Reboots are always tricky, but rebooting Superman? That’s incredibly daunting. For decades, the Man of Steel has stood as a towering figure of American optimism, an icon of truth, justice, kindness, and impossible idealism. James Gunn‘s entry in the Superman cinematic canon, ‘Superman’ (2025), leans into the grandeur that fans expect, and it also manages to feel personal, grounded, and distinctly modern.
Things to do:
- Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
- Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider
- Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.
The Return of a Legend
When Superman (David Corenswet) faces public opposition both in Metropolis and across the globe in Boravia, his every move comes under scrutiny. Tech mogul, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), sees this as perfect timing to try and take him down once and for all.
Lex and his lackeys manage to break into Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and find the message his parents sent with him to Earth, instructing him to use his powers to protect its civilians. However, they also recover the damaged second half in which Superman’s parents continued to tell him to take over Earth and spread his Kryptonian genes. Luther broadcasts this message, and the public quickly turns on Superman. Lex manages to get Superman detained in an alternate dimension while he awaits his trial, and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Superman’s canine sidekick, Krypto, must step in to save Superman before Lex destroys him for good.
WATCH THE TRAILER of the Film and the Revolution: ‘Can I Go Home Now?’
The Children Around the World Continue to Ask the question
A Dual Identity, Reimagined
One of the film’s standout achievements is its casting. It’s thoughtful, diverse, and deeply faithful to the essence of the comics. Supporting characters, from Jimmy Olsen to Perry White, feel drawn straight from the page. The result is a world that is recognizably Superman while allowing for a fresh, contemporary lens.
David Corenswet brings a classic Superman charm that’s noble, kind, and undeniably humane beneath the cape. He delivers a refreshingly grounded performance, balancing charisma with vulnerability. This version of Clark doesn’t just use his glasses as a disguise; he’s genuinely struggling with the split between who he is and who the world wants him to be. There’s tension in his duality, especially when he discovers that the purpose his parents instilled in him wasn’t entirely what he thought it was. David Corenswet is rumored to return as Superman in the upcoming film, ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,’ that is set to be released in 2026.
Related Article: https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/james-gunns-superman/
Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is equally well-cast. She channels the sharp wit, tenacity, and moral clarity that have defined Lois for generations. She captures the essence of Lois as a fearless investigative journalist, unafraid to challenge power, including Superman himself, while also revealing her deep sense of empathy and conviction. Brosnahan’s Lois isn’t just a love interest or a narrative foil; she’s a partner in every sense of the word, holding her own in every scene and driving key moments of the film’s emotional and ethical core.
Related Article: https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/im-your-woman-rachel-brosnahan-review/
Their dynamic feels authentic and modern. Lois challenges Clark on his blind spots, his savior complex, and the unintended consequences of his interventions. Their bond isn’t just romantic, it’s ideological, built on disagreement, mutual respect, and a shared desire to make the world better.
A Thought-Provoking Antagonist
At the center of the film’s conflict stands Lex Luthor, portrayed with icy charisma and razor-sharp intellect by Nicholas Hoult. What makes this iteration of Luthor so compelling is his ability to reflect society’s darkest fears back at us. He isn’t merely a villain, he’s a provocateur, using the media to spread false narratives about Superman’s intentions to undermine his relevance and popularity. And the public believes him. The clash between Luthor’s cynicism and Superman’s idealism elevates the story beyond a physical battle, it’s an ideological war, one that feels eerily familiar.
Nicholas Hoult delivers a chilling performance as Lex Luthor, bringing a blend of cold calculation and charming menace to the iconic villain. His portrayal avoids the typical cartoonish villainy, instead offering a modern, tech-savvy antagonist whose motivations feel eerily plausible in today’s world. Hoult masterfully captures Luthor’s intellect and manipulative prowess, making him a formidable foil to Superman’s optimism. His presence commands the screen, adding depth and tension that elevate the stakes throughout the film.
Hoult will appear next in a 2026 heist film, ‘How to Rob a Bank.’
Related Article: https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/nicholas-hoult-tribute/
Related Article: https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/villains-movies-culture/
A Broader Universe, Thoughtfully Woven
While the film proudly centers on Superman, it also plants subtle but exciting seeds for the wider DC universe. The Justice Gang, Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) make impactful appearances, not as crammed-in cameos, but as organic extensions of the world who Superman trusts to protect civilians when he isn’t able to.
All three of them appear in the first half of the movie to help Superman take down a giant monster that is terrorizing the city, and the continue to watch over Metropolis while Superman is detained. Mr. Terrific has an impressive action scene of his own while he helps Lois track down where Superman is being held that has been widely praised by fans. These additions expand the narrative scope without overshadowing the story, showing that a shared universe can enhance the plot rather than dilute a character’s story.
Related Article: https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/dc-cinematic-universe/
The Look and Feel of Hope
Visually, the film finds a compelling middle ground. The dreary desaturation of earlier efforts is gone. In its place are warm hues, bright skies, and just enough stylization to make flight feel magical. It doesn’t feel cartoonish, but it feels more true to the comic vibe. The cinematography doesn’t shy away from wonder, and the score bolsters the mythic tone without becoming bombastic.
Key set pieces, including the Fortress of Solitude and collapsing buildings, showcase the character’s power without overdoing it on CGI. Each rescue is treated as an act of empathy, not spectacle. In a high pressure battle with a giant monster, Superman takes the time to save every person, dog, and even squirrel in it’s path. It’s a reminder that Superman’s greatest strength is his compassion.
Related Article: https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/2025-summer-blockbuster/
Final Verdict
The film’s heart never falters. Every moment is infused with purpose, and its emotional honesty offers a rare kind of catharsis. The film sets a tone rooted in empathy, courage, and the enduring belief that heroes should lift us higher.
This reboot doesn’t just ask whether Superman still matters; it shows why he does. In an age dominated by quippy antiheroes and multiverse exhaustion, here’s a story that dares to be sincere. One that believes heroism is less about power and more about principle.
So, can hope still fly? In this case, yes. And maybe that’s all we needed to believe again.
Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
Cinematography: Henry Braham | Editors: Craig Alpert, Jason Ballantine, William Hoy
Director: James Gunn | Writer: James Gunn | Producers: James Gunn, Peter Safran, Galen Vaisman
By Rachel Squire
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider
– Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
– A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema
– Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece
– A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond
– In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More
_____________________________________________________________________________
Rachel Squire is a passionate writer with a strong commitment to authentic storytelling and ethical journalism. As a writer for Hollywood Insider, she brings a deep appreciation for cinema’s power to inspire positive change. She values promoting meaningful media over gossip and sensationalism, and strives to contribute to a culture of integrity and substance in entertainment journalism.
Rachel Squire is a passionate writer with a strong commitment to authentic storytelling and ethical journalism. As a writer for Hollywood Insider, she brings a deep appreciation for cinema’s power to inspire positive change. She values promoting meaningful media over gossip and sensationalism, and strives to contribute to a culture of integrity and substance in entertainment journalism.
