“Superman: ”All About the Reboot of the 1978 Superhero Classic (and the New Face Wearing the Cape!)

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a new Superman movie!

The iconic superhero is soaring back to the big screen as director James Gunn and DC Studios gear up for the release of a brand-new Superman movie in July 2025. This marks a fresh chapter for the franchise, with Henry Cavill stepping away from the titular role and officially passing on the cape.

In April 2023, the director teased to Variety that the hunt for the new Man of Steel and Lois Lane was on and that the new Superman had to be someone with "humanity," and also be "somebody who you want to give a hug." David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan were later announced as the leads, with Gunn praising his new Clark Kent during a special trailer preview event in December 2024, saying he has "such Superman face."

Related: All the Actors Who Have Played Superman on Screen

"The thing I think that connects him so much in some ways to Christopher Reeve is he has a lot of deep training," he said. "I've never worked in my entire life with such a rigorous actor. He challenged me on a daily basis to really get the most out of his character, get the most out of his story."

Gunn added, "Everything he does in the movie is utterly true. You don't ever have a moment even watching dailies where you go, 'David did something that feels stupid, that doesn't feel real, that feels like he's faking it or he's phoning it in.' Never."

From the cast to the release date, here’s everything to know about Superman.

Who is in the cast of Superman?

In June 2023, Corenswet and Brosnahan were officially cast as Superman and Lois Lane, respectively. While Corenswet is best known for his roles on The Politician and Hollywood, Brosnahan gained critical acclaim for her starring role on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which wrapped its final season in May 2023.

Nicholas Hoult (X-Men) joins the movie's cast as Superman's nemesis, Lex Luthor, and Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) steps into the role of Jimmy Olsen.

Meanwhile, Isabela Merced (Transformers: The Last Knight) portrays Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion (Castle) stars as Green Lantern and Sara Sampaio (At Midnight) takes on the role of Eve Teschmacher.

In February 2024, Gunn posted a cast photo from a table read on Instagram with the caption, "Eve, Mr. Terrific, Superman/Clark, Otis, Lex, producer Peter Safran, Jimmy, Metamorpho, Lois, Hawkgirl, me, Guy, The Engineer all together for the first time!"

Other stars pictured in the cast photo include Anthony Carrigan (Barry), Edi Gathegi (For All Mankind), Terence Rosemore (Haunted Mansion) and Maria Gabriela de Faria (Deadly Class).

Who is directing Superman?

The new Superman film, which was previously titled Superman: Legacy, will be directed and written by Gunn, who previously helmed DC Comics’ The Suicide Squad as well as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. He is working alongside producer and studio executive Peter Safran.

Related: Who Is James Gunn’s Wife? All About Jennifer Holland

Is there a trailer for Superman?

The trailer for Superman was released on Dec. 19 and offered a first glimpse into the action-packed film. The clip opens dramatically with Superman lying battered and bloodied in the middle of a desolate snowy landscape, shifting back-and-forth showing Clark Kent in day-to-day life as a reporter at the newspaper The Daily Planet. Superman whistles to Krypto to come rescue him, and upon arrival he tells the dog to take him home.

Throughout the trailer, there are few words other than those chanting "Superman," — but the Man of Steel is quietly in action, fighting off enemies and saving children.

Tension also builds between him and Louis, and the two share a few steamy kisses, including one mid-air.

Why is Henry Cavill not reprising his role as Superman?

Gunn posted on X (formerly Twitter) in 2022 that the film was set to focus on "an earlier part of Superman's life," hence his search for a new actor.

“I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone,” Cavill wrote on Instagram in December 2022 when he announced he wouldn’t be returning as Superman. “My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will.”

“After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life,” he continued. “The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.”

What will Superman be about?

Safran previously stated that the new film “focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.” He added, “Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”

While Gunn has kept specific details quiet, he shared on Threads in November 2024 that it wouldn't be a Superman origin story because "everyone already knows them" — and Variety reported in December 2022 that the script would focus on "the character’s life as a cub reporter in the fictional city of Metropolis.”

In July 2023, Gunn teased on Threads that the reboot would be set in a universe "where superheroes exist and have existed for quite a while."

More recently, he teased in a video on X in December 2024 that it's a story about "humanity" and "what it means to be a hero in a world that doesn't always make it easy to be one."

When did Superman finish filming?

According to Gunn's Instagram, filming wrapped at the end of July 2024. The director shared a photo from the first week of shooting in Svalbard, Norway, writing, "It has been an honor."

"The destination has been Superman, but the journey has been the toil and the laughter and the emotions and ideas and magic we’ve shared together on set - and for that I am forever grateful," he wrote.

Nearly two weeks earlier, Gunn shared a heartfelt message to Cleveland, Ohio on Instagram after "six amazing weeks of shooting."

"From the moment we first came here on a scout a tad less than a year ago and Terminal Tower was lit up with the colors of Superman, I knew you were a special place. I would walk down your streets and someone would stop me and tell me how grateful they were we were shooting in their city - not once, not twice, but dozens of times," he wrote. "The pride you feel in being where Jerry and Joe first created Superman was invigorating. You exemplify his spirit."

"But just as much it’s the pride you have in your community, your hometown, your radio stations and restaurants and gathering places that touched me," Gunn added. "You simply couldn’t have been more wonderful, kind, or accommodating to me and our performers and crew."

When will Superman be released?

Superman is slated to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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