The live-action introduction to the new DC Universe got off to a massive start, according to James Gunn. The filmmaker announced on his social media platforms Friday that the “Superman” teaser trailer was viewed over 250 million times in its first day.
“Krypto really did take us home: With over 250 million views and a million social posts, ‘Superman’ is officially the most viewed and the most talked about trailer in the history of both DC and Warner Bros,” Gunn wrote. “This is because of all of you: thank you! We’re incredibly grateful and, most of all, excited to share this movie with you in July. Happy Holidays!”
According to Gunn, the Superman teaser views blew many of this year’s studio tentpoles out of the water. The first “Joker: Folie à Deux” trailer launched with 167 million views in its first 24 hours, for instance, while “Inside Out 2,” the highest-grossing movie of the year with $1.6 billion at the worldwide box office, launched its trailer to 157 million views. Marvel’s “Deadpool and Wolverine” trailer still holds the record for biggest trailer launch of all time with 365 million views.
The “Superman” teaser offered up the first footage of David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, plus first looks at Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and various heroes who are set to populate the new DC Universe, from Krypto the Superdog to Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillon), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). The teaser also previewed the romance between Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane.
“We’re embracing all of the Superman mythology,” Gunn told Variety about the movie. “He has friends who are other superheroes. He has people he doesn’t get along as well with who are other superheroes. He has a lot of the things that we love from the Superman comics that we haven’t been able to see as much of in filmed media, and definitely haven’t been able to see in a grounded way, which is what I hope we’ve created.”
Gunn’s “Superman” opens in theaters July 11 from Warner Bros.
