The upcoming Superman film directed by James Gunn is no doubt a summer blockbuster and possibly the most anticipated superhero film of the year. This movie carries the weight of the DC legacy on its shoulders. DC Studios is relying on this movie to reboot the iconic superhero and set the stage for a Superman for this decade. We’re all eager to see if the film delivers and lives up to the mammoth challenge of giving us a Superman that honors the character’s legacy while offering us something new to ignite excitement for the leading DC hero.
When Does James Gunn’s Superman Movie Come Out?
David Corenswet as Superman, Superman (2025), Image credit: DC Studios
Superman is scheduled to hit theaters in the U.S. on July 11, 2025, with some international releases starting on July 9. Shooting began in February 2024 in the first exciting, icy location, Svalbard, Norway. Production mostly took place at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
Earlier Superman films from Warner Bros. have been plagued with problems. The film Man of Steel (2013) which starred Henry Cavill as Superman was well-received with a planned sequel. But after production problems and more critical reception of 2017’s Justice League, the sequel was cancelled. Let’s hope the new film breaks this Superman curse!
James Gunn’s Vision for a New Superman
David Corenswet as Superman, Superman (2025), Image credit: DC Studios
James Gunn became the co-CEO of DC Studios with Peter Safran in October 2022. Their plan is to take a leaf out of Marvel’s book and create an ambitious, cohesive, interconnected DC universe of films. Peter Safran, the producer of Superman, promises that the superhero will stay true to his roots, a champion of truth and justice. Safran says we can expect him to be “kind in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.” Gunn’s inspiration is similar. He aims to show the beauty of finding goodness in human beings even if that might feel outdated in today’s cynical world. He wants to bring back the values we embraced in childhood. Gunn says this film celebrates kindness and love. In it’s own way, these are bold goals that could very well hit the mark of a Superman we recognize who still feels fresh yet nostalgic in today’s climate.
Who is in the Cast of Superman?
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Superman (2025), Image credit: DC Studios
The Superman cast is star-studded, featuring an ensemble cast that includes David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced. Corenswet leads as Superman, playing a take on the hero that’s older than the teen version we see in the CW series, Smallville, but younger than Cavill’s portrayal in Man of Steel and Justice League. Brosnahan will portray intrepid reporter, Lois Lane, and Hoult is bald baddie, Lex Luthor.
At this point, we have quite a bit of casting information. We know that Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, and Terence Rosemore as employees at the Daily Planet. We’ll also see the classic characters, Jonathan and Martha Kent played by Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neval Howell. Villains backing up Hoult’s Lex Luthor include Maria Gabriel de Faria as Angela Spica “The Engineer” who uses nanotechnology to power her own biology.
This film will put an exciting new twist on Superman films by including other superheroes clashing and interacting with the man of steel. Edi Gathegi is Mister Terrific, brilliant inventor of “T-Spheres.” He’s a member of the Justice Society of America alongside Isabela Marced’s high-flying Hawkgirl. Nathan Fillion, a celebrity among nerds everywhere takes on the role of Guy Gardner, an abrasive character that sometimes fills the Green Lantern role.
Frank Grillo who voices A.R.G.U.S. director, Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos will play the character in this film, an exciting choice that connects DC’s live action films to the animated universe. Rumor has it we’ll get a glimpse of Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl before she stars in her own 2026 film. We’ll also see Will Reeve make a cameo in tribute to his late father and former Superman, Christopher Reeve.
What’s the Plot of the Superman Movie?
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luther, Superman (2025), Image credit: DC Studios
There aren’t too many spoilers for the film’s plot floating around, and that’s the way it should be! What we do know is that James Gunn has promised this isn’t another Superman origin story. Superman is already an established journalist, he’s deeply in love with Lois Lane, and he’s friends with other superheroes. However, he’s having trouble balancing the two sides of his life, his alien heritage and his human loved ones. Other superheroes think his worldview is naïve.
We’re going to see a vulnerable Superman instead of an impenetrable man of steel. In the trailer we see a favorite for children, Krypto the Superdog, saving a badly beaten-up Superman. It’s rare to see the man of steel brought so low unless, of course, he ran into some kryptonite. Showing the audience that Superman is vulnerable to life-threatening injury is a great way to add tension to the film. James Gunn hasn’t revealed much about the conflict beyond a big focus on Lex Luthor’s attempts to destroy Superman.
As for inspiration from DC comics, Gunn has credited the All-Star Superman series from the 00s written by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Corenswet says he took acting inspiration from “Superman: For All Seasons” by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. Many fans think Superman’s costume looks like Alex Ross’ famous depiction in the 1996 comic book, “Kingdom Come.” The film’s score will honor classics too, offering variations on John William’s theme song for Superman (1978).
Superman and the Future of the DC Universe
Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Lanterns (2026), Image credit: DC Studios
This film’s success is crucial for the ongoing future of the DCU. If fans don’t get excited about this film, they aren’t likely to explore future DC offerings. James Gunn is feeling that pressure and says he’s miserable knowing that other projects might be scrapped if his doesn’t make an impact. But we can have some hope. Early reactions are positive, calling the film beautiful and unique.
If Superman succeeds, we can look forward to movies such as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Lanterns, The Authority, and season 2 of Peacemaker as the first phase of the new DCU called “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.”
Superman has been a definitive icon and symbol of American culture for over 80 years. Just like a classic Superman story, there’s a lot on the line and the stakes are high for this film, but we will know very soon if the world still needs Superman. Personally, I’m rooting for this movie to leave us with some hope!
If you haven’t seen it already, check out the trailer below:
The Official Superman Trailer, 2025
See also:
- DC Comics Beginners Guide for 2025
- Every Marvel and DC Studios Project Releasing in 2025
- The Highest-Grossing Superhero Films of All Time
- What Superhero Has the Most Social Media Followers?
Featured image photo credit: DC Studios
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