‘Superman’ Trailer Breakdown: 17 DC Characters and Easter Eggs in James Gunn’s New Universe

As a longtime fan of the Superman universe, I must say that this list is nothing short of mind-blowing! The sheer number and variety of characters being brought to life for this upcoming movie are truly breathtaking. From Anthony Carrigan’s Metamorpho to Skylar Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, each casting choice seems perfectly suited to the character they will portray.

The initial trailer for “Superman,” directed and written by James Gunn, debuted on Thursday, introducing David Corenswet as the latest portrayal of the Man of Steel. This also includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Superman’s significant other, and Nicholas Hoult stepping into the role of Superman’s main adversary, Lex Luthor.

After a unique sneak peek of the trailer at Warner Bros.’ lot on December 17, Corenswet expressed that revealing what he’s been laboring over for more than a year and a half was “the best thing ever.” However, when asked about his feelings upon seeing himself as Superman in front of an audience for the first time, he casually responded.

Corenswet explained, ‘I simply step back and detach myself.’ ‘It’s not really me on stage,’ he said, ‘it’s Superman, or Clark Kent.’ The exciting part, he added, is seeing all the people I consider my friends up there with me.

He’s not just talking about Brosnahan and Hoult, either. When Gunn and his fellow DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran first announced their slate in January 2023, they made clear that their reboot of Superman would also officially reboot the DC Universe as a fully unified creative endeavor that would capture the rich breadth of characters established over nearly 90 years within the wider DC Comics. (The animated DC series “Creature Commandos,” which is currently streaming on Max, is meant to be a “soft intro” to the DCU — an appetizer to “Superman’s” main course.)

For the first time in live-action, the “Superman” film series is debuting within a shared cinematic universe, brimming with numerous metahumans and superpowered beings, from well-known characters to those virtually unknown to most people. To give you an idea, think of Superman from the original “Superman” movie flying alongside Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, and Blue Beetle, or Iron Man’s first film featuring Doctor Strange, Shang-Chi, and Wanda Maximoff in the same battle. The creators of earlier comic book films assumed audiences could only handle a single superhero at a time. However, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, viewers have been prepared to embrace movies where multiple superheroes coexist on screen simultaneously.

Wow, it seems there’s an abundance of characters in Gunn’s latest movie, as you can see from the 17 DC figures and Easter eggs hidden within the “Superman” trailer. Here’s a rundown: Superman’s pet, the dog; Krypto, the super-dog; and Stagg Industries are just a few of them.

Lois Lane

In her new role, Rachel Brosnahan from ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ steps into the iconic character of Lois Lane, Clark Kent’s love interest and fellow reporter at the Daily Planet. Known for her intelligence and bravery, Lois remains oblivious to the secret identity shared by Clark and Superman. Previously, actresses like Amy Adams, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, and Kate Bosworth have portrayed Lois Lane.

Lex Luthor

Actor Nicholas Hoult, known for his roles in “Nosferatu” and “Juror #2”, is set to portray Lex Luthor, Superman’s arch-nemesis, a bald, brilliant mastermind. Lex Luthor, one of the most renowned villains in fiction, is the ambitious CEO of LexCorp who frequently endangers Superman. Joining the ranks of actors who have played this role previously, such as Jesse Eisenberg, Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Jon Cryer, and Michael Cudlitz, Hoult takes on the iconic character.

LuthorCorp

In the comics, Lex Luthor heads up LutherCorp, a corporation he inherited from his father that’s worth billions. Later on, this company becomes known as LexCorp and is situated right in the center of Metropolis.

Krypto

Back in October, I learned that Superman’s loyal canine companion, Krypto, would be making an appearance in the upcoming movie. As I penned down “Superman,” my own adopted dog, Ozu, served as a constant inspiration for me.

In a moment, I pondered, ‘Wow, how complicated would existence be if Ozu possessed superpowers?’ Then, Krypto appeared in the script and significantly altered the narrative as Ozu was impacting my life, Gunn shared. It seemed fitting to introduce the less-than-perfect superhero, Krypto, at this juncture.

