James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Footage Soars at CinemaCon as Krypto the Dog Steals the Show

by

It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s DC’s last, best chance to make a movie that rivals Marvel.

At CinemaCon on Tuesday, James Gunn, appointed by Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav to breathe new life into the DC film universe following disappointments like “The Flash” and “Justice League,” shared tantalizing glimpses of his plans. The project that excites him most is “Superman,” for which he has penned the script and will also direct, creating a comic book adventure. Gunn aims to provide viewers with a more hopeful and uplifting reboot as DC strayed towards a gloomier, somber direction with the Snyder-verse.

“This is a movie that celebrates kindness and human love,” Gunn promised theater owners.

Without a doubt, the trailer presented by DC during Warner Bros.’s meeting with theater owners showcased what’s to come, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. It was filled with vibrant American colors and an uplifting vibe. Scenes included Superman being interviewed by Lois Lane and rescuing people from crumbling structures. Additionally, there was a glimpse of Lex Luthor wielding a large handgun.

In 2018, Gunn was initially given the opportunity for “Superman”, but he chose to work on “The Suicide Squad” first, which better matched his previous work on “The Guardians of the Galaxy”. He found the prospect of modernizing a character perceived as outdated and making it relatable to contemporary audiences intriguing. Eventually, an epiphany struck him.

He discovered a tale that was remarkably relatable yet astonishingly extraordinary all at once.

Superman’s canine companion, Krypto, was partly shaped by his experiences of saving a troubled dog named Ozu. This dog would often run away from Superman, causing damage to his furniture and electronics. During video calls, Ozu would even lunge at Gunn’s feet, forcing him to flee to the safety of the kitchen counter. This led Superman to ponder: “What if my dog had superpowers, I’d be in deep trouble?

It appears that Krypto is poised to be the star attraction. In the footage, we see him licking a weakened Superman and carrying him to safety, then leading him to his icy fortress, known as the Fortress of Solitude. There, a team of robots attend to the injured hero. Once Superman recovers, Krypto, much like Ozu’s characters, constantly follows close behind Superman.

Krypto is expected to be the center of attention. In the footage, he can be seen licking a beaten-up Superman and then carrying him to safety, before taking him to his icy base, the Fortress of Solitude. There, robots tend to the injured hero. When Superman recovers, Krypto, like characters in an Ozu film, follows closely behind him.

In the new series, David Corenswet, famously recognized for his roles in “Hollywood” by Ryan Murphy, takes on Clark Kent/Superman’s character, while Rachel Brosnahan, known for her work in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” portrays Lois Lane. The ensemble also includes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, along with Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced.

At heart, these tales embody the potency of hope…and the struggle between righteousness and wickedness, which is a battle consistently worth engaging in,” Brosnahan conveyed to theater managers.

The performers felt privileged to portray characters that carried such cultural significance. However, not every actor secured the part they originally aimed for.

instead of playing the heroes, he could take on the role of the villains.

On July 11, 2025, “Superman” will make its appearance in cinemas. Meanwhile, Gunn had a bit of a mix-up regarding the name of the conference he attended; he seemingly combined the exhibition industry trade show with another San Diego event that caters to comic book enthusiasts and fans.

“I didn’t mean to demean CinemaCon — it’s much, much better than Comic-Con,” Gunn joked.

Careful James, or Ozu won’t be the only thing taking a chunk out of your shin.

Read More

2025-04-02 04:46