DC Studios’ upcoming film Superman is less than a year away, and countless comic book fans are anxious to see the new Man of Steel in James Gunn’s reboot of the DC Universe. Originally titled Superman: Legacy, this blockbuster will be the Last Son of Krypton’s first solo film in over 10 years, so the hype is palpable. For those excited to learn more about this superhero epic, here’s a breakdown of everything that’s been revealed about 2025’s Superman so far.
When does Superman come out?
Superman will premiere on July 11, 2025, making it one of the year’s most highly anticipated summer blockbusters.
What is the story of Superman?
According to Variety, the film “tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”
Though plot details are still scarce, Gunn revealed on Instagram that the story and its characters are inspired by comics across several eras. Gunn’s influences include the comics from writer Grant Morrison, particularly All-Star Superman, as well as Mark Waid’s Kingdom Come, Jeph Loeb’s A Superman For All Seasons, and Alan Moore’s Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? Gunn also revealed that he was influenced by director Richard Donner’s Superman films, 1941’s animated movie Superman: The Mad Scientist, and Superman: The Animated Series.
Where will Superman take place?
Like most Superman stories, this film will take place in the Man of Steel’s old stomping ground: Metropolis. Cleveland was transformed into the iconic comic book city for the filming of Superman, featuring such notable landmarks as The Daily Planet. Allegedly, the film will feature the Hall of Justice, the base of operations for the Justice League.
In a post on X, the Greater Cleveland Partnership revealed photos of the blueprints for the Cincinnati Union Terminal, which was the inspiration for the Hall of Justice. They also confirmed that Superman did have scenes filmed in Cincinnati.
“Skyscrapers and Skylines: Architectural Marvels of Metropolis.”
The featured blueprint is the Cincinnati Union Terminal, which served as the inspiration for the Hall of Justice, the HQ of the Justice League.
The production of #Superman will head to Cincinnati later this month. pic.twitter.com/qv4nuOeCmZ
— Greater Cleveland Partnership (@GreaterCLE) July 3, 2024
This sprawling epic won’t be limited to Metropolis. The production seems to have conducted filming in LaGrange, Georgia, at what appears to be the set for Kent Farm, Superman’s childhood home on Earth. The appearance of the Kent Farm does fit with the film, as it will feature Ma and Pa Kent as characters.
Additionally, the film will include Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Comic Book Resources reported that filming took place at Adventdalen (“Advent Valley”) in Svalbard, Norway, for scenes of Clark fleeing to his Arctic hideout. This will be the first time audiences see Superman have his traditional frozen fortress in a live-action film since 2006’s Superman Returns.
Who is the villain of Superman?
Since Lex Luthor will appear in this film, it’s pretty clear that the iconic villain will be a thorn in Superman’s side in the story. However, it looks like the Blue Boy Scout will have far more adversaries to contend with. For instance, set photos on X reveal Superman getting arrested and escorted away by the military in a scene reminiscent of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Next to him is Rick Flag Sr., the Engineer, and a tall, hulking figure wearing a mask and a black suit with what appears to be a “U” on the chest.
BREAKING: Superman appears to have met his match during a fight scene being filmed in front of city hall on Tuesday.
Photos: David Petkiewicz, https://t.co/a4YA4W2Cro pic.twitter.com/VbFzRAu7US
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) June 25, 2024
According to insider Daniel RPK, this large mystery man is allegedly Ultraman, a clone of Superman created by Lex Luthor and the film’s main villain. In the comics, Ultraman is a dark version of Superman from an alternate universe, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gunn took liberties with this Ultraman’s multiversal original story.
Though Gunn stated on Threads that Luthor would be the film’s main villain, he didn’t deny that Ultraman is in the film. The latter villain could just be the one who fights Superman on Luthor’s behalf.
Who is in the Superman cast?
As the first film in Gunn’s cinematic universe, Superman has assembled a large cast of notable comic book characters to bring this new franchise to life. The movie won’t just feature characters from the Man of Steel’s corner of the world. Superman will also feature characters more often linked to other notable DC heroes and teams, including Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and the Green Lantern Corps. Many of them haven’t even appeared in a live-action film yet, displaying Gunn’s knack for taking overlooked comic book characters and turning them into household names. Here’s a quick overview of the confirmed cast members and their characters so far:
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
- Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
- Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern
- Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho
- María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/The Engineer
- Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
- Terence Rosemore as Otis
- Wendell Pierce as Perry White
- Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent
- Neva Howell as Martha Kent
- Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord
- Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
- Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
- Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe
- Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
- Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl
The film will also star Will Reeve, son of late Superman actor Christopher Reeve, as a news reporter. Harley Quinn actor Alan Tudyk has also been cast in an unknown role.
Given that Tudyk voices Doctor Phosphorus in Creature Commandos, there is a chance he will reprise this respective role from the show in the film alongside Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. As recently revealed on X, Clark’s alien pet, Krypto the Superdog, will make his first appearance in a live-action film.
Who is directing Superman?
Unsurprisingly, James Gunn has signed up to both write and direct Superman. A movie about the Blue Boy Scout will surely be a departure from the more vulgar, comedic projects in his filmography, which include The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. However, Gunn is the one who laid out the overarching story of this DC Universe, so it makes sense that he’d be the one to introduce it in theaters.
Is there a trailer for Superman?
Since Superman finished filming in July 2024, it’s still too early for DC to release a full-length trailer. Despite this, Gunn revealed on Threads that he is considering showing a teaser or trailer to the public before the end of 2024.
How long is Superman?
No runtime has been revealed at this time. Given the scale and scope teased for the film, it is safe to say Superman will clock in somewhere between two and three hours long to do its vast story and numerous characters justice.
Are there posters for Superman?
No official posters have been released for the film. However, a handful of promotional stills have circulated online, many of which show in Corenswet in the Superman suit, rocking the hero’s classic red briefs. His suit also bears Superman’s trademark “S” symbol, which is based on the suit design from Kingdom Come.
The images released so far include behind-the-scenes photos of filming in Metropolis, the Kent Farm, and possibly Superman’s Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic. All these images hint at an epic, expansive sci-fi blockbuster just waiting to be unveiled in theaters.
What’s the deal with Krypto?
Right now, audiences are buzzing over the reveal of the DCU’s Krypto, which shows the Kryptonian canine sitting on the moon, looking down on the Earth next to Superman. It’s a far cry from anything audiences have seen from the Man of Steel in the DC Extended Universe, yet it harks back to the days of Christopher Reeve’s more whimsical Superman movies.
All in all, the image implies that the studio has embraced the wondrous, lighthearted nature of the source material, which should please die-hard comic book fans.
How does Superman tie into the new DCU?
Superman will be the initial film in the DC Universe’s first phase, dubbed “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters,” meaning it will help lay the groundwork for multiple future stories. DC Studios has already greenlit projects for Chapter One centered around Supergirl, the Authority, and the Green Lantern Corps. The appearance of Supergirl, Guy Gardner, and the Engineer will likely help set up the events of these upcoming projects, with the former most likely debuting in a post-credits scene.
Rick Flag Sr.’s appearance in the film will also tie into the animated series Creature Commandos, which will debut the character a year before this film’s premiere. Due to Flag’s relationship with Amanda Waller through the Creature Commandos, his presence should even link Superman to characters like Waller, Peacemaker, and the Suicide Squad.
