The Man of Steel is back and looking better than ever in the first official trailer for James Gunn’s Superman. After months of teasers and glimpses (that actually seemed like the actual trailer) that had fans at the edge of their seats, DC has finally dropped a full trailer for their biggest test yet.
The trailer kicks off with Superman sitting down for an interview with Lois Lane. How David Corenswet’s Clark Kent leans forward and transforms from the mild-mannered reporter to the Man of Steel is something that would make Christopher Reeve proud.
Corenswet seems to have found the perfect balance for this dual identity. His Superman has that all-too-familiar warmth the hero carries in the comics, while his Clark Kent appears genuinely likable rather than just a clumsy disguise.
This is a Superman who smiles, who cares, who believes in people, which is a welcome return to the character’s hopeful core after years of brooding interpretations (and no, this is not a dig on Henry Cavill).
Going back to the trailer, we get to see a world that’s not quite sure what to make of an alien who can stop wars single-handedly. The US government appears more anxious than grateful about Superman’s interventions, treating him like a political complication rather than the hero he is.
All this works to the benefit of Nicholas Hoult’s sleek, calculating Lex Luthor, who is clearly plotting to turn public opinion against the Man of Steel. Luckily for him, he has Hawkgirl, Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Metamorpho, and Mister Terrific backing him up against a whole host of villains out for Kryptonian blood.
There’s a lot to be said about this Superman trailer, but for me, its bright and hopeful tone has me sold. Gunn has his flaws as a director, but I’m glad to see he seems to understand what makes Superman iconic: not just his godlike powers, but his deeply human heart.
For a character who’s been around our cultural consciousness for over 85 years, this Superman looks surprisingly fresh. Come July, we will discover if Gunn’s vision can truly make us believe a man can fly… again.
