The superhero fandom has found a new point of contention as the release of James Gunn’s Superman approaches on July 11, 2025, with fans drawing sharp comparisons between the flying sequences of David Corenswet’s Man of Steel and Henry Cavill’s iconic portrayal in 2013’s Man of Steel. A viral side-by-side image comparison, circulating widely on social media platforms like X as of April 1, 2025, has sparked both laughter and heated debate. Many are calling Corenswet’s flying pose in the Superman 2025 trailer the “worst” yet, while Cavill’s soaring debut in Man of Steel is being hailed as the “best,” reigniting discussions about the visual legacy of Superman and the direction of the DC Universe (DCU) under Gunn’s leadership.
The Superman 2025 trailer, which shattered records by amassing over 250 million views in its first 24 hours upon release on December 19, 2024, introduced Corenswet’s Clark Kent in a brighter, more hopeful light compared to the darker tone of Zack Snyder’s DCEU. However, one particular shot of Corenswet flying has become a lightning rod for criticism. In the trailer, he’s seen soaring with his arms awkwardly pinned back, his body rigid, and his face—despite Gunn’s insistence that no CGI was used on it—appearing oddly expressionless. Fans on X have mocked the pose, likening it to a “human cannonball” or a “plank of wood,” with one user joking, “Did they forget to tell him he’s supposed to look like he’s enjoying this?” The image, paired with the trailer’s otherwise vibrant tone, has led to widespread ridicule, with many arguing it fails to capture the majestic essence of Superman in flight.
Contrast this with Cavill’s first flight in Man of Steel, a sequence that remains etched in fans’ memories as a defining moment for the character. Directed by Snyder, the 2013 film depicted Clark Kent’s initial ascent with raw emotion—his face a mix of awe, joy, and determination as he broke the sound barrier, cape billowing behind him. The camera work, paired with Hans Zimmer’s soaring score, created a sense of grandeur and discovery, embodying Superman’s power and humanity in equal measure. Fans have revisited this scene in the viral comparison, with many on Reddit and X calling it the gold standard. “Cavill’s flight felt like a god realizing his potential,” one fan wrote, while another added, “It’s the best Superman has ever looked flying—2025 can’t touch it.”
The comparison has fueled a broader debate about the tonal and visual differences between the two films. Man of Steel leaned into a grounded, almost mythic realism, with Cavill’s Superman navigating a world that feared his power. His flight sequences, whether breaking through the atmosphere or battling Zod, were dynamic and visceral, reflecting the physicality of a Kryptonian learning to harness his abilities. The 2013 film’s runtime of 143 minutes allowed for moments of quiet reflection, like Clark’s first flight, to stand out as emotional peaks. In contrast, Gunn’s Superman, with a reported runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes, aims for a lighter, more comic-accurate tone, reintroducing elements like the red trunks and a bustling Metropolis filled with heroes like Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner. Yet, the flying shot of Corenswet has been a sticking point, with fans arguing it lacks the emotional depth and cinematic weight of Cavill’s.
Gunn has defended the 2025 flying sequence, noting in a January 2025 Threads post that the close-up of Corenswet’s face used no CGI, attributing its odd appearance to the camera lens. However, this hasn’t quelled the criticism. Some fans point to a later image of Corenswet striking a more traditional Superman pose—arms forward, chest out—as evidence of what the trailer should have showcased. “This is what we wanted,” a Reddit user commented, referencing a February 2025 reveal of Corenswet flying in a Reeve-inspired style. Others, however, remain unconvinced, with posts on X describing the 2025 flying scenes as “lifeless” and “uninspired” compared to the raw energy of 2013.
As Superman 2025 nears its release, the laughter and memes surrounding the flying comparison highlight a deeper fan divide. Cavill’s Man of Steel set a high bar for Superman’s visual spectacle, blending modern grit with moments of soaring heroism. Corenswet’s version, while promising a return to the character’s hopeful roots, has stumbled in its early impressions, at least in the eyes of many fans. Whether Gunn’s film can overcome this rocky start and redefine Superman for a new generation remains to be seen, but for now, the 2013 flight of Cavill’s Superman continues to reign supreme in the hearts of the DC faithful.
