The highly anticipated trailer for James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy has arrived, offering fans their first glimpse into the director’s bold new vision for the DC Universe. Yet, despite the excitement surrounding the trailer’s release, the early reactions have been less than stellar. In fact, many are left wondering: What have they done to Superman?
While it’s fair to acknowledge that new takes on superheroes often come with the territory of endless reboots and reinventions, the latest Superman film is raising more eyebrows than it should. This film, under the stewardship of former Guardians of the Galaxy mastermind James Gunn, promises to be a marked departure from the dark and brooding tone of the previous DC Universe. However, based on the trailer, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this new approach might just be too much.
1) It’s so self-consciously james gunn
The most glaring issue with the trailer is the overwhelming presence of James Gunn’s signature style. Right from the outset, the film bears all the hallmarks of Gunn’s previous works. Retro titles reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy flood the screen, and an Eighties rock guitar rendition of the Superman theme plays over the visuals. While the intention is likely to inject a sense of fun and irreverence, it feels as though Gunn is trying a little too hard to stamp his personality on the film. The garishness of it all—a hallmark of Gunn’s work—makes it feel less like Superman, and more like Superman as imagined by James Gunn. Whether this will translate into a compelling take on the iconic character remains to be seen.
2) The CGI dog
Let’s talk about Krypto the dog. While the idea of incorporating the quirky, lovable canine sidekick is a bold move, the execution leaves much to be desired. The CGI is so bad, it’s distracting. Krypto drags Superman home by his cape in a scene that looks more like a poorly animated video game than a big-budget film. For a film that’s aiming to reintroduce Superman to the masses, this bizarre CGI moment serves as an unfortunate visual blemish. A real dog might have been a better option here. After all, it’s hard to take a hero seriously when his sidekick looks like a poor excuse for computer-generated imagery.
3) Luthorcorp
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor looks poised to offer something fresh, but there’s a problem: Luthorcorp, the iconic villain’s headquarters, looks utterly ridiculous. Gone are the gritty, underground lairs of past Luthor portrayals. Instead, we’re presented with a shiny, soulless skyscraper—the kind that’s more suited to a low-budget superhero knock-off than a mainline Superman film. While Hoult’s Luthor will undoubtedly bring his usual charm to the role, it’s hard to imagine much depth coming from the garish, cookie-cutter corporate setting.
4) A sass-less lois lane
Lois Lane, traditionally portrayed as a sassy, whip-smart investigative journalist, seems to have lost her edge in this rendition. The trailer presents her as little more than a love interest for Clark Kent, which is a missed opportunity. Rachel Brosnahan, who’s proven her comedic and dramatic chops in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, could have brought so much more to the role if given the chance. Instead, Lois is reduced to giving Clark a lingering gaze, followed by a kitchen kiss. It’s all very underwhelming, especially when compared to Margot Kidder’s fierce and fast-talking portrayal in the original films.
5) The war-torn country
Another curious choice in the trailer is the introduction of the fictional war-torn country of Boravia. Superman, the American hero, is presented as a saviour for a foreign nation struggling with internal conflict. While this offers some narrative weight, it feels rather forced. Why does Superman need to save a fictional country when he’s already the beacon of hope for the world? The inclusion of Boravia smacks of an attempt to make Superman seem more “global,” but it feels less like a compelling narrative and more like a politically charged subplot.
6) Mr. bowl-cut
Amidst the chaos, we’re introduced to Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern character with one of the worst haircuts ever seen in cinema. While comic book accuracy is important, there’s something comically absurd about sticking so rigidly to a style that’s bound to make audiences laugh. It’s hard to take a hero seriously when he looks like the love child of Harpo Marx and Curly from The Three Stooges.
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7) Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl’s appearance in the trailer is another head-scratcher. While Isabela Merced’s performance may well be solid, the visual design of Hawkgirl immediately evokes memories of the campy Flash Gordon film from the Eighties. Is this Superman trying to reinvent itself as a cheesy cult classic? It’s hard to say.
8) The Kaiju
And then, of course, there’s the kaiju. A massive fire-breathing monster terrorises the city, with Superman seemingly fighting it off. But haven’t we seen this before? This is a trope that’s been done to death in both superhero and sci-fi films, and it offers very little excitement. A Godzilla-esque baddie doesn’t exactly raise the stakes for a Superman film.
9) The dying robot
There’s also a dying robot, seemingly one that has cared for Kal-El since his arrival on Earth. It’s a confusing plot point and another element that doesn’t quite fit. Is this an attempt to replicate the emotional depth of Guardians of the Galaxy? Perhaps. But in the context of Superman, it just feels out of place.
10) Mister terrific
Finally, we’re introduced to Mister Terrific, whose name alone feels like a parody. While the character may be an interesting addition, his moniker does little to instil confidence. After all, what does a hero named Mister Terrific really do?
The trailer ends with the new DC Studios logo, signalling the beginning of a new era for the franchise. Whether this film marks a fresh direction for Superman remains to be seen, but for now, it’s safe to say that this new take on the iconic hero is proving to be cinematic kryptonite.
