It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s (Everything We Know About James Gunn’s) Superman

In the time since Henry Cavill stepped into the role of Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel, there have been three separate Batman universes: the DCU, which Cavill’s Superman is a part of; the Robert Pattinson Noir-verse; and the Joker-verse. James Gunn to the rescue! The new CEO of DC Studios is directing an upcoming Superman movie that will kick off a reboot of the DCU. Below, everything we know about the film, which was previously titled Superman: Legacy, including its cast, its release date, and a teaser trailer.

Is there a Superman trailer?

You bet there is! The first full Superman teaser was released on December 19, and while it’s low on actual plot points, it is very high on shots of Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman kissing. In fact, she kisses both, leading us to wonder if she knows about the dual identity of her beau in this movie or if she just has a really clear type. We also see Superman getting booed at and jeered by a crowd of angry citizens. His one weakness may be kryptonite, but clearly, a tin can getting thrown at his head isn’t fun either. Perhaps most of all, though, is that Superman whistles, and his superdog Krypto comes to his rescue. How could Lex Luther be so mad at Superman when he has a cute little pup with him? As for the quick shot of Superman sad about a robot … Well, we’ll just have to wait and see what James Gunn is on about.

What about a poster?

Gunn shared a poster on Instagram on December 16, showcasing a flying Superman along with a reveal of the film’s tagline: “Look up.” Given the recent Adam McKay movie, we are getting a lot of mixed messages from Hollywood about whether or not we’re supposed to look up.

Who’s in the cast?

David Corenswet, a double Ryan Murphy collaborator who famously played Ben Platt’s character’s boyfriend in The Politician, is Clark Kent. It’s a new path for Corenswet: Superman has earth-shattering, I-can-move-mountains energy, which Corenswet hasn’t had to mine in a kitschy Ryan Murphy production or Pearl. His love interest will be Mrs. Maisel herself, Rachel Brosnahan, stepping into Lois Lane’s shoes, per The Hollywood Reporter. Brosnahan won out over Sex Education’s Emma Mackey and Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor to play Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane. Corenswet beat The Great’s Nicholas Hoult and Grantchester’s Tom Brittney for the role, making him the fourth Superman after Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, and Henry Cavill — a part that will also serve as his first leading role. Serious stuff (for a possibly unserious film?).

Metropolis will be filled to the brim with additional heroes and villains. Besides Superman, the film will star Gunn mainstay Nathan Fillion as hothead Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Barry’s Anthony Corrigan will play true weirdo Metamorpho, Isabela Merced will take up Hawkgirl’s mace, and Edi Gathegi will play Mister Terrific. Hoult made his way back into the picture as the villainous Lex Luthor, and Portuguese model Sara Sampaio has been cast as his assistant Eve Teschmacher.

Of course, Clark Kent has a life too, which means there are plenty of family, friends, and co-workers to cast. Per THR, Wendell Pierce will take on the role of the Daily Planet’s big boss, Perry White, while Skyler Gisondo will play photographer Jimmy Olsen. Meanwhile, Pruitt Taylor Vince will play Pa Kent (Clark Kent’s dad on Earth, Jonathan Kent). Ma will be played by Neva Howell.

Any fun Easter eggs or cameos?

Variety reports that Will Reeve, the youngest son of Christopher Reeve, will appear in the film. Christopher Reeve was CGI inserted into The Flash in 2023, which fans were not happy about. This inclusion feels much more well-considered. Reeve will be playing a TV reporter, which is his mild-mannered day job.

And it wouldn’t be a James Gunn joint if Sean Gunn wasn’t involved somehow. Per Deadline, Sean will be playing Maxwell Lord, who Pedro Pascal previously portrayed in Wonder Woman: 1984. In comics, Lord was a tech-savvy bud of the Justice League before turning heel. Pap shots of filming revealed that Lord will be sponsoring both Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl’s hero careers.

When does it come out?

The film is scheduled to fly into theaters on July 11, 2025, which also happens to be Gunn’s late father’s birthday. “He didn’t understand me as a kid, but he supported my love of comics and my love of film,” Gunn said, “and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him.”