The upcoming Superman movie is the first film in the newly restructured DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership. It’s not just a standalone superhero movie, but the most important superhero project in years that could redefine the future of this genre. This isn’t merely a reboot of Clark Kent’s story. It’s a movie trying to create a new legacy while respecting the past.
Superman is a bold, creative shift after a decade of uneven cinematic storytelling across the DC Extended Universe and its multiversal Elseworld branches, which have often leaned into weirder, not satisfying narratives or multiversal chaos. Superman (2025) intends to reintroduce audiences to the core of what makes him special, not just his powers or enemies, but his compassion, moral compass, happiness, warmth, and role as a long-lived symbol of hope in a broken world.
A Superman pre-story + main story
Unlike previous film adaptations that spent significant screen time going between Clark Kent’s (David Corenswet) origin, starting with the destruction of Krypton, his arrival on Earth, and the slow discovery of his powers, to his adult life, this film begins with a Superman who is already active.
Clark Kent has been Superman for 3 years now. He is in his late-twenties/early thirties, working at the Daily Planet in Metropolis, dating Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), but he is still figuring out what it means to be a hero in a world that is increasingly skeptical of heroism and goodness. And most importantly, what it means to be a good person.
This creative choice avoids the familiar narrative from previous projects and instead focuses on the hero’s journey of Clark. What does it mean for someone with godlike abilities to live by small-town Kansas values? What does it take to stay good in a world that constantly tests your idealism?
Those are the kind of questions that James Gunn has positioned the story to explore Superman’s dual identity. Not just in the physical sense of being a hero and human, but in the moral and spiritual sense of being someone who must carry the weight of people’s hopes while often standing completely alone.
His family is important to him, and he must respect all the lessons his father, Jonathan (Pruitt Taylor Vince), taught him. Because without them, Clark won’t be the hero he is supposed to be. Without them, everything he could do would just be a dream, and people would die.
Superman’s story is a philosophical foundation that is built on six comic adaptations of All-Star Superman, Kingdom Come, Superman for All Seasons, Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?, Superman: Up in the Sky, and Superman (2023) Vol. 1: Supercorp. All those comics have a huge influence on the story. They are the comic books that Gunn picked to serve as an inspiration for his movie. Those comic books redefined Superman in one way or another.
Because of the overall idea of how the story will look with Superman trying to defeat Lex (Nicholas Hoult), having a successful relationship with Lois, and trying to save everyone, we know that this Superman doesn’t win because he’s stronger. He wins because he’s better in every aspect that matters when it comes to defining what it means to be a good person. That’s the emotional part of this story and of this film.
At this point, when we expect a lot from superhero movies, the plot of Superman is easy to understand, but it’s not the point. The story of this movie is about accepting who you are. It’s about accepting that even in the darkest times, hope cuts through, that hope is the light that lifts out of darkness. That’s why it is an important Superman story, and why it will mean so much to people.
Clark Kent, Lois Lane and other friends
No Superman story is complete without the Daily Planet and Clark’s friends. In this project, the most important person in Clark’s life besides his parents is Lois Lane. Her portrayal is expected to be a highlight of the movie, bringing back the iconic Pulitzer-winning journalist in a modern, fresh version.
This Lois is not only a talented journalist, but also someone who challenges Clark to stay true to his ideals. Not through conflict, but through showing his weaknesses, explaining his motivations, and most importantly, connecting with people. Their chemistry is already amazing, and it reflects a relationship full of mutual respect, love, support, and their shared pursuit of truth.
Joining them is Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), who brings a youthful energy and excitement to Clark’s life. Perry White (Wendell Pierce) is also an important part of the movie. He serves as the authoritative but fair editor-in-chief of Daily Planet. He respects Clark and wants him to succeed by helping him bring out the best in him. Even if sometimes he can be a hardass.
These characters aren’t just a background. They represent the importance of Clark’s identity that helps him balance being Superman with being a man raised in a home full of love, warmth, and happiness.
Gunn makes sure that the Planet isn’t just a newsroom. It’s a battleground. In a time where the truth is often manipulated, and media institutions are under a lot of fire for being honest, it’s a brave thing to show it in a movie like this. Because Superman is not only a symbol of hope. He is a symbol of truth. A symbol of life.
Lex Luthor and the bigger world of heroes and metahumans in Superman
The primary antagonist of the film is Lex Luthor. It is a modern take on this iconic villain, taking inspiration from the All-Star Superman comic book. Nicholas Hoult takes on the role with heavy expectations. He has to present to people a calculated coldness and be a quiet menace that will not hesitate to make the hardest choices to get what he wants.
This Lex is not cartoonishly evil. He’s dangerous because he genuinely believes the world is better off without Superman. A self-made billionaire and intellectual, this version of Luthor views Superman as a destabilizing alien presence, someone whose very existence disrupts human progress and undermines self-determination.
Hoult’s Luthor will likely serve as a mirror to Superman’s values, not through brute force, but through philosophical opposition. Gunn has suggested that this film will touch on how institutions, corporations, governments, media, and other places respond to someone who refuses to be controlled and wants to be in control instead.
Lex’s motivations are as much political as they are personal. He isn’t just trying to destroy Superman. He’s trying to discredit him, turn the public against him, and reclaim the narrative, partially by using Ultraman, international conflicts he caused, trying to kill him, and more.
In my opinion, the most surprising and ambitious part of Superman is how it seamlessly introduces other superheroes in this story without forcing Clark’s narrative to change or be pushed aside. Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) are all confirmed to appear in significant supporting roles. These characters aren’t just Easter eggs or future spin-off bait. They are in this movie to serve as part of the bigger narrative that will highlight different interpretations of heroism.
This larger cast proves that Gunn’s DC Universe doesn’t need to spend a decade building up this world to give us superhero team-ups. He is willing to treat the world as an already established one, with superheroes and supervillains being a common part of people’s lives.
But, in a world full of capes and superheroes, what makes Superman different isn’t that he’s the strongest. It’s that he’s the most trustworthy, full of hope, truth, justice, and love. Even Superman’s faithful companion Krypto is expected to have a heartfelt role, reminding audiences that this world isn’t all bad. It’s full of loyalty, love, and fun.
James Gunn’s Superman releases July 11, 2025
Superman sounds like a movie that will be more than just another superhero project meant to make easy money. It’s a manifesto to show the love for Superman. To show the love for life, happiness, hope, justice, friendship, and loyalty.
It will serve as a lifelong argument that heroes don’t need to be tortured or sarcastic to be interesting. They can be sincere. They can be kind. They can believe in people and still be trustworthy. Gunn’s Superman aims to remind audiences what made this character an icon in the first place. It’s not his heat vision or his strength. It’s his heart, rules, and beliefs.
James Gunn has stated that this film will set the tone for the DCU moving forward, and if that tone is focused on showing empathy, legacy, and moral responsibility, then Superman may just be the emotional and cultural reset the superhero genre desperately needs.
With strong performances, a thoughtful script, and a director who understands both the mythology and the humanity of the character, Superman looks ready to be one of the best movies of this year. But definitely, it will be one of the most important comic book inspired movies of 2025, and have an impact for years to come for the DCU.
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Also check out: Comics Inspirations Behind David Corenswet’s Superman Suit
