This summer, Superman will grace the big screen in his very own film for the first time since 2013. In early 2023, director James Gunn announced the man of steel’s big-screen return. Within less than a week, the first teaser trailer became the most viewed Warner Brothers trailer of all time. Despite such a feat, many are skeptical of the film. It has a lot of pressure, as it is the first entry into DC’s (Detective Comics) brand-new cinematic universe, leaving the fan base more divided than ever. 

 Many are thrilled to jump back into Superman’s fantastical world. For the past few years, it has seemed DC was more interested in making Superman scary as opposed to faithfully adapting his comic book stories. He was not only the first superhero but also the first superhero to have a successful film on the big screen. Back in 1978, people fell in love with Christopher Reeve as he perfectly embodied the typical boy scout persona. It is clear from the trailer that the filmmakers are chasing that vision more so than the recent darker depictions of the character. 

 “[The movie] looks very amazing, and I really want to watch it,” Camryn Mcgrue, freshman, said. 

 With all these praises must also come criticism; many people believe that Superman needs to be made dark for his stories to make sense in a modern context. Some loved his depiction from 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Superman was shown as a tortured hero, cursed with God-like powers. That version of the character was not without potential, and in 2023, it was announced that he was set to return. However, less than a month later, James Gunn took back these words and replaced this announcement with his new film. Many are still upset with the handling of this situation and plan to boycott the film.  

 “I do not really like [Superman]. [The new movie] seems kind of boring and not interesting,” Micaela Crespo, sophomore, said. 

 With all of that said, this film’s release has some major effects that must be looked at. The past few years have not been the best for caped crusaders in cinema, and maybe the only thing that can save the industry is the hero who started it all. Perhaps this could be the last straw in Marvel and DC’s reign over Hollywood’s downfall. The film is a huge gamble, setting up many spinoffs and sequels. If it is not successful, the film would be a huge loss for the company. Actor David Corenswet has been cast as Superman, and it has been a controversial choice as his experience does not reflect the role. Despite playing Scott in 2024’s “Twisters,” he lacks in many action-based roles. This could be an opportunity for him to showcase a new side of his acting range. 

 “I think the Superman movie is going to be very interesting, and it could be a masterpiece, but they should change the actor for Clark Kent,” Sebi Romero, junior, said. 

 With a budget of almost $400 million, this film could make or break DC’s new cinematic universe. Jul. 11, 2025, people will flock to the theatres to see Gunn’s “Superman,” and the people will soon find out whether the gamble was worth it or not.