Summary
The first trailer forSupermanhas fans abuzz with hope and excitement about James Gunn’s upcoming reboot, but there’s also a lot of criticism about the trailer that no one was expecting, and a recent report might explain why.
Supermanhas been a big deal since before it even had a script, as fans knew that a reboot of the DCEU by Gunn and DC Studios co-head Peter Safran couldn’t get off the ground without facing the Man of Steel head-on. There was no surprise and tons of excitement when the project was confirmed, not just as part of the first slate of films from the newly reborn franchise but as the first one to boot. Fans waited eagerly as the film went through all the stages of pre-production and filming, eventually being rewarded for their patience with a teaser and then a full-onSupermantrailer. In addition toproving Superman doubters wrong with record-setting trailer views, the footage also set fan discussion on the project into overdrive.
While many fans agree that the recently released trailer is one ofthe bestSupermantrailers in a stacked lineup, others had a bone to pick with a surprising aspect of the showcase: the visuals. After the trailer’s release, several internet denizens lodged varying complaints that boiled down to a distaste for the way the colors came across in the trailer footage. While this perplexed other groups of viewers, a recent report fromComicbookmight hold the key to understanding the disparity. To sum up the issue, it all comes down to the technical specs of the device on which you’re viewing the trailer. WithSupermanrepresenting a new start for the character, franchise, and even the next phase of Gunn’s filmmaking career, the DC Studios head seems to have held nothing back with the technology used in filming and producing the movie. As a result, the perceived visual fidelity of the footage comes down to just how much of the shiny new tech behind it your device can actually handle.
After some testing, the write-up also offered a fairly reasonable inference: the film is being made for 4K-8K viewing. This makes sense, as this tech will become the standard for consumers over the next few years and will future-proof the film as much as it is possible at the moment. However, for now, there are still tons of devices in circulation that don’t meet those lofty viewing requirements, and eventhe latest generation of consoles only use 8K on select titles. If you thought the trailer looked strange, then odds are you need to watch it again somewhere other than your phone.
If this is the case for everyone, then the comments concerning the color and saturation of the film should die down over the coming days and weeks as social media disseminates the information to fans. Ironically, the idea that Gunn’sSupermanis too vibrant is the polar opposite complaint fans had when Zack Snyder was at the helm. Back then, everyone rightfully pointed out thatSnyder’sSupermanwas missing some of the character’s most important qualities, and the muted, dull colors seemed to play into that darker, more cynical tone. The visuals, to summarize a vast ocean of complaints about Snyder’s chosen style, didn’t radiate the hope and optimism that Superman is supposed to represent to the fans. While fans remember him fondly now, this was also a general criticism of Henry Cavill’s portrayal under Snyder’s direction. Those creative decisions were lauded by a section of the fanbase, and for the people who legitimately enjoyed the dark, gritty look for the Man of Steel, Gunn’s project probably won’t look much better on a nicer screen. However, for most fans, it’ll be a cheery thing to see the trailer properly.
Color controversy aside, the response to the trailer has been largely positive, especially in view of DC’s still-fresh run of absolute failure with the tail end of the Snyderverse and the general malaise that’s taken hold of the genre for a good while now. With Marvel’s next few big-budget projects not looking too surefire at the moment,Supermancould be the start of a turning of the tides in the comic book adaptation space. With theater-quality footage and even IMAX on the cards, there’s little chance that the color complaints will remain on the premiere. Fans can look forward to seeing the film as Gunn intended when it hits theaters in 2025, and theywon’t even have to fish for Easter eggs in theSupermanpost-credits.
Supermanis set for theatrical release on Jul 15, 2025.
Superman
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.”
