Introduction: A New Dawn for the DC Universe
James Gunn's Superman has arrived, officially launching the new DC Universe with a film packed with Easter eggs, deep comic book lore, and a heartfelt, classic take on the Man of Steel. The movie masterfully blends the iconic and the new, paying homage to the character's rich history while forging a bold path forward for the DCU.
This is the definitive, scene-by-scene breakdown of the complete film. From the secrets of the new Superman suit to the comic book origins of every character in Lex Luthor's entourage, we are breaking down everything you might have missed. (Spoilers ahead for the entire film).
The Opening: A Hero Brought Low
The film opens with the new DC Studios title card, featuring Superman breaking chains—an animation that sets the tone for the "Gods and Monsters" chapter of the DCU. The Superman in the animation is a direct homage to Joe Shuster's original 1938 Action Comics #1 design, complete with the classic "S" emblem and shadowed trunks.
The first shot is a barren, icy tundra in Antarctica. The classic trumpet notes of John Williams' iconic Superman theme play, but composer John Murphy cleverly transposes them to an electric guitar, giving the anthem a modern, rock-and-roll edge.
An on-screen text crawl establishes the world's history with a recurring theme of the number "three":
Three centuries ago, the first metahumans appeared.
Three decades ago, an extraterrestrial baby arrived on Earth.
Three years ago, that baby announced himself as Superman.
Three weeks ago, Superman's intervention in a conflict between Boravia and Jarhanpur sparked global controversy.
Three hours ago, the "Hammer of Boravia" attacked Metropolis.
Three minutes ago, Superman lost a battle for the first time.
The film begins in media res, with a battered and bleeding Superman crash-landing in the snow. This bold choice skips the familiar origin story, immediately humanizing the hero by showing him at his most vulnerable.
The Suit, The Dog, and The Fortress
The new Superman suit is a brilliant fusion of different comic book eras. The red trunks are back, a classic element absent from recent live-action versions. The cape features a yellow emblem, reminiscent of the Christopher Reeve design and the All-Star Superman comic. The "S" on his chest is a thick, powerful shape taken directly from Alex Ross's art in the 1996 epic Kingdom Come, while the slightly raised collar is inspired by the New 52 relaunch.
As Superman lies wounded, he emits a painful whistle, summoning his faithful companion, Krypto the Superdog. Krypto, a canine from Krypton with parallel powers, was Kal-El's childhood pet. In this story, he drags the injured Superman back to the Fortress of Solitude, a stunning crystalline structure that bursts from the ice.
Inside, Superman is greeted by his Superman Robots, helpers taken directly from the All-Star Superman comics and animated film. They begin a rapid healing process, using a magnifying device to focus solar radiation on him. As they work, a corrupted recording of his Kryptonian parents, Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan), plays in the background, a message of hope damaged during its journey to Earth. Meanwhile, The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria), a villain working for Lex Luthor with a body made of nanites, tracks Superman to his hidden sanctuary.
Lex Luthor's Master Plan
Back in Metropolis, the "Hammer of Boravia"—revealed to be a Superman clone named Ultraman in a suit of armor—continues his rampage. The attack is orchestrated from a command center in Luthor Corp Tower by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Hoult plays Lex as a maniacal, prison-swole tech bro, a take inspired by a single page from All-Star Superman.
Lex's team is a who's who of his comic book minions:
Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio), his classic assistant from the 1978 film.
Otis (Terrence Rosemore), his bumbling henchman, here given the full name "Otis Berg."
Sydney Halperston (Stephen Blackharrt), a Luthor Corp scientist from the comics.
And many others, including Cheryl Kimball, Amanda McCoy, and Larry Chin.
Lex controls Ultraman's every move through a series of codes ("12C," "18A"), turning the fight into a deadly video game where he can predict and counter Superman's every action. The villains use a pocket universe, a concept established in Peacemaker, to travel between a field tent and Lex's command center.
A Day at the Daily Planet
The next day, we see Superman as his clumsy alter-ego, Clark Kent. David Corenswet's performance goes beyond just the glasses; he adopts an ill-fitting suit, awkward posture, and a constant struggle to avoid eye contact to sell the disguise. It's later revealed he also uses "hypnoglasses," a comic book concept where a form of super-hypnosis makes his face look different to those around him.
The Daily Planet newsroom is bustling with characters:
Perry White (Wendell Pierce), the tough-as-nails editor-in-chief.
Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett), a chauvinistic but Superman-loving sports columnist.
Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover), the office gossip columnist.
Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), portrayed here as an inexplicable ladies' man.
The set is filled with Easter eggs, from the Jitters Coffee cup on Clark's desk (a Flash reference) to a poster for the in-universe band The Mighty Crabjoys. We also see that Clark's father, Jonathan Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince), is still alive, a departure from many modern Superman stories but a return to the post-Crisis comics of the 1980s.
The star reporter, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), is a force of nature—dogged, brilliant, and with no tolerance for nonsense.
The Interview: A Modern Twist on a Classic Scene
The film subverts the classic 1978 interview scene by having Lois and Clark already in a three-month relationship where she knows his secret. Their 12-minute-long "interview" at his apartment is raw and probing, as Lois grills him on the ethical implications of his actions in Boravia and his public perception. The scene is a masterclass in acting, showcasing the deep and complex relationship between the two characters.
The Kaiju Attack and the Arrival of the Justice Gang
Lex's plan continues as he unleashes a rapidly growing, fire-breathing kaiju on Metropolis to keep Superman distracted. The battle is filled with more Easter eggs, including a Big Belly Burger stand, Zesty Cola billboards, and street signs named after legendary DC creators like Alan Moore, Dan Jurgens, and Alex Ross.
Superman's priority is always saving civilians, a mission that gets complicated with the arrival of The Justice Gang, a team of more brutal heroes:
Guy Gardner / Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), with his classic comic book bowl cut and abrasive personality.
Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), a reincarnated Thanagarian warrior.
Michael Holt / Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), a genius inventor with his iconic "Fair Play" jacket and T-Spheres.
The Gang's willingness to kill stands in stark contrast to Superman's unwavering moral code, creating immediate tension between the heroes.
Imprisoned: The Pocket Universe and Metamorpho
After the kaiju battle, Lex leaks the corrupted recording from Superman's parents, painting Krypton as a race of imperialist conquerors and turning the public against him. Superman allows himself to be taken into custody, hoping to find Krypto, and is imprisoned in Lex's pocket universe alongside another captive: Rex Mason / Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan).
Metamorpho, the "Element Man," can transform his body into any substance. He is forced to weaken Superman by turning his hand into Kryptonite. The prison is a horrifying collection of cubic cages, where Lex keeps his political prisoners and even Krypto, who is kept docile by visions of squirrels being beamed into his brain.
Lois and Mr. Terrific stage a daring rescue. In an incredible long-take sequence, Mr. Terrific single-handedly dismantles Lex's forces with his T-Spheres. Meanwhile, Metamorpho, moved by Lex's cruelty, conjures a miniature star inside the cell, allowing Superman to recharge.
The Final Battle for Metropolis
The final act is a massive confrontation. Superman and Ultraman brawl through the city, crashing into a subway tunnel and, hilariously, a vacuum cleaner convention. The Justice Gang travels to the Boravian border to dismantle their army, with Hawkgirl delivering a fatal blow to President Gurkos.
Back in Metropolis, Superman realizes Lex is controlling Ultraman. In a brilliant move, he whistles for Krypto, who attacks Lex's drones, blinding the command center and allowing Superman to finally turn the tables on his clone. He defeats Ultraman by dislocating his shoulder and flipping him into the dimensional rift that has opened over the city.
With his plan collapsing, Lex is confronted by Superman, Krypto, and Mr. Terrific. After a defiant monologue, he is attacked by Krypto and taken into custody.
Conclusion: A Hopeful Dawn for the DCU
In the aftermath, Lex's prisoners are freed, and the world turns on him. In a beautiful and romantic long-take shot, Lois and Superman share a kiss, floating up into the glass skylight of Cleveland's historic Arcade.
The final scene returns to the Fortress of Solitude. The damaged robot, Number Four, has been rebuilt and now wishes to be called "Gary." Superman's cousin, Supergirl / Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), crashes in, drunk, to be reunited with her dog, Krypto.
The film closes not with the words of his Kryptonian parents, but with home movies of his true parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent, and a young Clark. These images of a loving, human upbringing are what truly soothe him, bringing a calm smile to his face. The film ends on a note of pure hope, establishing a Superman who is defined not by his alien heritage, but by the love and values instilled in him on a small farm in Kansas. This is the Man of Tomorrow, and his future in the DCU looks brighter than ever.
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