The much-anticipated teaser trailer for the new Superman film, crafted by the talented James Gunn, has finally dropped and, unsurprisingly, everyone has something to say about it. The online chatter is buzzing, with opinions swinging from enthusiastic thumbs up to skeptical frowns.
From where I stand, this initial glimpse of the movie feels rather timeless and inspiring. Intriguingly, it holds back on spilling the beans about the plot or character arcs—quite a rare move these days. But, don’t worry, we’re expecting the upcoming promos to lay it all out and give us a clear picture of the narrative and its players. This teaser is exactly what fans needed, especially given its hopeful tone that contrasts sharply with the darker, now-defunct DCEU vision for Superman.
Let’s talk about the praise first. It’s no shocker that the majority of fans online are cheering after this first preview. Gunn has built a reservoir of trust over the years, thanks to his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy series, The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos. Even when tackling darker stories, he manages to wrap things up with a note of hopefulness. This new take on Superman seems to be following that path, proving to be a fresh canvas for Gunn, who, alongside Peter Safran, is now steering the DC franchise.
A particularly excited Twitter user, ClarkQuill97, exclaimed, “This is straight up a comic book come to life. Superman nation, we won.” It’s pretty clear that this superfan had high hopes and, so far, they’re delighted. Meanwhile, Rachel Brosnahan’s portrayal of Lois Lane is already winning over hearts after just one trailer.
PridefulSin, a dedicated comic book fan account, is sold on the movie due to its emphasis on Superman actually saving and inspiring people – exactly the kind of endorsement the filmmakers likely hoped for. Dan Veesenmeyer, an illustrator, confidently predicts, “Krypto is gonna put asses in seats.” It’s hard to disagree; the audience loves a heroic pup. Gaming enthusiast Ultima echoed the sentiment, saying, “I have got the biggest smile on my face right now,” underscoring the excitement for Krypto’s role.
On the film critics’ front, many are happy to see Superman portrayed as a classic good guy rather than an enigmatic outsider. While I did appreciate Zack Snyder’s approach, I think this cheerful, straightforward representation was overdue. The famous account ‘Out of Context Simpsons Couch Gags’ even remarked, “Oh, so this is an actual Superman movie and not an edgy mess.”
Not everyone is on board with this light-hearted vision, though. Some critics are concerned that a few scenes feel a bit too much like television rather than cinematic spectacle. Understandably, the film’s still in post-production, so this might improve. ComicAccuracy shared a tempered view, stating, “I’m not going to be an idiot and claim it looks like a ‘fake movie’ but this is not matching the quality level I was expecting.”
Eric Italiano from BroBible touched on a similar concern, being apprehensive about the aesthetics despite being on board with the film’s tone.
Others haven’t been quite so generous. For instance, one Twitter user criticized it for feeling childish, even likening it to something for very young audiences. They were less than impressed with the acting, visuals, and overall feel.
By now, it’s obvious that fans are split. Some are vibing with this cheerful take, while others miss the ‘SnyderVerse’ or yearn for a more mature spin on Superman. The beauty of comics lies in their adaptability—characters like Superman evolve and thrive under countless interpretations. Gunn’s new take might be nodding to the Silver Age, but who knows how it could evolve if the DCU thrives?
Love it or not, one thing is sure: Krypto’s charm might just draw in the crowds, and let’s all hope he stays safe from Lex Luthor’s schemes. The rest remains a mystery until the film hits theaters on July 11, 2025.
