‘Superman’ First Reactions Heap Praise on James Gunn’s DCU Opener

July 8, 2025

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The summer of Superman is finally upon us and, with the review embargo now lifted, we finally know if all the waiting, all the hype, all the discourse, and all the marketing, was worth it. Written and directed by Guardians of the Galaxy’s James Gunn and starring relative newcomer David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Superman marks the beginning of the newly recalibrated DCU on the big screen. So, will we be looking up in awe, or looking down in misery? Let’s find out…

Audiences hated the contentious scene, which had to be deleted after the test screening’s incensed reactions.

“‘Superman’ soars with heart, humor, and style—a bold yet faithful take on the iconic hero,” one critic wrote on X/Twitter. “James Gunn sets a fresh tone while honoring the character’s legacy, and David Corenswet shines with sincerity and strength. A promising, thrilling start to DC’s new era.”

“David Corenswet portrays an exceptional iteration of [Superman] with sincerity, heroism, purity, and inspirational traits,” said another. “Corenswet & Rachel Brosnahan’s chemistry for Clark and Lois is off the charts.”

“SUPERMAN: Gosh, I absolutely loved this,” another reaction began. “James Gunn’s feature-length comic book splash page is so unapologetically silly, earnest, and intentionally corny that it utterly charmed me. Left a big, stupid smile on my face by the end.”

‘Superman’ Lands in Theaters on July 11

David Corenswet suited up as the new DCU's Man of Steel in James Gunn's Superman — Warner Bros. Pictures

However, not everyone was as enamored, with another reaction saying, “Not the super start to the DC Universe everybody had been hoping for. James Gunn is brilliant at conjuring spectacle and creating alien realms, not so great at storytelling.”

But, this is Superman, so we shall bring things back to a happier, more hopeful place. “#Superman made me so damn happy,” said another critic. “The movie is loaded with exhilarating action set pieces and well-placed humor and levity, but the beating heart of the film is Superman’s humanity, and his insistence on doing good and making the world a better place.”

Written, directed, and co-produced by James Gunn (the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), Superman stars David Corenswet (Twisters, Hollywood) in the iconic role of Superman/Clark Kent alongside Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the X-Men movies, Nosferatu) as Lex Luthor.

The comic book outing also stars Edi Gathegi (For All Mankind), Anthony Carrigan (Barry, Gotham), Nathan Fillion (The Suicide Squad), Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), Skyler Gisondo (Licorice Pizza, Booksmart), Sara Sampaio (At Midnight), María Gabriela de Faría (The Moodys), Wendell Pierce (Selma, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Alan Tudyk (Andor), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Bird Box), and Neva Howell (Greedy People). Superman is scheduled to land in theaters on July 11, 2025, and you can check out the official synopsis below.

“Superman, DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. Written and directed by James Gunn (the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), the filmmaker brings his signature style to the original superhero as he crafts a newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.”