James Gunn's Superman movie: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more news on the first DCU Chapter One film

Here's what we know about James Gunn's Superman movie ahead of its highly anticipated release in July.

Feb 11, 2025 - 16:37

James Gunn's Superman movie: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more news on the first DCU Chapter One film

Superman's DCU movie: key information

- Launching worldwide in mid-July
- First DCU Chapter One movie that'll be released
- DC Studios co-head James Gunn on co-writing and directing duties
- First teaser trailer unveiled last December
- Full cast confirmed
- Short story synopsis revealed
- Will draw inspiration from multiple DC comic storylines
- Leaked set photos tease aspects of its plot
- Could set up future DCU projects

Happy Superman release year, everyone! The legendary DC superhero is set to take flight in theaters once more on July 11, so there's no time like the present to learn more about one of 2025's most exciting new movies.

In this guide, I've rounded up the biggest news and rumors about the Man of Steel's return. That includes the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) film's first trailer, confirmed cast, story specifics, and how it might impact and/or set up future DCU Chapter One projects. Potential cast and plot spoilers follow, so proceed with caution if you're avoiding them ahead of release.

Superman release date

Look Up. #Superman #FilmedForIMAX @IMAXSign up to get Fan First updates on all things DC Studios at https://t.co/XbE8mYnZBw pic.twitter.com/X6u2MfpQbWDecember 16, 2024

Superman will fly onto a screen near you on July 11. Its official launch date was revealed in January 2023 when Gunn confirmed the DCU Chapter One's full movie and TV show line-up.

With filming wrapping last July, its post-production phase is in full swing. And, while its final cut hasn't been finalized, Gunn told ComicBook.com that its current runtime is around two and a half hours.

Superman trailer

Superman's first trailer made its debut in December 2024 and, while it teased plenty, the teaser's inclusion of Krypto the Superdog was the one thing I obsessed over for days after its unveiling.

The arrival of Superman's official teaser wasn't unexpected. Indeed, Gunn confirmed Superman's first footage would arrive on the previously mentioned date three days before its release. We were also treated to a 30-second teaser for Superman that made us believe that a man could really fly before it was, too.

Superman cast: confirmed and rumored

Lex Luthor holding a handgun in 2025's Superman movie — Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor in 2025's Superman film (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

Potential spoilers follow for 2025's Superman film.

Here's the lengthy confirmed cast list for Superman so far:

David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern
Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific
Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho
Maria Gabriela de Faria as Angela Spica/The Engineer
Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher
Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonatan 'Pa' Kent
Neva Howell as Martha 'Ma' Kent
Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord
Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen
Wendell Pierce as Perry White
Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe
Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
Terence Rosemore as Otis

Corenswet is the latest actor tasked with bringing Clark Kent/Krypton's most famous son to life in a live-action project. Brosnahan will play Kent's perpetual love interest and fellow Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane.

Hoult, who reportedly accepted the role of Lex Luthor in November 2023 before his official casting was announced days later, will play Luthor, one of Superman's most iconic adversaries. Despite Superman's first-look image teasing the potential appearance of another big villain, Gunn confirmed (via Threads) that Luthor will be the film's Big Bad. He'll be joined on antagonistic duties by Teschmacher (Sampaio), aka Luthor's assistant and love interest in the comics, and a henchman named Otis (Rosemore).

Pierce has reportedly been cast as Perry White, the Daily Planet's tough but fair editor-in-chief. Gisondo is on board as Jimmy Olsen, the Daily Planet's photographer and friend to Kent and Lane. Bennett, Hoover, and McDonald round out the Daily Planet's roster as self-serving sports reporter Lombard, gossip columnist Grant, and general journalist Troupe respectively.

Ordinarily a Wonder Woman villain, Maxwell Lord will also make a brief appearance. Sean Gunn, James' brother and frequent collaborator playing him, but he won't be based on previous live-action iterations of the character (per The Wrap). Lastly on the non-superhero front, Vince and Howell will play Clarke's surrogate parents Jonathan and Martha Kent.

The suits are out!