I sat back—actually leaned forward—when that new TV spot shot across my screen. Not a full trailer, but jam-packed with unseen flourishes: the Man of Steel in mid-flight, glasses glinting, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) simmering concern, and an action beat that feels eerily Silver-Age—a genre nod wrapped in sincerity.
First Impressions: Cautious, hopeful
Yesterday's screening was low-key but electric. Critics and influencers got a glimpse, bound by an embargo until July 7, yet whispers are spreading—and they're mostly good. ComicBookMovie calls it “a live-action episode of Superman: The Animated Series,” praising its sci-fi tropes, drama and big-hearted laughs.
Over on Threads, Robert Meyer Burnett said it's “180 degrees away from Zack Snyder's vision… he really, really liked it”. Another terse but telling post: “I hear #Superman is good”. Here's the thing—nobody's dropping spoilers, but the vibe: earnest, warm, earnest again.
The VFX flap and Gunn's turn
Remember the barrel-roll shot that looked… odd? The one where Superman's face didn't quite sync with movement? Gunn defended it, saying, “zero CG in his face,” noting it was a wide-angle trick over drone footage. That shot got scrapped—and the updated version, in this TV spot, looks smoother, less uncanny. Gunn admitted it slipped by during early marketing, but here? It's back, tweaked, bearing a calmer polish.
Casting vibes and character clues
The roster is stacked—David Corenswet as Clark/Superman, Brosnahan's Lois looking every bit the ace reporter, and Nicholas Hoult's Lex looming in shadows. We also glimpse Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), even a fleeting Krypto tease. The camera lingers on Lois—her brows knit like storm clouds—so Gunn's blend of action, humor, and emotional stakes is clearly front of mind.
Tone & “Gods and Monsters” setup
In a recent Entertainment Weekly piece, Gunn frames Superman as the keystone in DCU's new “Gods and Monsters” chapter—part of a broader creative diagram that includes Peacemaker S2, Supergirl, Lanterns and more. Gunn's goal: make a superb standalone film, but also plant seeds for later stories—Subtle, but oh so deliberate.
July 11 is near
Mark it: Superman hits theaters July 11, 2025 in the U.S. (international July 9)—a bold relaunch for the DCU. Box office projections hover between $95M–135M, with $10M already locked in from pre-sales . That suggests real appetite—hope and nostalgia converging in one iconic hero's return.
What it all means—or maybe, feels
There's a paradox in this marketing: they're low on plot, high on heart. It's like a jazz riff—never the full melody, but enough to stir something deep. Gunn's approach feels like a handshake: warm, confident, and oddly nostalgic without the baggage that weighed down earlier Superman attempts. Snyder's brooding tableau is swapped for animated-era sunshine.
And Gunn's reactive editing—scrapping that flying shot—suggests a filmmaker listening, adjusting, pushing for what should feel right, not just look slick.
Is it perfect? Not yet. We're still teaser-phase. But if early sentiment holds, we could be on the verge of a well-crafted reboot—big in spectacle, bigger in soul.
Reflective closer
I left that TV spot with a flutter, not a thud. It's hopeful. It's earnest. It might even make me believe again. This July, we'll find out: is it legend reborn, or just another flight?
Confirmed dates & logistics
- The worldwide Superman rollout kicks off July 9, 2025—landed in China by July 11 too.
- Full press embargo lifts July 7—expect reviews, thinkpieces, breakdowns.
- Gunn's peakbox window is open: Puppy Bowl sneak during Feb 9, and marketing ramps through NBA Finals. And yes, July 11 release in multiple formats (IMAX, 3D, 4DX).
