Earlier this week James Gunn and the cast of July’s Superman appeared live on stage at CinemaCon to present a new clip from the film. Last night that clip was officially released online much to the delight of fans on social media. Today we’re taking a deep dive on some key moments seen in the preview.
With Gunn and his team still working on the film’s second trailer, the CinemaCon preview instead expands on a moment glimpsed in the official teaser. As David Corenswet’s Man of Steel crashes in to the snow he calls on Krypto to rescue him. After managing the calm the incredibly playful pup the pair returns to the Fortress of Solitude where a fleet of Kryptonian robots tend to Superman’s wounds.
In case you missed it, or just want to watch it again, you can watch the full clip in the player below:
Super-Detailed Suit
A huge point of discussion amongst fans has been the design of David Corenswet’s costume. First glimpsed in a darkly lit still image back in May 2024, the film’s teaser trailer gave us a few more chances to see the suit in action. This new preview however has shown us several moments where we can really hone in on the fine detail in Judianna Makovsky’s design.
There are several glorious shots in the preview which give us a look at the suit in its full glory. After Krypton has pulled Superman to Fortress of Solitude we see a fleet of Kryptonian robots lifting him up. In that moment David Corenswet has his arms folded which covers some of the detail on his chest. But once the robots place him in a healing chamber (see above) we get our best look at Superman from head to toe.
Our first observation was how well fitted the suit in. Some detractors of the film have said the suit looks baggy. In particular it has been compared to Henry Cavill’s suit which was almost a second skin. Similarly, Christopher Reeve’s lycra suit was also rather figure hugging. Whilst it’s clear that Corenswet’s suit is something he could easily hang in the wardrobe before pulling on the famous red trunks. It also appears to be incredibly well suited to his body shape. As he lies in the chamber there are barely any visible creases which would suggest no issues with the choice of fabric or the construction of the suit.
Earlier in the trailer, as Superman grabs his cape whilst begging Krypton for help, we get a close up shot which zooms in even further on fine detailing. In the shot above we can see part of his arm and cape as well as the classic red trunks. As seen in the wider shot, the suit has some panelling to help it look more interesting than a simple blue onesie.
Up close we can see there’s a texture to the material the suit is made out of which creates a cool sense of light and shade. It breathes life in to the suit and gives it that sense of being something weightier than a simple Halloween costume. The cape, certainly in these shots, is also practical. A complaint for some with the Zack Snyder-era films was the use of VFX capes in order to make shooting action sequences easier.
The Fortress of Solitude
Something with the teaser makes incredibly clear is its approach to authentic, comic book-inspired storytelling. That’s most evidence when it comes to Gunn’s interpretation of the Fortress of Solitude. Zack Snyder gave the location a brilliant context in making it a crashed Kryptonian ship. But Gunn is going back to Superman’s roots with a palatial structure which rises from the ice as Superman and Krypton approach.
Whilst Gunn doesn’t go quite as far as to give the front door it’s ginormous key. The use of the House of El sigil on the doors is a beautiful touch ripped right from the pages of the comic book. As is the fact that Krypto is able to open the doors by the sound of his bark. The whole sequence shows off the scale of Gunn’s production but also the level of VFX which have gone in to bringing this version of the Man of Steel’s world to life.
Later in the preview we see the full structure again from the outside as it turns on its axis. The Kryotponian robots shift the fortress in order to capture the full rays of the sun to help aid in Superman’s recovery from his injuries. More on that in a second. Again the shot seen in the preview is breathtaking. With over three months to go until the release of the film the visual effects are looking incredibly polished. It just goes to show that Gunn is sticking to his word in not showing off any frame of the film which isn’t fully ready.
Stepping Inside the Fortress
With the doors to the Fortress open Krypto drags the injured Superman indoors where they are greeted by a small army of Kryptonian robots. We meet 4, voiced by Alan Tudyk, and briefly glimpse 12 who seems a little more sentient than her colleague may suggest. The group carries the injured Man of Steel through to the main chamber of the Fortress where an establishing shot gives us a glorious look at the set design.
This new era of the Fortress certainly takes inspiration from the 1978 theatrical version. Bright and airy, it has crystal structures littered throughout the main chamber just as Christopher Reeve had. The huge exterior wall on the far right of the frame provides a huge source of light even before the robots open the chamber up to light of the sun.
Zooming in for a closer look there’s a lot of fine detail to see within the Fortress. There appear to be columns where more of the Kryptonian robots are regenerating or charging. Suggesting there’s more than just those who are tending to Superman’s wounds. Behind them we can see another wall of technology, perhaps more of the structures internal systems. Adding a lot more screen readouts and blinking lights to the already dynamic set piece.
In the comics the Fortress of Solitude has taken on many forms and had many rooms. Some of the most legendary versions have featured a museum to Krypton and Superman’s adventures. We’ve also seen the Fortress house living quarters. Something which is made use of during All Star Superman, a book which heavily inspired James Gunn’s interpretation.
We also get a brief glimpse at Kryptonian language as the group of robots assess Superman’s injuries. The brief glimpse at more Kryptonian tech shows this interpretation will be very different to Zack Snyder’s visually striking ship seen in Man of Steel. Gunn’s interpretation feels more like it takes inspiration from 1960’s science fiction films and series whilst still maintaining a contemporary, clean look.
Playful Pup
By this point a lot has been written about Krypto after he stole the show in the initial teaser. James Gunn has spoken at length about his own dog, Orzo, who has been the inspiration behind Krypto. Speaking at a launch even for the teaser Gunn explained that Krypto may be more of a hindrance than a help to the Man of Steel in the film and this new preview shows a little more of that.
Expanding on the emotional moment when Krypto arrives to help the injured Superman we see that what actually happens next is the canine Kryptonian terrorises his pal because he wants to play. Bounding on to Superman’s back the Man of Steel cries out in pain. We also see Krypto grabbing Superman by the leg as he lies bleeding in the snow. None of this appears to be done maliciously. Most importantly Superman is never seen to get angry with the pup.
It’s clear that Krypto is powered, much like his comic book counterpart. We also get a much closer look at this cute little cape and the House of El sigil around his beck. But we do also get a strong sense of the relationship between these two characters. It feels like Krypto may be as much of the heart of the movie as Superman himself.
Superman, DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.
The film stars David Corenswet(Twisters) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan(The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (For All Mankind), Anthony Carrigan (Gotham), Nathan Fillion (The Suicide Squad), Isabela Merced (Alien Romulus), Skyler Gisondo (Licorice Pizza), Sara Sampaio (At Midnight), María Gabriela de Faría (The Moodys), Wendell Pierce (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Alan Tudyk (Andor), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Bird Box) and Neva Howell (Greedy People).
Superman is due to hit cinemas on July 11, 2025 from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures. For more head to our dedicated hub for all things Superman ’25.
