James Gunn’s “Superman” is set to premiere on July 8, 2025, and this iteration of the iconic Man of Steel carries significant expectations. This film is intended to launch the new DC Universe on screen, while also acknowledging the superhero’s rich on-screen legacy. Looper’s recap video provides everything you need to know about Superman before diving into the upcoming movie.

Henry Cavill was the last actor to portray Superman on the big screen. Films directed by Zack Snyder, including “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Justice League,” sparked debate among critics and comic book enthusiasts, yet amassed more than two billion dollars collectively. Since Superman’s cameo in “Black Adam” in 2022, Cavill’s portrayal has not been featured, as he will not return. Instead, Gunn introduces a new Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet, generating increasing anticipation among fans.

The buzz surrounding the film is evident in the impressive ticket presales for “Superman,” which have reached $10 million over two weeks before its official release. Varied forecasts suggest the movie might earn between $90 and $145 million during its opening weekend. This promising beginning for “Superman” also holds importance for other characters relying on the film’s success.

“Superman” is the first movie in James Gunn’s DCU, and we already know that the film is going to introduce quite a few characters who already exist in this universe. The “Superman” trailer was filled with heroes and villains like Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and the Green Lantern known as Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), with other DC Comics personalities entering the fray as well.

When it comes to how those characters will factor into the overall plot, we really don’t know much. The movie’s official description on IMDb vaguely reads, “Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way, he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.”

What seems clear is that Gunn’s “Superman” is going to be brighter, zanier, and quite a bit funnier than the last version of the character we saw on the big screen. The movie’s trailers are full of bright colors and cheeky jokes, which is in line with what Gunn’s fans have come to expect from his superhero movies. Now the question is whether or not that new take on the character will please audiences enough to launch the DCU to success. In the meantime, watch our video and get up to speed on everything you need to know about the last son of Krypton.