Superman release date – Latest news for James Gunn's DC movie

The footage gives fans a look at David Corenswet as the titular Man of Steel, a role which was of course previously portrayed by Henry Cavill.

Cavill first played the part in 2013's Man of Steel, but after some toing and froing as DC changed plans for its cinematic universe, Cavill posted on Instagram to say: "I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it's sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman.

"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. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build."

Meanwhile, Gunn said on Twitter (now X): "In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman's life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill.

"But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future."

Gunn also told Deadline once the new film had been announced that he didn't "fire" Cavill because he had never been cast in the film in the first place.

He explained: "We didn’t fire Henry. Henry was never cast. He was in a cameo, and that was the end of his story. A lot of people made assumptions which weren’t true. But, for me, it’s about who do I want to cast as Superman and who do the filmmakers want to cast?

"For me, for this story, it isn’t Henry. I like Henry. He’s a great guy. I think he’s gotten d***ed around by a lot of people, including former regimes of this company. But this Superman isn’t Henry for a number of reasons."

The trailer also shows Corenswet sporting the Superman's iconic red trunks, which Zack Snyder famously axed during Cavill's tenure.

Gunn previously told press (via Gizmodo) that he was "on the no trunks team for a long time" – until he spoke to Corenswet, who was himself in support of sporting the trunks.

"He’s an alien," he said. "He’s got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes… He’s this incredibly powerful, could be considered scary, individual and he wants people to like him.

"He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity. So he dresses like a professional wrestler.

"He dresses in a way that makes people unafraid of him, that shows that hope, that shows that positivity. And that really clicked in for me.

"I think trying to pretend that Superman’s costume doesn’t have some frivolity to it at its base, trying to make it look serious, is silly because he is a superhero," Gunn added. "He’s the first one, brightly-coloured, and that’s who he is."

The new trailer also gives fans a look at other cast members including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Speaking about working on the superhero movie, Hoult recently told Deadline: "I’m a fan of Superman and Lex Luthor as a character, so hopefully we’ve done something special with it that people enjoy.

"I just loved working with James Gunn. I think he’s an incredible director and has such a great sense of that world, that story, those characters. I just put my trust in him."

Read on for everything we know so far about Superman.

Superman release date

Superman will officially arrive in cinemas on 11th July 2025, meaning there's less than a year for fans to wait until they get to see the Man of Steel on the big screen once again.

The film will come after two TV projects on Gunn and Safran's slate - Creature Commandos and Waller - and will, according to Safran, really be the "launch of the DCU".

The film wrapped production back in July, with Gunn with revealing the news on X (formerly Twitter).

Alongside a photo of the cast and crew from the first week of shooting, he wrote: "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."

Filming began on the project in February, when Gunn announced that it was officially changing titles as well.

"Overjoyed to be announcing the start of principal photography on SUPERMAN today, February 29, which just so happens to be – coincidentally and unplanned – Superman’s birthday (!)," he said.

"When I finished the first draft of the script, I called the film Superman: Legacy. By the time I locked the final draft, it was clear the title was SUPERMAN. Making our way to you July 2025. Happy Birthday, Clark! UpUpAndAway"

Who will star in Superman?

As detailed above, David Corenswet (The Politician) will be appearing in the title role.

Speaking about the physical transformation he underwent for the role, Corenswet said on episode 27 of the Manly Things (Sort Of) podcast: "I wasn’t 238 (pounds) when we started shooting. I was 238 at my max. I didn’t fit into any of my pants."

He added: "That was at the peak of my bulk. And then I slowly lost weight before we started shooting. I started shooting at about 228, 230… I know I wanted this to be my excuse to see what it felt like to gain essentially as much weight as I could."

Gunn has been bullish about Corenswet's Superman/ Clark Kent, previously telling The Hollywood Reporter: "Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, David Corenswet is going to freak everyone out with how great he is. He is one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with, and he can do everything. The man is incredible."

Meanwhile, Nicholas Hoult has been cast as Lex Luthor, while Milly Alcock is set to star as Supergirl.

Meanwhile, Rachel Brosnahan has been cast as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will be Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion will play a Green Lantern and Wendell Pierce will play Perry White.

Skyler Gisondo has also been cast as Jimmy Olsen, with Gunn previously taking to X (formerly Twitter) to offer a first look at the character.

"Happy Anniversary to Superman’s pal, Jimmy Olsen, who debuted on this day in 1941 (although he did appear earlier as 'office boy' in Action Comics 6)," Gunn wrote in the post. "Created by Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster & Bob Maxwell. I can’t wait for you to see @SkylerGisondo’s portrayal in #Superman on July 11, 2025. @dcofficial @superman."

And loads more actors have also now been confirmed for roles, with roles for Neva Howell as Martha Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent, and Beck Bennett, Mikaela Hoover and Christopher McDonald all playing reporters in the Daily Planet newsroom.

What will Superman be about?

We know very little about the plot of Superman at this point. What we do know is that the film will be written by James Gunn and that it will, according to DC's Twitter (now X) page, "focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing".

Gunn's recent X post also suggested that the superhero's parents will be heavily involved in the film.

In a video posted to the site, Gunn explained that the film would be the "true beginning of the DCU", and that he is currently "having a great time" writing the script.

Meanwhile, Gunn and Safran also released some additional details on the film together, with Safran saying: "(This) is really the launch of the DCU. The first two projects are an amuse-bouche for what’s coming up with Superman: Legacy.

"James is currently writing it. We’re hoping that he will direct it. It’s not an origin story. It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned."

Meanwhile, Gunn added: "With our stories, we want to take it away from good guy vs bad guy. There are really good – almost saintly – people, and Superman is among them. There are really terrible villains like Gorilla Grodd or the Joker. And then there’s everybody in between them, so there are all these shades of grey which allow us to tell complex stories."

Is there a trailer for Superman?

Yes, watch below:

You can also watch James Gunn's announcement video, running through the first chapter of projects in the DCU, which is below:

Superman will be released in cinemas on 11th July 2025.

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