Summary
When it comes to the future of James Gunn’s new DCU, it all hinges on whether or not his upcomingSupermanmovie is a critical and commercial success. Thefirst teaser trailerdropped last week, and if the overwhelmingly positive response from the viewership alone is any indication, it sure looks like audiences are starting to re-engage with DC Comics on the big screen that doesn’tinvolve Batman.
By the timeSupermanhits theaters next July, it will have been 12 years since the last standalone film centered on one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history. While Zack Snyder’sMan of Steel,which starred Henry Cavill in the role is not without its fans, this interpretation of Kal-El, along with his subsequent appearances in DC Extended Universe projects failed to resonate with the general public in the same way that a superhero likeChris Evans’ Captain Americahas. Part of the struggle many filmmakers have had with adapting Superman stories to the big screen is to make this character, who seems to be near-invincible beyond the presence of Kryptonite, relatable to audiences. One of the biggest critiques lobbied against the character from his detractors is that he’s inherently uninteresting to follow due to his overwhelming abilities, making him unrelatable to the average person.
However, the first moment in the teaser trailer introduces audiences toDavid Corenswet’s Superman in a vulnerable state. We see him take a violent fall into the snow, and we hear him breathe in agony. From this first appearance alone, the beloved hero is at a low point without any Kryptonite present, immediately addressing many Superman detractors’ critiques regarding his abilities making him hard to relate to.
A Boy And His Dog
The moment in the trailer that has become the most viral element of this first official glimpse atSupermanis not even the titular hero himself, but rather one of his supporting players who will be making his live-action cinematic debut. In that same vulnerable position in the snow, Superman makes a whistling call, to which an obscured figure is shown barreling through the snow. It’s none other than Krypto, whom Superman, amidst all agonizing pain, simply asks to take him home. Krypto grabs Superman’s cape with his jaws, as perhapsthe true MVP of this first teaser trailer.
If James Gunn wanted the first teaser trailer forSupermantomake a significant impact on the internet, he succeeded. The trailer became the most-viewed trailer within a 24-hour debut in Warner Bros. history, and also broke into the top 5 biggest trailer debuts of all time, alongside the likes ofDeadpool & Wolverine, Spider-Man: No Way Home,andAvengers: Endgame.While some might attribute the trailer’s successful debut to audiences’ general interest in what this new DCU will bring, it’s possible to say that the introduction of Krypto might be the secret weapon in this whole affair.
Krypto Is The Key To All Of This
In the making-of documentaryStar Wars: The Phantom Menace,George Lucas infamously stated that “Jar Jar is the key to all of this.” Of course, Jar Jar Binks is one of the most universally hated characters in modern film history and has been subject to much derision among not justStar Warsfans, but the general moviegoing public. Lucas putting a massive emphasis onJar Jar inEpisode I,thinking that an annoying comic relief character that reflects negative racial stereotypes would be key to the film’s success was clearly wrongheaded.
Thankfully, James Gunn has a much better track record when introducing non-human characters brought to life with CGI. The most notable example is with hisGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy, in which audiences immediately fell in love with Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Also, in his first foray with DC,The Suicide Squadintroduced audiences to the endearing King Shark. Through hisTV shows likePeacemaker,we are introduced to Eagly, and with his latest effortCreature Commandos,we see perhaps the most tragic story Gunn has ever written inSeason 1 Episode 4, “Chasing Squirrels”which was centered on Weasel.
The love and care that Gunn brings to these characters are reflective of his self-professed love of animals. Gunn previously mentioned that adding Krypto to theSupermanscript was mostly inspired by the adoption of his dog Ozu, and fewer things in cinema will make audiences connect with a main protagonist than their beloved dog. After all, look at the entireJohn Wickfilm series.
Take Us Home, Krypto
In regards to Krypto’s role inSuperman,James Gunn has teased that what was shown in the trailer is only a small sample size of what he will bring to the movie. Gunn has said that, as cute as Superman’s dog may seem, he will pose plenty of problems - not just for our beloved titular hero, but for the overall story. One can only imagine the types of messesa super-powered Kryptonian dogwill bring to Metropolis.
It is unknown whether or not this version of Krypto will talk exclusively like a normal dog, or will eventually speak English like in iterations seen in his own animated series, or inDC League of Super-Pets,in which Dwayne Johnson gave him his voice. Whatever choice James Gunn ultimately makes, he’s shown success with animal characters on both ends of this spectrum. Rocket Raccoon is one of the most quotable characters in the MCU, and Weasel, while not having any dialogue of his own, is endearing thanks to his tragic backstory.
With seven months to go beforeSupermanhits theaters, the marketing campaign has some work to do when it comes to engaging audiences with not just this new film, buta brand new DCU altogether. Thankfully, the first teaser trailer is a solid foundation to build from, and if James Gunn wants audiences to fall in love with David Corenswet’s Superman, he’s likely found the key ingredient in accomplishing that with Krypto. Much like what we see in the trailer, perhaps this fluffy Superdog will be the one to take audiences home to the cinematic universe that DC fans truly deserve.
Superman
Cast
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.' rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”
