Watching David Corenswet tearful and battered in the Superman trailer, fans believe James Gunn might be hinting at a potential loss of character.

DC fans have been in constant hype since the release of the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman, in 2024. Coming up with fan theories and looking for possible hints, netizens lauded the trailer with praise. Meanwhile, one theory suggested the possible loss of an integral character, based on David Corenswet’s tears in the trailer.

David Corenswet in a still from James Gunn’s Superman | image: DC Studios, Warner Bros.

Considering how David Corenswet’s Superman appeared battered, tired and teary-eyed at the beginning of the trailer, netizens claimed that this could be a possible hint of his character undergoing loss. This led several fans to suggest possible characters—based on comics—who might have died during the extraterrestrial fight.

Fan theory hints at a possible loss in James Gunn’s Superman trailer 

Ever since the release of James Gunn‘s Superman trailer, fans have been raving about it, while praising the director’s vision for bringing a fresh take on the iconic superhero. Further, hailing David Corenswet’s performance as the new Superman, taking over Henry Cavill’s mantle, netizens noted how his strong and emotional performance delved into the deeper side of the beloved character.

But surprisingly, James Gunn’s Superman trailer not only impressed viewers but also got them buzzing with theories about the plot and characters. @DCU_Updates seemingly dissected every frame of the 2-minute-long trailer, trying to uncover hidden clues. The X user seems to have found an interesting detail surrounding David Corenswet’s initial scene in the teaser, which hints and a possible heartbreaking loss in the film.

David Corensset as Superman | image: DC Studios, Warner Bros.

Apparently, this theory originated from the initial scene in the trailer where David Corenswet‘s Superman fell to the chilling icy ground, looking battered, exhausted, and with tears in his eyes. While the tears could signify his physical pain or the emotional struggles after his possible defeat, fans believe it actually holds a deeper meaning—a possible hint at the loss of someone close to him.

Netizens try to figure out the reason behind David Corenswet’s tears

A still from James Gunn’s Superman | image: DC Studios, Warner Bros.

Following this report, netizens in the comment section tried figuring out the possible character who might have faced their end, leading to David Corenswet’s teary-eyed appearance. Now, since the film is said to be based on the comic All-Star Superman, @MestreRiedel616 noted that the loss could be hinting at Pa Kent’s fatal heart attack, shortly after the beginning of his son’s career as a superhero.

Meanwhile, @joooooshia noted that Superman’s tears might be due to the loss of DC’s robot caretaker, Kelex. Claiming that the first scene might have happened after the events in the fortress, the X user suggested a possible twist in sequence chronology, to build up the hype.

The first pic is possibly adapting the moment in All-Star Superman and a very similar moment in Superman: Brainiac where Superman is fighting a threat (The Chronovore in All-Star and Brainiac in the Brainiac storyline) and Pa Kent has a fatal heart attack while they fight

— Marcel Riedel (@MestreRiedel616) January 19, 2025

Could this be after whatever happens in the fortress? He's crying over that robot too.

— Josiah Myrick (@joooooshia) January 20, 2025

Imagine your whole life never feeling pain, then getting beat to a pulp, you’d cry too

— itconor (@itconor) January 20, 2025

I think he has never had his ass whopped until this

— Sbdc1939 (@Sbdc1939) January 19, 2025

I mean clearly happens after the fortress of solitude is invaded

— Drek (@drek77107) January 19, 2025

Thereafter, amid fans’ excitement and theories about the possible loss of a significant character in the upcoming movie, a few users noted that the tears might simply point at the fact that Superman was battered. Claiming that even a superhero can feel defeated at such moments, netizens supported James Gunn for tapping into the character’s vulnerable and emotional side.

Superman will fly into the theaters on July 11, 2025.