July 11, 2025 – James Gunn’s Superman has finally touched down in theaters, marking the official launch of the DC Universe’s (DCU) Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. With a Certified Fresh 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and a soaring 95% Audience Score, the film delivers a vibrant, hopeful take on the Man of Steel, anchored by a star-studded cast and punctuated by two distinct post-credit scenes that defy conventional superhero teases. Forget multiverse chaos or villainous cameos – Gunn focuses on character moments that solidify the heart of his new universe.
✨ Meet the Heroes & Villains: The Stellar Cast of Superman
James Gunn assembles a perfect blend of rising stars, acclaimed actors, and trusted collaborators to populate Metropolis and beyond. Here’s a deep dive into the key players:
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman: The 31-year-old actor steps into the iconic red boots and cape, bringing a youthful earnestness, physical presence, and a touch of charming awkwardness to Clark Kent. His Superman embodies “truth, justice, and the American way” redefined as kindness in a cynical world. Corenswet drew inspiration from Christopher Reeve’s posture and Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman comics, emphasizing Superman’s role as a beacon of hope. He also portrays Ultraman, Lex Luthor’s armored Superman clone.
- “Superman is a public-facing character who wants to present himself as calm but with authority… Clark is desperately trying to be as small as possible.”
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane: Fresh off her Emmy-winning turn in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Brosnahan delivers a “fiercely intelligent” and “feisty” Lois Lane. This Lois is a sharp, modern reporter who knows Clark’s secret early on and isn’t afraid to challenge Superman’s actions, particularly his intervention in foreign wars. Brosnahan consulted real journalists to ground her portrayal.
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor: Nicholas Hoult is Lex Luthor in Superman 2025: After auditioning for Superman and Batman in other projects, Hoult lands as Superman’s arch-nemesis. His Luthor is an obsessive, determined scientific genius driven by jealousy and a need for recognition. Hoult shaved his head for the role, inspired by Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal in Smallville and classic comic interpretations.
- Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific (Michael Holt): A scene-stealer as the brilliant inventor and hero. Gathegi portrays Holt as an “atheist who believes in justice,” finding purpose in knowledge after personal tragedy. His high-tech T-Spheres and tactical mind make him a crucial ally and a standout character, especially in the film’s post-credit scene.
- Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders): Portraying Hawkgirl in Superman 2025 amid a breakoutt year (The Last of Us S2, Alien: Romulus), Merced takes flight as the ancient, reincarnated warrior. Wielding her Nth metal mace, she’s a fierce member of the Justice Gang and delivers a memorable moment dealing with a villain.
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern: A Gunn regular sports Guy’s iconic bowl cut and brash attitude. This Green Lantern is part of the intergalactic corps, using his power ring to create constructs. He provides comic relief and will reappear in the HBO series Lanterns.
- Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho (Rex Mason): The Barry star brings pathos to the elemental shapeshifter who feels cursed by his powers. Carrigan highlights Rex’s reluctance and monstrous self-perception.
- Milly Alcock as Supergirl (Kara Zor-El): While not part of the main cast of Superman 2025, Supergirl makes a pivotal cameo before the credits roll. She crashes into the Fortress of Solitude, drunkenly reclaims her dog Krypto, and swears at Clark before flying off – a direct setup for her solo film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
- Supporting Standouts: Frank Grillo reprises Rick Flag Sr. (from Creature Commandos), Wendell Pierce is the gruff Perry White, Skyler Gisondo is a spirited Jimmy Olsen, and María Gabriela de Faría is the menacing The Engineer.
🎬 Beyond the Final Battle: Superman’s Post-Credit Scenes Explained (Spoilers!)
Yes, Superman has two post-credit scenes: one mid-credits and one after all credits roll. However, James Gunn deliberately avoids traditional sequel bait. Here’s what happens and why it matters:
- Mid-Credits Scene (The Calm After the Storm):
- What Happens: A serene, wordless shot of Superman sitting on the moon, holding Krypto, both gazing peacefully at Earth. The sun rises over the planet, highlighting major US cities. This image was previously seen in trailers and posters.
- Meaning & Significance: This is a visual sigh of relief after the film’s climactic battle. It emphasizes Superman’s role as Earth’s protector and offers a poignant moment bonding Clark with the often-mischievous Krypto, whose loyalty shines through. It’s a direct homage to a similar iconic image from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman. Gunn’s Intent: To give audiences a beautiful, quiet moment after the action and before honoring the full credits.
