July promises to be quite a remarkable month for cinema enthusiasts. With Jurassic World Rebirth premiering on July 4th, James Gunn’s Superman arriving the following week on July 9th, and The Fantastic Four hitting theaters on July 23rd, it’s safe to say we’ll be spending a lot of time in movie theaters. Meanwhile, let’s delve into the latest Superman trailer—a veritable spectacle, perhaps too revealing, allowing us to uncover some elements of its plot and one of its twists. Although James Gunn has shrouded certain secrets, they are, intriguingly, right before our eyes…
Released on May 14th, the second Superman trailer has garnered impressive views on YouTube, exceeding 21 million on DC’s official channel. Following the 60 million views of the initial December 2024 teaser, it’s clear the film has captured the public’s imagination. Recall that this James Gunn-directed Superman marks the beginning of a new DC Universe, envisioned over a decade. As customary, the second trailer has sparked divisive opinions among fans. On one side are proponents of the Snyder era, nostalgic for Henry Cavill’s dark, brooding portrayal, expressing skepticism and even disdain—a sentiment that has become somewhat of a sport. On the other side are those yearning for renewal, who appreciate Gunn’s brighter, more optimistic vision. This interpretation harks back to the earliest comic books and frankly, I believe it’s smart, as it distinctly sets itself apart from Zack Snyder’s dark aesthetic. It was the ideal strategy to avoid direct comparisons with Snyder’s work and Henry Cavill, even though David Corenswet bears a strong resemblance to Cavill.
SUPERHERO, YET HUMAN
However, James Gunn’s Superman is depicted as a vulnerable, profoundly human hero, diverging from the invincible, deity-like figure idolized in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. From the outset, he is shown wounded, sometimes bloodied, contrasting with the character’s traditional invincibility. This approach underscores Gunn’s intention to explore Superman’s human side, highlighting his inner struggles, identity crisis, and his role among humans. Moreover, there’s a pivotal exchange between Clark Kent and Lois Lane—a seemingly calm interview that turns intensely confrontational. Clark Kent passionately defends his perspective on Superman’s role, a markedly different take. Here, he is not an uncontested savior, but a man in a suit accountable for his actions. The interaction is terse, revealing Gunn’s intent to portray Superman as a luminous figure, yet constantly questioned, even by believers. Superman is also challenged for entering Boravie illegally, arguing it was to prevent a war.
Indeed, I am convinced that this territorial breach will be the focal point of the 2025 Superman storyline. James Gunn didn’t whimsically create Boravie. It appeared in the initial pages of the 1939 Superman comic book. Boravie is a small Central European kingdom nestled in the Alps, torn by civil war, providing a fitting backdrop to challenge the Man of Steel with the world’s harsh realities. An industrialist from Boravie orchestrates the theft of a toxic gas formula from an American scientist. Superman traverses the Atlantic, rescues innocents, imposes peace through force and principles, and returns to Metropolis—diplomacy according to Kal-El. However, these actions have repercussions, prompting Lex Luthor to act against Superman, seizing the opportunity to challenge him. Enter the Hammer of Boravie. Although glimpsed in the second trailer, the Hammer of Boravie was alluded to long before the new preview.
“IF I HAD A HAMMER…”
In fact, in one of the film’s brief promotional videos, the Hammer of Boravie appeared on the front page of the Daily Planet, featuring an article by Clark Kent accusing the armored monstrosity of violent destruction in Metropolis. The report suggested the attack was retaliation for Superman’s foreign intervention, resembling a diplomatically disguised super-conflict. This recalls the Avengers’ Ultron incident in Sokovia, the accords instituted by General Ross, which subsequently led to Civil War in the MCU. Currently, the mystery remains unsolved. Who truly hides behind the Hammer of Boravie? Its carefully guarded identity has fueled numerous theories online. Is it a puppet manipulated by Lex Luthor, a diversionary tactic to bolster his political image? Or a distorted version of a more cunning adversary like Ultra-Man? Many theorists suggest this villain, especially since he bears a “U” on his chest and possesses formidable power. For those unfamiliar, Ultraman first appeared in 1964’s Justice League of America #29, as one of the early incarnations of an “evil Superman,” deriving strength from kryptonite, which instead of harming him, empowers him. Within the Earth-3 universe, he leads the Crime Syndicate, a malevolent Justice League counterpart, seeking multiversal dominance. However, there won’t be a Multiverse initially—it’s apparent. Instead, James Gunn will surprise us differently—this is a spoiler-aware alert because if my theory holds, it might spoil the film’s core narrative.
