Superman 2025

With the movie available for home viewing I think it’s time for me to finally write about it. It has been tough to put my thoughts into words without resorting to hyperbole or anecdotes. How do I reconcile the anticipation with my nostalgia and 40 year love for the character? I’ve decided to do what I do best: nerd out about details.

Trailer differences

I obsessively watched every trailer, clip, and interview leading up to this movie. I knew it would leave fewer moments of surprise at the theater, but I couldn’t help myself. Knowing the promotional material so well when I saw the actual movie I was able to pick up on moments that didn’t make the final film.

This Korean trailer has two quick lines that aren’t in the movie. The first is Clark replying “You’re a loser” to Lombard. The second is Cat Grant saying that she “likes strange”. I liked that loser line so much I was surprised when it didn’t happen in the movie.

There are two moments in the full trailer that play differently in the film. The first is the angle on Clark when he says “Ms. Lane” during the interview scene. The second is Pa Kent playing with a young Clark. This moment is only shown on the screens spinning around Superman at the very end.

Going back to the original teaser Ultraman is shown punching through a series of walls. This moment is also show in the behind the scenes video and must’ve been a complicated effects shot. It brings to mind George Reeves busting through walls. It’s not clear when the scene would have played in the movie, possibly as part of the presentation Luthor does for the military. Also no Krypto on the Kent farm yet.

Speaking of the original teaser, there are things that were tweaked after it’s release. They are subtle changes. In the moment when the can was thrown at Superman’s head he blinks in the first teaser, but does not in the trailer and final film. Some additional background buildings were added to the shot where he saves the girl.

One of the first toys I picked up for the movie was the Spinmaster Fortress of Solitude Battle Set. This comes with a large Abominable Snowman toy that I assumed was a possible spoiler for the movie. Later, I got the activity book and in the word search there is a mention of Krypto chasing abominable snowmen. There is also a children’s book featuring Krypto chasing an abominable snowman. But to my surprise there are no snowmen in the finished film. A visual effects artist posted on social media that there was a scene, but it was cut! Mystery solved. Maybe it’ll be on the DVD!

There are a couple moments that James Gunn has mentioned in interviews as being cut. Specifically a moment where Ultraman punches Krypto and Guy Gardner saying something a bit less PG than “wuss”. He also confirmed that the opening crawl was a very late addition and that the moment where Superman saves the squirrel was almost cut. I’ve seen around social media that day title cards were shown in an early screening and later removed. I haven’t seen this confirmed by the filmmakers, but it might have cleared up the confusion of when Superman turns himself in.

Things I’ve haven’t seen mentioned in the discourse about the movie

Of course Clark’s character arc has been dissected in every detail. But one thing I haven’t seen anyone mention is that Clark is not in pain when he is healing in the sun at the end of the movie. Gary says that the message from his parents soothes him, but he doesn’t seem soothed when the robots have to hold him down. Implying that the message from Krypton doesn’t really soothe him, it’s not the true guiding force he thinks it is. When he heals at the end, the videos of his parents do soothe him. He just smiles.

The hallways and doors of LuthorCorp were green and a natural wood tone with labels. These walls and doors reminded me so much of the hallways of the Daily Planet on The Adventures of Superman. You can see it clearly when Eve goes into the server room. There is a double door leading into the main office that looks like the doors to Perry’s office and the server room is like Clark’s storage room to change in. Maybe this is me seeing something that isn’t there, but it feels like a deliberate choice to paint the walls green and have the doors be a natural wood grain. Plus the labels on the doors. I tried to get a photo on one of my theater screenings, but wasn’t successful. If I can find a screenshot I’ll update this post.

Lex says that Superman’s fortress is in Antarctica. Traditionally the Fortress is in the north. He travels north in Superman: The Movie. The scenes were filmed in Svalbard. It’s such a small thing, but it’s something I noticed.

Further notes

Of course these things have been mentioned in the discourse, but they are notable.

Jor-El giving Clark instructions to rule wasn’t a huge shock for me. My mind went straight to “Rule them with strength” from Smallville. The Byrne Krypton wasn’t a nice place either. It also isn’t clear what Jor-El from Man of Steel wanted Clark to do with the codex. I wonder what Supergirl’s parents said to her when she came. I assume she left Krypton as a teenager unlike baby Clark.

The All Star Superfan podcast has made brilliant connections to both Superman II and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. At the end of Superman II Lois says “Just say that you love me” but he doesn’t. He kisses her and her memory is erased. Before Superman turns himself in he tells Lois that he loves her and says that he should have told her that a long time ago. Yep, in 1980, buddy! The plot as a whole is very similar to Superman IV. Superman gets involved in global affairs. Lex pushes the world to war for his own benefit. He uses a strand of Superman’s hair to make a clone to fight him. Even the suit worn by the Hammer of Boravia hints at Nuclear Man. It looks like a big M with an 8 pointed star. Nuclear Man’s symbol is an N with an 8 pointed star. Ultraman even speaks with Luthor’s voice. Great call outs from my favorite Superman podcast and things I thought worth mentioning here.

Here is a quick round up of the other clips that were shared before the release. Putting these together you get a bit of pretty much every major scene.

Teaser for the teaser Five minute sneak peek Tickets on sale now IMAX featurette Rivalry Strength What they hey Where’s the dog Luthor is going to hurt people Superman doesn’t have time for selfies Little dog vs kaiju Daily Planet