- Post-Credits Scene (The Imperfect Hero & The Annoyed Genius):
- What Happens: Superman and Mister Terrific stand before a skyscraper damaged during Lex Luthor’s dimensional rift. The building has been fused back together, but imperfectly – the seams are visibly crooked. Superman awkwardly remarks, “It’s just a little off.” Mister Terrific, clearly proud of having saved the city but sensitive about his work, gets defensive: “What do you want me to do!? Do you want me to take it apart and put it back together!?” He storms off, kicking debris in frustration. Superman calls after him, “Hey man, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bum you out! I shouldn’t have brought it up!” As Terrific leaves, Superman mutters to himself, “Darn it, I can be such a jerk sometimes.”
- Meaning & Significance: This is a visual sigh of relief after the film’s climactic battle. It emphasizes Superman’s role as Earth’s protector and offers a poignant moment bonding Clark with the often-mischievous Krypto, whose loyalty shines through. It’s a direct homage to a similar iconic image from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman. Gunn’s Intent: To give audiences a beautiful, quiet moment after the action and before honoring the full credits.
🦸 Why No Future Teases? James Gunn’s Philosophy for the DCU Launch
Gunn’s approach to the post-credits scenes sparked discussion. Why not tease Lanterns, The Authority, or Supergirl more explicitly? His reasoning, explained to Screen Rant, is clear and deliberate:
- Learning from Past Mistakes: Gunn reflected on his time at Marvel, noting that post-credit scenes setting up future stories sometimes never paid off (citing Harry Styles’ Eros in Eternals as a Marvel example, and the Legion of Doom tease in Justice League for DC). He wants to avoid promising something that might not materialize as planned.
- Focus on Payoff: “Unless it’s really for sure going to pay off… I don’t want to set up stuff just because it’s a shocking post-credit scene that we’re never going to pay off.” He did include the Supergirl cameo before the credits because her movie is confirmed and actively in development.
- Rewarding the Audience: Gunn believes in giving viewers “something” enjoyable for sitting through the credits, honoring the hard work of the crew. He chose the Terrific scene because the character was a standout and the moment was fun.
- Superman Stands Alone: Gunn crafted Superman as a self-contained story introducing the DCU but not dependent on future setups. The film establishes heroes, villains, and world rules, but its emotional core – Clark’s journey – is complete. Future connections (like Terrific in other projects) will feel organic, not mandated by a credits tease.
🏆 Critical & Audience Response: A Hero Reborn
- $218M Global Opening: Biggest 2025 debut (Box Office Mojo)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Certified Fresh (282 Reviews) – Consensus: “Pulling off the heroic feat of fleshing out a dynamic new world while putting its champion’s big, beating heart front and center, this Superman flies high as a Man of Tomorrow grounded in the here and now.”
- Audience Score: 95% (2,500+ Ratings) / 4.6 out of 5 – Consensus: “James Gunn brings back a timeless hero with Superman — and gifts us a four-legged scene-stealer we can all rally behind.”
- Early Fan Reactions: Praise centers on Corenswet’s embodiment of hope and kindness, Brosnahan’s definitive Lois, the effective humor, thrilling action, and the successful introduction of lesser-known heroes like Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl. Krypto is a universal scene-stealer.
🔗 Essential External Links
- Rotten Tomatoes: Superman Reviews – Verified audience scores
- DC Universe Infinite: All-Star Superman – Inspiration for moon scene
🔮 What Comes Next in the DCU?
While the post-credits scenes avoid explicit teases, Superman lays vital groundwork:
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026): Milly Alcock’s drunken, foul-mouthed cameo is a direct lift from the comic the film is based on. Expect her solo adventure to explore her cosmic struggles and harder edge.
- The Authority: María Gabriela de Faría’s The Engineer is a core member of this morally grey super-team. Her presence hints at their upcoming film and potential friction with Superman’s ideals.
- Lanterns (HBO Series): Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is confirmed for this terrestrial Green Lantern mystery series.
- Peacemaker Season 2: Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. will transition from animation (Creature Commandos) to live-action here.
- Potential Superman Sequel: While unannounced, David Corenswet is reportedly signed for multiple films. The success of this launch makes a sequel highly likely.
- Lex Luthor’s Return: The Superman 2025 Lex Luthor actor, Nicholas Hoult, is confirmed to return as the villain in future sequels.
- Hawk Girl’s Ascension: Hawk Girl’s debut in Superman 2025 also sets up her role in upcoming DCU team-ups.
💎 The Verdict: A Hopeful Launch Focused on Character
James Gunn’s Superman succeeds by prioritizing heart, character, and a hopeful tone. Its post-credit scenes reflect this philosophy perfectly – offering touching and humorous character moments (Superman & Krypto’s bond, Superman & Terrific’s friction) instead of hollow franchise bait. By introducing a compelling cast led by the excellent David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, and establishing a world rich with heroes and potential stories within the main narrative, Gunn has delivered a strong, self-assured foundation for the DC Universe. The future looks bright, hopeful, and refreshingly focused on the characters we care about right now.