James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Trailer Soars at CinemaCon — and It’s Krypto the Superdog Who Steals the Spotlight
The dawn of a new era in the DC Universe has officially arrived. At CinemaCon 2025, James Gunn unveiled a first look at his highly anticipated Superman, and by all accounts, it was everything fans hoped for — bold, hopeful, and packed with heart. But amid the flying capes and crashing buildings, one surprise scene-stealer emerged: Superman’s loyal companion, Krypto the Superdog.
Taking the stage in Las Vegas, Gunn introduced footage from his upcoming reboot with a clear vision: to bring brightness and emotional depth back to DC’s flagship hero. “This is a movie that celebrates kindness and human love,” he told the packed auditorium of theater owners.
The trailer delivered just that — soaring visuals, a vintage red, white, and blue color palette, and the familiar image of Superman saving civilians from catastrophe. But it also added something fresh: a more grounded, emotionally rich Superman, played by David Corenswet (Hollywood), and a sharp, capable Lois Lane portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).
Also featured was Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, menacing and armed with what appeared to be a Kryptonite-powered weapon, teasing a showdown that promises both action and psychological warfare.
But the real emotional gut-punch — and comedic highlight — came courtesy of Krypto.
Inspired by Gunn’s own real-life rescue dog, Ozu, Krypto plays a critical role in the trailer, rescuing an injured Superman, dragging him to the Fortress of Solitude, and nudging him back to strength while a team of robotic medics gets to work. Later, Krypto is seen nipping at Superman’s heels, full of energy and loyalty — a perfect canine sidekick with superpowered sass.
Gunn joked about Krypto’s inspiration:
“What if my dog had superpowers? I’d be screwed.”
With humor, heart, and a clear emotional arc, the new Superman appears to be leaning far away from the darker, brooding tone of previous DC films, and more into the timeless ideals of hope and heroism.
“These stories are about the power of hope and the fight for good to conquer evil,” Brosnahan said during the presentation. “That’s always worth fighting for.”
The cast also includes Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced, rounding out a lineup Gunn says was handpicked not just for talent, but for their ability to connect with audiences in “utterly human” ways.
As for Hoult, he admitted that Superman wasn’t his first assignment — or even his second.
“I auditioned for Batman and Superman. I didn’t get either,” he revealed, laughing. “James said, ‘How about Lex Luthor?’ And now here I am.”
Gunn closed the presentation with a comedic mix-up, jokingly referring to CinemaCon as Comic-Con before quickly backpedaling:
“I didn’t mean to demean CinemaCon — it’s much, much better than Comic-Con.”
With high-flying action, a heartfelt narrative, and an unexpectedly lovable canine hero, Superman may be the reset DC fans have been waiting for.
Superman opens in theaters July 11, 2025.