The first teaser trailer for the DCU’s first movie, James Gunn’s Superman, has arrived. The new Superman teaser trailer gives DC fans their first look at David Corenswet’s Man of Steel in action and establishes the vibrant world of his Metropolis. This new take on DC’s oldest and most iconic superhero marks a distinct departure from his previous big-screen iteration, played by Henry Cavill in Man of Steel and other DCEU movies. Gunn’s vision of Superman has restored a sense of hope to the character and draws on some of the Man of Steel’s earliest comic book stories for inspiration.

The influence of Superman’s earlier comic book stories is made most obvious by the presence of Krypto the Superdog in the new trailer. However, other elements nod to Superman’s Golden Age stories, which are obscure enough to go largely unnoticed by fans. Looking to some of Superman’s earliest comic book adventures for inspiration is an excellent move on Gunn’s part, showing the writer/director is getting back to the character’s roots for this new movie, which has the daunting task of launching an entire cinematic universe. One particular blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in the new trailer recalls one of Superman’s very earliest stories from 1939, which could be a perfect point of reference for the DCU’s Superman.

Superman References a Golden Age Location

David Corenswet’s Superman is Flying Back to Boravia

One of the most powerful moments in the new Superman trailer comes from a young boy in a war zone. He is seen raising a flag with Superman’s “S” shield on it, then clutching the flagpole, repeating Superman’s name aloud as if calling out to his hero. A later shot shows Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor staring angrily at the boy on television, as he appears in a news report, now one of many calling Superman’s name. The news ticker at the bottom of the report reads “Boravian troops amassing at border.” Boravia is probably not a location many DC fans are familiar with, as it has only appeared twice in comics. It was last seen in a Blackhawk comic from 1958, but originally appeared in Superman #2 in 1939.

Boravia was last seen in a Blackhawk comic from 1958, but originally appeared in Superman #2 in 1939.

Superman #2 featured the Man of Steel in three separate stories — “The Redemption of Larry Trent,” “Superman Champions Universal Peace!” and “Superman and the Skyscrapers.” The second of these, “Superman Champions Universal Peace!,” saw Superman traveling to Boravia, which was a country locked in a bitter civil war. An arms dealer here had stolen the formula for a powerful poison gas created by an American scientist, which could even penetrate gas masks. Superman flew to Boravia to stop the formula from falling into the wrong hands.

While pursuing the arms dealer who had gotten a hold of the gas formula, Superman became embroiled in the civil war in Boravia. Soldiers from one side of the conflict captured the Man of Steel and attempted to kill him, only to find their weapons were useless against him. Upon escaping, Superman then destroyed the weapons being used by the country’s combatants. After recovering the formula and stopping the arms dealer, Superman took it upon himself to bring peace and ensure Boravia’s civil war was brought to an end. He interrupted a failing peace conference and threatened to bring down the building on the representatives from both sides of the conflict if a peaceful resolution was not reached — they soon overcame their differences.

‘Superman Champions Universal Peace!’ is a Perfect Inspiration for the DCU

This Early Superman Story Explores Superman’s Role in the Conflicts of Earth

“Superman Champions Universal Peace!” was one of the earliest examples of Superman being confronted with human warfare and involving himself in the conflict. It shows Superman, when faced with the horrors of war, choosing to become a force for peace. As the official synopsis for Gunn’s Superman states that the movie will focus on “Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing,” stories about the Man of Steel deciding how best to respond to the military/political struggles of Earth can offer a perfect window onto this inner conflict. Importantly, while this story showed Superman taking a stand against war, it also showed him pushing for those directly involved to decide their own terms for peace. While acting as an inspiring force, Superman did not overrule humanity’s right to determine their own destiny.

Importantly, while this story showed Superman taking a stand against war, it also showed him pushing for those directly involved to decide their own terms for peace.

The trailer for Superman includes one sequence in which an angry crowd appears to be protesting Superman, with one onlooker even throwing a can at him. Although the context for this scene is yet to be revealed, clearly the people of Earth have some strong feelings where Superman is concerned. While there are those who see him as a hero, some presumably don’t want an alien meddling in their affairs. Superman will evidently explore the Man of Steel’s struggle to find his place and his role on Earth. There is plenty of discussion of this topic in the comics for the film to draw upon, stretching all the way back to the earliest days of Superman’s life in print, as “Superman Champions Universal Peace!” clearly demonstrates.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.