Throughout film history, there have been numerous different versions of Superman that have come to the big screen. From the original version of George Reeves and his interactions with subterranean mole men to Henry Cavill’s take on the character who protected Earth from otherworldly threats, Superman has had countless adventures for comic book fans to experience. Yet despite the differences in hurdles and tones that each film brought, Superman himself has always remained more or less the same.

Sure, Superman fans evoked a more hopeful mood in Richard Donner’s original 1978 film than in Zack Snyder’s slightly more introspective version Man of Steelbut Superman himself has always been portrayed in films as the stoic, charming outsider, willing to bear the burden of any burden alone. Even the Justice League had to bring him back from the dead to make him a team. However, it seems that all that is about to change when the first trailer for James Gunns drops Superman is to be taken at face value. Suddenly, Superman is not only willing to accept help, but even ask for it when needed – and it appears he will find that help in the form of man’s best friend, Krypto the Superdog.

Krypto the superdog makes Superman infinitely more likable

A canine companion is something that most people long for at some point

• Publisher: DC Comics
• First appearance: Adventure Comics #210 (March 1955)
• Created by: Otto Binder and Curt Swan
• Team Affiliations: Team Superman, Space Canine Patrol Agents, Legion of Super-Pets, Justice League, Titans
• Notable Aliases: Supercat, Skip, Air Dale, Pal

For decades, Superman has been one of the most popular comic book characters, appearing in hundreds of superhero stories in comics, animation, and films. Despite his immense popularity, Superman is in many ways one of the least relatable heroes. While his struggle to find a sense of belonging on Earth is more than relatable to some, it is impossible not to also acknowledge his incredible superpowers, which ultimately make him physically infallible compared to any normal human. Whether he feels like an outsider like many people, Superman will always have an inherent advantage over the inhabitants of Earth due to his inhuman abilities.

This is where crypto comes into play. The inclusion of the super dog immediately sets James Gunn’s Superman film apart from previous Superman films, as Superman is willing to accept that he can’t do it alone – despite his superhuman abilities. Relying on the bond between him and Krypto perfectly illustrates the relationship between a dog and a dog owner, which only serves to make Kal El feel a bit more human. Since a connection between Superman and Krypto is abundantly clear in the latest Superman trailer, this version of Superman automatically becomes more likable to viewers, especially dog ​​lovers.

In many ways, Superman’s partnership with Krypto will make this even more special Superman The film feels more grounded, despite all the stunning visuals and ferocious metahumans popping up throughout. Rather than taking the darker, grittier route that Christopher Nolan or Matt Reeves took with Batman, or that Zack Snyder himself took in his approach to Superman, it seems to be James Gunn’s Superman will focus more on the human side of realism to highlight its emotional core. Whether you are a big fan of The Batman or Man of Steel, It will be both fascinating and refreshing to see the character of Superman and his relationship to the world he lives in handled differently than in previous installments.

James Gunn has used animals to tug at the heartstrings in the past

Gunn is never afraid to upset an animal to elicit an emotional response

Notable animal characters in James Gunn films	First appearance
Rocket Raccoon	Guardians of the Galaxy2014
Cosmo the space dog	Guardians of the Galaxy2014
Weasel	The Suicide Squad2021
Starro	The Suicide Squad2021
Lyla	Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, 2023
Teefs	Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, 2023
Floor	Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, 2023
Krypto the super dog	Superman2025

Although the inclusion of Krypto the Superdog in Superman While it seemingly represents the more hopeful elements of the upcoming film, the elephant in the room cannot be ignored. James Gunn has spent nearly the last decade of his career putting cute, cuddly animals in dangerous situations to elicit emotional responses from audiences. While this technique might be seen as hollow and manipulative by any other filmmaker, Gunn has a penchant for infusing these tense moments with a sense of sincerity by placing well-developed characters behind the charming faces on screen.

Nevertheless, a movie with crypto will be released so soon after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 raises some red flags for comic book fans. Not only Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Consider the beginnings of the fan-favorite Rocket Raccoon as a science experiment gone wrong – or miraculously right, depending on how you look at it – and also had the courage to introduce three of his sweet, adorable animal friends, only to then kill them second act as part of Rocket’s tragic backstory. Sure, Krypto won’t suffer the same fate as Rocket’s friends, but just knowing that a super-powered dog will be an element of the 2025 film suggests that Superman’s best friend will be taking some hits that viewers will have to deal with once again have to come to terms with it.

Crypto provides some much-needed levity to the DCU

In Gunn’s new universe there is room for work and play

James Gunn filmography
Tromeo and Juliet1996
Slide2006
Super2010
Guardians of the Galaxy2014
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 22017
The Suicide Squad2021
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 32023
Superman2025

The playful behaviors of Krypto the Super Dog when approaching a stricken Superman during his few brief appearances SupermanThe record-breaking trailer suggests as much Gunn’s approach to the DC Universe won’t just be a little more hopeful than modern moviegoers are used to but will also provide a little more ease in the high-stakes action. Many fans criticized Zack Snyder’s approach to Superman for its complete lack of cheerfulness – which was the case until Snyder’s fall Man of Steelwas an integral part of the character and the adventures he would have. It got to the point where Snyder was replaced by Joss Whedon in 2017 Justice LeagueA key studio note was to add some MCU-style humor to lighten the tone of the narrative.

While Warner Bros.’ attempt to brighten up Justice League turned out to be one of the biggest missteps in the studio’s history – such a harsh 180-degree turn from Snyder’s original vision simply wasn’t in the cards – It’s certainly not impossible to portray the DC Universe in a more lighthearted way while still maintaining the dark undertones for many of the characters in the game. After all, that’s exactly what DC Comics has been doing in its printed stories for the past 80 years. Crypto’s presence in the Superman The trailer reminds fans of the source material that these stories can be told in a more typical comic book style than what DC films have emphasized in recent decades.