Guy Gardner

Actor Nathan Fillion, famously recognized from “Castle” and “Firefly,” adopts a striking red-haired bowl cut in his role as Guy Gardner, a member of the Green Lantern Corps – an interstellar law enforcement unit. Known for his ability to fly and conjure green light constructs using his ring, Guy is also notorious for his boastful and arrogant demeanor. In the upcoming HBO series “Lanterns,” Fillion will once again embody this character, sharing screen time with Aaron Pierce and Kyle Chandler, who portray iconic Lanterns John Stewart and Hal Jordan respectively.

Hawkgirl

Actress Isabela Merced is portraying the feathered hero Hawkgirl, a role that has been assumed by various characters. They are all characterized by their large, avian wings and their use of an Nth metal mace. Previously, Aldis Hodge brought the character Hawkman to life in “Black Adam.

Mister Terrific

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Edi Gathegi, known for his roles in “For All Mankind” and “The Blacklist,” steps into the role of Mister Terrific. This character is one of the planet’s sharpest minds and an ingenious inventor. He dons a T-shaped mask and relies on an array of cutting-edge devices to keep us all safe!

Clark Kent

Under a mild-mannered, spectacle-wearing disguise as Clark Kent, hides the extraordinary figure of Superman. While most individuals remain oblivious to their shared identity, Lois Lane is privy to this secret since Clark and Superman are actually one in the same.

Jonathan Kent

In a different scenario, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell take over the roles of Jonathan and Martha Kent, also known as Pa and Ma Kent, who welcome a young Kryptonian boy onto their Kansas farm after he arrives there by accident. Earlier, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane portrayed these characters in the “Man of Steel” and DCEU movies.

The Kent Farm

Jonathan and Martha Kent reside in Kansas, where they take in and nurture a young Superman as their adopted child, following his arrival from the distant planet Krypton.

Metamorpho

Actor Anthony Carrigan from “Barry” takes on the role of Metamorpho, a character who possesses the ability to change his physical form into different elements. In the comic books, this character is known for its elasticity resembling rubber, the power to transform into liquids or gases, and the acquisition of rock-like strength. Prior to this, Carrigan portrayed the antagonist Mr. Zsasz in the show “Gotham.

Stagg Industries

Stagg Industries is another massive company that’s controlled by the wealthy adversary, Simon Stagg. In the comic books, Simon’s daughter Sapphire develops feelings for Rex Mason (portrayed by Anthony Carrigan), and it’s Simon who transforms Rex into the deformed superhero known as Metamorpho.

The Daily Planet

The Daily Planet serves as the workplace for characters like Clark, Lois, Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lombard, and Cat Grant. Wendell Pierce’s character Perry White holds the position of editor-in-chief. This building is recognized by the globe on its peak roof, and it’s also visible at the entrance.

Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lombard and Cat Grant

Actor Skylar Gisondo, known for roles in “Booksmart” and “The Righteous Gemstones,” takes on the role of Jimmy Olsen, a photographer at The Daily Planet. Jimmy is frequently depicted as a close associate to Clark and Lois, and has been featured in various adaptations of Superman. Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Beck Bennett plays Steve Lombard, a Daily Planet reporter who often appears as a sports journalist and rival to Clark. Mikaela Hoover portrays Cat Grant, another Daily Planet reporter. In the comics, she is sometimes depicted as a love interest for either Clark or Jimmy Olsen.

Fortress of Solitude

Superman’s personal stronghold, the Fortress of Solitude, is nestled within the Arctic region. This hidden fortress is crafted from enormous chunks of ice and stands remote from human civilization.

Kelex

It appears Superman seems quite emotional over a damaged robot, and there’s a chance this could be Kelex from the comic books. Kelex was a robot servant from the planet Krypton who later took care of the Fortress of Solitude. If this fortress has been destroyed, it would cut one of Superman’s last ties to his home world – which might explain why he seems so upset.

Monster Fight

It’s uncertain whether the enormous, fiery creature Superman battles in the trailer is based on comic book lore, yet it might represent one of his initial significant encounters as the Steel Man.

2024-12-19 18:19