Summary
First impressions are important and that can be said about trailers for superhero movies such as theSupermanfranchise. The iconic DC hero has had many movies with filmmakers delivering the character in various styles, which means that every trailer has had to lure audiences to the theater in different ways.
Some trailers worked better than others thanks to their clever editing or simply providing a nice taste of what audiences can expect when they walk into the theater on opening day and onward. Even the Superman movies that did not turn out as well featured trailers that caught people’s attention.
Despite the movie’s controversial choices, the initial concept forBatman V Superman: Dawn Of Justicehad fans excited. It was the first time that Superman and Batman shared the screen together and the first trailer had many hooked, between the impressive first look at Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman and showing off the much darker story in which Superman is hated and loved by Earth.
It is clear that Zack Snyder wanted to show off Batman the most, but the visual of Superman hovering over the Dark Knight in the sky to tease their epic battle is a nice way to lure audiences in, as many schoolyard conversations began with the question of which superhero would win in a fight.
Context is important when it comes toZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguebecause the 2017 movie was a butchered film as the result of studio-enforced reshoots and edits that ruined what Zack Snyder had planned after they fired him. However, thanks to years of campaigning by fans, including people who did notcare for the DC Extended Universe, the director was able to finish his original vision.
When the first trailer forZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguedropped, it showed off far superior visuals, teases of the over three hours of new footage, and a much better look at Henry Cavill’s Superman. Superman was considered laughable due to the reshoots in the 2017 version meant to appeal to children, while the 2021 version gave fans the resurrected powerhouse in the black suit.
The visual of Superman flying is an important aspect of the character and Richard Donner’s originalSuperman: The Moviemade that a major part of its advertising. The trailer mostly focuses on Krypton’s destruction and Clark Kent’s arrival on Earth, saving the Superman reveal until over halfway through. However, the reveal features multiple shots of Christopher Reeve that are now iconic.
Even though the visual of Superman flying seems normal today, it was considered a revolutionary special effect back in 1978. This is why the main tagline for the film was, “You will believe a man can fly.” It was that idea that helped cement Christopher Reeve as a definitive portrayal of the character and wouldlater be a major box office successthat kicked off superhero movies.
After a long wait for another Superman movie, Zack Snyder’sMan Of Steelsurprised everyone with its dark and somber first teaser. Not only did it mostly show Clark Kent as a wandering Samaritan doing good for others with Jor-El’s voice-over, citing the quest for which he was brought to Earth, but it shows that it’s a much more grounded take on Superman’s origin.
Part of what helps the teaser stand out is its use of Howard Shore’s score fromThe Fellowship Of The Ringwhen the Fellowship mourns the loss of Gandalf. It is such a sad song to help show how bleakthe world Zack Snyder created is, but it’s also strangely uplifting when it shows a young Clark wearing a cape and then Superman breaking the sound barrier as he flies into the sky.
While a little spoiler-heavy, the third and final trailer forMan Of Steelshowcased the epic scale and scope of the film. It gives little taste of the Krypton prologue, Clark Kent wandering the Earth, becoming Superman, meeting General Zod, and parts of the final battle in Metropolis. After Superman Returns had little-to-no superhero scenes, Man Of Steel promised to bring that back.
To enhance the grandeur of the action sequencesthat feel straight out ofDragon Ball Z, the trailer revealed the then-new Superman theme by Hans Zimmer, featuring a more epic tone that stands out from the iconic John Williams theme while presenting something that fits Superman and would become just as famous.
The teaser for James Gunn’sSupermanfocuses on Superman being a beacon of hope and optimism in a world full of cynical superheroes and people. It shows off a lived-in and fantastical version of the DC Universe akin to comics, where superheroes are commonplace, as well as the new versions of Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and Superman hiding as the awkward Clark Kent.
There is a sense that Superman is a diamond in the rough, as shown by shots of a child calling out to him for help and scenes where he seems to have failed Metropolis. With theinclusion of aspects such as Kryptoand the other DC heroes such as Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern, fans are already excited about seeing the first true chapter of the DCU.
DespiteSuperman Returnsnot being the epic Superman movie fans hoped for, its marketing campaign effectively drew audiences in. The original teaser tapped into the nostalgia for the Christopher Reeve movies, slowly building up tothe grand reveal of Brandon Routhwith the swelling of the original John Williams theme that has become synonymous with the character.
Superman and Clark Kent are reserved for the shadows and backside shots, mostly focusing on the bright and warm locations mixed with well-made sets. While theSuperman Returnsteaser has nostalgia bait, it also showcases that it would bring something different aside from a new face for Superman himself. It all pays off when Brandon Routh is revealed, flying off just like the first reveal of Christopher Reeve.