Still with me? Aware of the potential spoilers? I am convinced that Supergirl is the one hidden beneath the Hammer of Boravie’s armor. Why her? We know the character will appear in the film, portrayed by Milly Alcock. Yet, she is notably absent from the trailers so far—not a single image, word, or recognizable silhouette. An oversight? Unlikely. A deliberate choice? Highly probable. What if the truth was hidden in plain sight, concealed by armor? Most likely the Hammer of Boravie. A black and gold armored threat capable of matching Superman’s raw power. The character can fly, discharge energy beams, and overpower Superman with one punch. It can’t be a steroid-enhanced human—it must be something else, something Kryptonian. Undoubtedly, it’s Supergirl.
“HEY COUSIN, DO YOU DANCE OR…”
Why would she wear this armor? And why would Superman’s cousin oppose him? Consider this: Kara Zor-El crash-lands on Earth, alone, confused, vulnerable. It’s not Clark who discovers her first, but Lex Luthor. He sees opportunity, transforming her into a living weapon, an immensely powerful, manipulatable being, still traumatized by her crash. He imprisons, molds, and controls her, crafting her into a geopolitical symbol—Boravie’s Hammer, a response to Kryptonian interference, posing as an independent vigilante. In reality, a Supergirl trapped under exoskeleton, stripped of identity, leveraged in an image war. Another detail supports my theory: Krypto. Prominent in the film, though usually in mythos, Krypto and Kara leave Krypton together, but their paths diverge in space. When Krypto reaches Earth, he follows genetic and emotional signals from his master. However, if Kara is trapped, her signals scrambled by Luthor’s tech, Krypto only has one other beacon: Clark Kent, or rather, Kal-El. He doesn’t seek Clark, but finds him. This makes Krypto not just a companion, but the initial connection between Clark and an invisible Kara. James Gunn enjoys subverting expectations, repurposing forgotten DC mythology elements for a contemporary, psychopolitical narrative. Rendering Supergirl invisible from the first Superman film, not through absence, but discreet storytelling, is a masterstroke. Milly Alcock’s promotional silence? Not negligence, but the plot twist itself..
What do you think of this theory? Personally, I love this direction and appreciate James Gunn’s vision. Visually, the trailer stands out with its vibrant colors and optimistic tone, diverging from the dark hues of previous adaptations. This aesthetic echoes the original comic spirit, aiming to reconnect with the character’s roots while modernizing for a contemporary audience. Superman’s colorful, purposely retro costume, complete with the iconic red trunks, pays homage to the character’s origins. This approach reverberates through Gunn’s direction: intimate when capturing Clark’s doubts, grandiose when showcasing the character’s visual prowess. The film promises a total spectacle, as the trailer unequivocally demonstrates: sky-high battles, massive Metropolis destruction, lasers, supersonic collisions, with impeccably executed special effects. James Gunn isn’t shy about employing bold visual tactics to imprint his unique signature on the film.
An element that immediately stands out is the use of wide-angle lenses, a technique imparting unique depth and perspective to the film. While potentially risky, it works magnificently here, emphasizing the characters’ and action scenes’ grandeur while lending the piece a distinctive charm. It’s an unconventional choice, but this visual effect seamlessly integrates into Gunn’s epic yet intimate universe, enhancing this Superman’s visual dimension. In short, our hopes are high, and we eagerly await July to see if James Gunn achieves his vision…
