‘Superman’ Sneak Features Feisty Krypto And Super Robots [CinemaCon]

LAS VEGAS – Warner Bros saved its most important sneak at this year’s CinemaCon until the end of the program. DC Studios presidents David Safran and James Gunn introduced the cast of the latter’s directorial effort, “Superman.” Rachel Brosnahan, David Corenswet, and Nicholas Hoult walked on stage, and a long and we mean long conversation about the movie began. Finally, as the presentation’s 6:30 PM PT end time was near, Gunn segued to a special “sneak peek” of what everyone at WB hopes will be the “Summer of Superman.”

We want to believe, but we’re not so sure.

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The footage begins similarly to a scene in the movie’s official trailer where a battered Superman (Corenswet) crashed into the snowy Arctic. As blood flows from his head, he blows a massive whistle, and in the distance, Krypto, his super-dog, booms across the tundra. Krypto has no idea Superman is injured and jumps all over him in joy (cute), until his owner finally convinces him to stop and drag him “home.”

That home is the Fortress of Solitude, which, as Krypto and Superman get closer, bursts out of the ice in the iconic long spikes similar to the production design of Richard Donner’s 1978 adaptation. In an inspired choice, the Fortress appears to only appear above ground when Kal El needs it. Inside, a number of Superman Robots (or Autobots, they may go by both) carry him to a medical table. No. 4 introduces Supes to no. 12, who has her own, distinct voice (think Pixar cuteness). The robots then determine that focused exposure to the sun will quickly heal our hero. As an opening for the light opens up from the inside, the entire Fortress pivots toward the sun (another inspired choice). A futuristic magifier increases the intensity of the light through the opening onto Kal-El, and he yells out in pain as he’s quickly healed.

As a reader of many Superman comic books throughout this writer’s life, this was somewhat strange. Usually, light has a warming and calming effect on Kal-El. Gunn has his interpretation.

Despite those two aforementioned inspired moments, the footage felt not only flat, but looked, for lack of a better word, cheap-ish. This has been a goofy Gunn aesthetic in “Suicide Squad” and “The Peacemaker” TV series. While it worked in those action comedies, it feels off here. And the more footage that was shown, mostly longer snippets from the trailer, the more it sticks out like a sore thumb.

The preview continues with a few notable moments, including Lois Lane (Brosnahan) sitting indian style to interview Superman (who looks like he’s been uncovered as Clark Kent sans his glasses), a shot of Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) conjuring a forcefield, Superman pushing back on fire blast from a gigantic monster and Lex Luthor (Hoult) stating, “He’s back” as a viewscreen show Superman flying into Metropolis. That being said, who or what Superman’s true adversary is (outside of Luthor), remains to be seen. There is little urgency depicted in the previews so far. Maybe that mysterious conflict will be revealed soon, but with almost three months until opening, there’s no time like the present. Especially when you’re pitching your wares in front of theater owners.

During the on-stage discussion, Gunn stated he wanted to make a “Superman” movie that “celebrates kindness and human love.” Addig, “I want people to have that magical feeling when they come out of the movie and they love the person they came with a little more than when they went in.”

That’s an admirable goal and a genuine artistic vision. That being said, we wonder if the “cool” factor has gotten a little bit lost along the way.

At one point, the cast was asked if they could play any other DC Hero, who would it be? Brosnahan said Luthor (love it), Corenswet said Batman (curious), and Hoult joked that he’d auditioned for both Superman and Batman (big laughs). And for a moment – with no disrespect to Corenswet, he’s charismatic and fits the bill – we imagined this footage with Hoult as the Last Son of Krypton. It gave us pause. Could that have been a better choice? Would that give this incarnation even a sutble edge it simply doesn’t have so far? We’ll know for sure soon enough.

“Superman” opens nationwide on July 11, 2025.

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