Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, superdog Krypto introduced in new ‘Superman’ teaser

MANILA, Philippines — It was short, yet fans of the caped Kryptonian are already talking about next year’s release of James Gunn’s take on “Superman” with the appearance of the superhero’s flying dog and Nicolas Hoult’s turn to be the iconic nemesis in the teaser trailer released late Thursday. 

Warner Bros. released a two-minute teaser trailer that introduced the beloved superhero and some familiar characters in the Superman mythology. 

The two people who are almost always synonymous with Superman share more screen time in the teaser. The trailer teases that it jumps off with Superman (David Corenswet) living a dual life of reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, where he meets his beloved Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), and the caped superhero. 

It also shows Hoult’s menacing Lex Luthor, bent on destroying his arch-enemy. 

Fans, however, were more thrilled about Krypto, Superman’s flying best friend dog, who was not exactly as familiar as the other characters whose iterations were seen on TV and the earlier “Superman” films. 

Gunn, who is known for directing Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” explained in the presser for the trailer on why he decided to include Superman’s dog. 

“This movie at the end of the day is not about power. This movie is about a loose term of the word a human being and who he is as a person and virtually struggling in his day-to-day life, and we see a different aspect of him in the beginning,” Gunn said as reported by Deadline. 

The director said that the relationship between Superman and Krypto is complicated, adding that the latter was “not nearly the best dog.” Gunn said to expect a lot more from Krypto than his brief introduction in the teaser trailer where he is seen approaching a battered Superman on a field of ice. 

“He lives in a world of superheroes. This is an alternative history world where superheroes exist but it’s also incredibly grounded. It’s about real people having real lives, there just happens to be metahumans there. Superman has friends who are other superheroes,” Gunn added.

David Corenswet takes his turn as Superman. The actor strikingly resembles Henry Cavill, the last known popular actor to portray the caped superhero, who has since made a cameo as an iteration of Wolverine in this year’s hit “Deadpool & Wolverine.” 

The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry,” “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza,” “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with editors Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2,” “Blue Beetle”), Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Flash”) and William Hoy (“The Batman”).

“Superman” screens in Philippine theaters on July 9, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. — Video from Warner Bros. Philippines YouTube channel

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