The internet practically melted when those first grainy images of David Corenswet in the bright blue spandex started hitting social media. We've been waiting for a new Man of Steel for what feels like a decade, and honestly, the Superman 2025 set photos gave us more than just a peek at a costume; they gave us a vibe check for the entire DC Universe.
James Gunn isn’t playing it safe. If you were expecting the muted, gritty tones of the Snyder era, these photos were a massive wake-up call. The colors are loud. The world looks lived-in. And yeah, there are trunks.
The Suit: More Than Just Red Trunks
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the "S" shield. When the official first look dropped, people noticed the yellow outline and the thicker, almost armored texture. But the candid set photos from Cleveland told a different story. Under the natural Ohio sun, the suit looks vibrant, almost like a primary-colored flag come to life.
It’s not just a thin layer of spandex. You can see various seams and "workman-like" padding. Some fans on Reddit complained it looked "baggy" or "bulky" in certain shots, but that’s the reality of practical suits before they get the digital polish.
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What’s really interesting is the collar. It gives off a New 52 vibe but mixed with a high-fashion, almost "regal" sensibility. It’s a choice that says this Superman is an alien first, even if he’s trying his hardest to be a guy from Kansas.
Key details spotted in the leaks:
- The Cape: It’s mid-length, reaching just below the back of the knees, featuring a yellow "S" on the back.
- The Boots: Bright red with distinct paneling, looking more like footwear you could actually run in.
- The Trunks: They are officially back, held up by a chunky belt with visible loops.
Metropolis is Cleveland, and it Works
One of the coolest things about the Superman 2025 set photos was seeing how James Gunn transformed Cleveland into Metropolis. The Leader Building on Superior Avenue became the Daily Planet. They even hoisted a massive, retro-style globe above the entrance. It feels art-deco. It feels like the 1940s met the 2020s in a way that feels timeless.
There were scenes filmed at the Cleveland Arcade—a gorgeous, glass-roofed shopping center—that supposedly feature a "romantic flying sequence" with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. Seeing those two together in the photos, you can see the chemistry even without the special effects. Brosnahan looks exactly like a fast-talking, Pulitzer-winning reporter who has zero time for Clark’s "aw-shucks" routine.
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The "Other" Heroes: Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner
We knew this wasn't just a Superman solo flick, but the set photos confirmed just how crowded this world is. Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific was spotted on set looking ripped from the pages of a comic book. The "Fair Play" jacket is there. The T-mask is there. It’s a bold, high-contrast look that signals James Gunn isn’t afraid of "comic-booky" aesthetics.
Then there’s Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner. The bowl cut is real. The green-and-white jacket looks like a corporate-sponsored motorcycle suit. This fits with the rumor that these heroes might be part of a team—or a brand—that Superman has to navigate. It’s a "reverse Kingdom Come" scenario where the world is already full of heroes, but they might have lost their way before the Big Blue Boy Scout arrives.
Why Spoilers Might Not Be Spoilers
James Gunn actually addressed the leaks himself. He basically said that seeing a photo of a guy in a suit standing on a street corner doesn't tell you the story. And he's right. These photos show us the what, but not the how.
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We saw a mysterious character in a black-and-silver suit—the "Engineer" played by María Gabriela de Faría. We saw Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor (though mostly under umbrellas to hide his bald head). But we don't know the context. We don't know the dialogue.
The biggest takeaway from the Superman 2025 set photos is the tone. This movie looks kind. In a world of cynical anti-heroes, Corenswet’s Superman looks like he might actually stop to save a cat from a tree.
What to watch for next:
- The First Trailer: Likely to drop in early 2025, showing how the suit looks with the finished "energy" effects.
- Krypto the Superdog: We haven't seen a "live" look at the dog on set yet, but he's confirmed.
- The Score: John Murphy is composing, and if the sets are this grand, the music will likely match that scale.
The movie is set to soar into theaters on July 11, 2025. If you're a fan, keep an eye on official DC Studios social channels for the high-res versions of these "leaks," because Gunn often rewards the community with a "clean" look once the paparazzi shots get out of hand. For now, we can rest easy knowing the trunks are back and Metropolis looks like the city of tomorrow we've been missing.