgotten in this reboot, with Nicolas Hoult in the high-profile, attention-grabbing role of the infamous Superman villain. As his movie introduction would suggest, Hoult leans into Lex’s expected hubris and relishes in malevolent one-upmanship over Superman at every turn. He is also afforded help, in the form of a brace of his usual henchmen—Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio) and Otis (Terence Rosemore).

Krypto the Superdog is the Breakfast of Champions

What to say about Superman’s yellow boy, other than wow? (You’ve got to watch the trailer, even if you’re not planning to go see the movie. It’s worth it.) Krypto has long been one of the comics’ lovable ancillary characters, and he has all the makings to be a big standout in this movie, too. Fans first got a taste of the venerable pooch during last December’s teaser, as his heroic sensibilities sent him dragging a severely wounded Superman back to the Fortress of Solitude.

Since that early reveal, hype around Krypto has been steadily growing. In the new trailer, the loyal white dog’s comic credentials are certainly not being wasted: We see him charging full force, paw-to-toe, into Lex Luthor and a high-tech enemy. Meet Angela Spica, aka The Engineer, a.k.a the brand new WMD clad in black spandex with deadly rotating blades in her feet. Played by Maria Gabriela de Faria, Angela was first introduced to the comics in 2008 and is known for having a top-secret government corporation use her nanotechnologically enhanced abilities against her will.

A Kaiju-Size Cinematic Universe

Say what you will about caped vigilantes in spandex, these movies know how to flex when it comes to spectacular CGI. Big-budget action aside, this trailer was not short on star power. The top-billed names and comic book mainstays are in, as fans are finally shown a new version of Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion, complete with bowl cut), the shapeshifting elemental master Rex Mason/Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), the winged warrior Isis (a.k.a. Hawkgirl), played by Isabela Merced, and the similarly powered Michael Holt/Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi).

To round out the rogues gallery of DC superstars, Milly Alcock is playing Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl. Given the prominence of other family members in the story and on screen, this will likely not be the last we see of her or other family dynamics either. Joining her, rounding out the family of the Kent household are Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell as Clark’s adopted Kansas parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Wrapping up a smattering of fan service and on-point casting is Frank Grillo reprising his role as Rick Flag Sr. from the animated series Creature Commandos and Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord. With DCU films past in the rearview, Gunn has the helm to take the series in whatever direction he’d like.

Heart and Heroes

While the trailer is indeed full of amazing action sequences and jaw-dropping heroics, from Superman soaring over rooftops to far-off galaxies (with a few shots of kaiju in between), I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least point out the compelling balance between the characters and the screen-filling heroics that punctuate the scenes. Some moments hammer the grounding sense of connection between the characters, giving a weight to Superman’s moral obligations and the high-stakes choices he is forced to make, good or bad. One scene in particular stands out for Clark’s aversion of perspective. Pressed by Lois about his decisions and their perception by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Clark is rattled out of his prepared statement into fervor, insisting, “People were going to die!”

After the intensity and the big action set pieces, one other moment in the trailer stands out for me as equally impactful and quietly beautiful. Superman lies on his bed, both arms resting on either side of his head, a hint of a smile playing at his lips as he rests. Krypto, his super-dog, is asleep, a doggy smile spread across his face, curled against Superman’s chest. For a trailer crammed with spectacle and full-tilt fan service, this moment, quiet as it is, is what I think Gunn has managed to capture in his epic tale: a sense of connection.