Per the norm, the first look image of David Corenswet as Superman that James Gunn released on Monday is getting quite the reaction from the fans.
The first look pic features Corenswet as the new Man of Steel putting his boots back on where his suit is battle-damaged and an otherworldly threat is taking place outside.
The pic and DC officially confirms the red trunks are back.
Superman reaction
I’ll admit, my first thought was I thought it was a fake AI image. I first saw the image in my Facebook Group of nearly 12k rabid fans but then realized it was real and published an article about it.
Honestly, I’ve seen some better looking fan art than this.
Another initial reaction I had is that David Corenswet isn’t smiling in the image. I can recall when Zack Snyder released the first look image of Henry Cavill in front of the bank vault, Cavill’s Superman also wasn’t smiling (and barely smiles at all in the movies, lol) leading to speculation it could be Bizarro (lol).
Now it should be said that I think James Gunn knew exactly what he was doing by releasing this type of image, as it does draw up a lot of controversy and talk, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as Gunn can come through with a good movie. However, Gunn definitely doesn’t want to split the fandom the way Snyder did with Man of Steel, IMO.
James Gunn’s Superman a bum? A slacker?
Some of the reactions I’ve seen offer that Gunn’s Superman seems to be a bum or even a slacker as Corenswet, in the image, doesn’t seem to be in a big hurry as Metropolis is under attack.
It’s almost like he’s thinking, “Here we go again…”
“I know there’s a lot of people discussing this new sneak peek of [Superman],” tweeted the fan. “I know a lot of it has to do with the suit. I however noticed something else. The look on his face is of someone that doesn’t want to go to work and they’re taking their sweet ass time getting ready to go. That’s not that attitude I expect from Superman.”
I know there’s a lot of people discussing this new sneak peek of #SupermanLegacy. I know a lot of it has to do with the suit.
— Pitfall Harry (@MediaRaider1981) May 7, 2024
I however noticed something else. The look on his face is of someone that doesn’t want to go to work and they’re taking their sweet ass time getting… pic.twitter.com/iQPGUAWgU0
Lois to the rescue
As some fans have pointed out, Gunn is borrowing from Kingdom Come, but I would argue that Superman happens to be a lot older and weathered.
The first-look image makes me think of what an actress who made it to the final round to play Lois Lane said about how Lois is the fearless one.
“She saves Superman. She’s the brains; she’s actually the fearless one,” said Phoebe Dynevor.
This image seems to suggest that the David Corenswet Superman is burned out, so maybe Brosnahan’s Lois is responsible for breathing new life into the Man of Steel?
Check out reactions and the memes below.
Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.
