A newly released clip from James Gunn’s Superman, set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the DC fanbase, showcasing an explosive confrontation between the Man of Steel and his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. The footage, first revealed on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on June 25, 2025, features David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman storming into Lex Luthor’s LexCorp office, blasting the double doors off their hinges and hurling a lavish desk aside with a single hand. The intensity escalates as it’s revealed that Lex, played by Nicholas Hoult, has kidnapped Krypto, Superman’s loyal superdog, pushing the hero to an emotional breaking point. This bold move by Luthor marks a chilling new chapter in their rivalry, setting the stage for a high-stakes narrative in the DC Universe’s reboot.
The clip captures Superman’s raw fury as he demands answers from a calm and calculating Lex, who sips coffee nonchalantly while his girlfriend, Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio), films the encounter, suggesting a calculated ploy to paint Superman as unstable. According to SuperHeroHype, this scene highlights Lex’s manipulative genius, using Superman’s emotional attachment to Krypto to provoke a public spectacle. The footage, described as the most impactful yet, establishes the film’s tone—a blend of epic action, emotional depth, and James Gunn’s signature humor, as noted in the official synopsis. For fans hesitant about the DCU’s new direction, this clip is a compelling glimpse, though those aiming to avoid spoilers may want to steer clear as the release date nears.
Kidnapping has long been a staple of Lex Luthor’s playbook in DC comics, with characters like Lois Lane, Supergirl, and Jimmy Olsen often used as pawns to exploit Superman’s humanity. Targeting Krypto, however, is a particularly audacious move, as reported by ComicBook.com. Krypto, inspired by Gunn’s own dog Ozu, as shared in a June 2024 post on X, represents a deeply personal connection for Superman, making this act a new low for Lex. Hoult’s portrayal, drawing from Michael Rosenbaum’s Smallville Lex and the comic All-Star Superman, emphasizes Luthor’s jealousy and ideological opposition to Superman’s godlike status, as Gunn explained to The Direct. This version of Lex, running LuthorCorp rather than LexCorp, aims to undermine Superman by exploiting his compassion, a tactic that resonates with the character’s comic book roots.
Superman, the first film in the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, introduces a world already populated with metahumans, bypassing a traditional origin story. David Corenswet’s Clark Kent navigates his Kryptonian heritage alongside his human upbringing, joined by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, who’s been dating Clark for three months, per Entertainment Weekly. The ensemble cast includes Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, with Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho and María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, a nanotechnology-enhanced ally of Lex tied to the upcoming Authority film. Wendell Pierce plays Perry White, while Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell portray Jonathan and Martha Kent. Milly Alcock debuts as Supergirl, setting up her 2026 solo film.
The clip’s intensity, combined with early reactions calling the first 30 minutes “damn beautiful” on X, suggests Superman will deliver a fresh yet faithful take on the iconic hero. Gunn’s vision, influenced by All-Star Superman and Brian Azzarello’s Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, focuses on Superman’s belief in humanity’s goodness, contrasted by Lex’s disdain for a being he calls an “it,” as seen in the film’s dialogue. With additional characters like Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) and Otis (Terence Rosemore), the film promises a rich tapestry of heroes and villains. As Superman prepares to launch the DCU, this clip underscores the emotional and ideological stakes, positioning Corenswet’s Man of Steel against Hoult’s cunning Lex in a battle that will define the franchise’s future.
