July is shaping up to be an extraordinary month for cinema. Jurassic World: Dominion on July 4th, The Flash directed by James Gunn the following week on July 9th, and finally Fantastic Four on July 23rd, we’re clearly going to spend our July in movie theaters. Meanwhile, let’s focus on the latest trailer for The Flash, which is incredibly generous, perhaps too much so, to the point where we’ve started guessing certain plot points and even one of the film’s twists. Because if James Gunn has been hiding things from the start, it turns out they’ve all been right in front of us.
SUPER-HERO, BUT HUMAN TOO
James Gunn’s portrayal of Superman presents him as a vulnerable hero who is deeply human, contrasting sharply with the depiction of an invincible, cold, and idolized deity in “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman.” From the initial images released, we see Superman injured, sometimes with bloodied faces, which diverges from the typical portrayal of his invulnerability. This approach underscores Gunn’s intention to explore the human side of Superman, emphasizing his inner struggles and quest for identity among humans. Additionally, there is a confrontation between Clark Kent and Lois Lane during an interview that begins calmly but becomes extremely tense. Clark Kent, who becomes visibly agitated while defending his perspective on what Superman should be, represents a significant departure from previous depictions. This portrayal does not present Superman as an uncontested savior but rather as a man in a suit accountable for his actions. The exchange is dry and tense, revealing Gunn’s direction to portray Superman as both luminous and constantly questioned, including by those who believe in him. Furthermore, Superman faces criticism for illegally entering the country of Boravia, to which he responds that he did so to prevent a war.
I am convinced that this territorial violation will be central to the narrative of the 2025 Superman movie directed by James Gunn. It is important to note that James Gunn did not introduce Boravia on his own initiative. Long before the American filmmaker showed interest, this country was mentioned in the early pages of the 1939 Superman comic book. Boravia is a small Central European kingdom situated in the Alps, torn apart by civil war, making it an ideal setting to confront Superman with the darker aspects of the world. In this context, a Boravian industrialist sponsors the theft of a toxic gas formula from an American scientist. Superman crosses the Atlantic Ocean, saves innocent lives, enforces peace through both action and moral principles, returns home to Metropolis—essentially Kal-El’s diplomatic efforts. However, these actions have consequences, leading Lex Luthor to take action against Superman and providing a justification for his antagonism. This is where the Hammer of Boravia becomes significant. If one could discern any allegiance from the second trailer, it should be noted that the Hammer of Boravia was mentioned long before the most recent trailer.
“IF I HAD A HAMMER…”
In one of the promotional videos for the upcoming film, he appears on the Daily Planet’s front page alongside a Clark Kent article that accuses an armored figure of causing violent destruction in Metropolis. According to the article, the attack is seen as retaliation against Superman’s intervention from abroad, resembling a diplomatic incident disguised as a superhuman conflict. This scenario evokes comparisons to Avengers: Ultron and its Sokovia storyline, where agreements set up by General Ross led to the Civil War within the MCU. For now, the mystery surrounding the identity of the armored figure remains unsolved. Who is behind the Hammer of Boravie? His true identity, which has been carefully concealed, has sparked numerous theories online. Is he a pawn in Lex Luthor’s scheme, designed to divert attention and improve his political standing? Or could he be an obscured version of a more formidable enemy like Ultra Man, with many theorists suggesting it might be him due to the “U” chest emblem and overwhelming power displayed. For those unfamiliar, Ultraman was introduced in 1964 within Justice League of America #29 and represents one of the earliest interpretations of the “Evil Superman” concept. Unlike Superman, Ultraman gains strength from Kryptonite, which enhances him rather than harms him. In Earth-3, he leads the Syndicate of Crime, an evil counterpart to the Justice League, aiming to conquer the multiverse. However, a multiverse will not be immediately introduced; it seems clear that James Gunn has another surprise in store for viewers, and beware, as I activate the spoiler tag because if my theory is correct, it could reveal key plot points of the film.
Is it good? If you are still here, it is in your soul and conscience. I am convinced that the character hidden beneath the Hammer of Boravie is none other than Supergirl. Why her? Already, we know the character will be in the film, portrayed by actress Milly Alcock. Yet, she shines by her absence in the trailers so far. Not a single image, not a word, not an identifiable silhouette. An oversight? Unlikely. A deliberate choice? Very likely. And if the truth has indeed been under our noses since the beginning… but concealed behind armor? Underneath the Hammer of Boravie. A threat in black and gold armor, capable of rivaling Superman on the field of raw power. Not because the character can fly, hurl energy blasts, or shatter Superman with a single punch. It cannot be a human on steroids; it is something else, something kryptonian. It has to be Supergirl.
HEY COUSIN, WHERE ARE YOU DANCING…
Why would she be wearing that armor? And why would Superman’s cousin oppose him? The scenario is straightforward: Kara Zor-El’s capsule crashes on Earth. She is alone, disoriented, and vulnerable. Instead of Clark finding her first, it is Lex Luthor who discovers her. Seeing an opportunity in her immense power, he imprisons her, shapes her into a living weapon, and controls her, turning her into a geopolitical symbol known as the “Hammer of Boravie.” This figure appears to be an independent vigilante but is actually a response to perceived Kryptonian interference, using Supergirl as leverage in an image war. Another detail adds depth: Krypto. He is prominently featured in the film, yet typically, Krypto and Kara leave Krypton together, their paths diverging in space. When Krypto arrives on Earth, he follows the genetic and emotional signals of his mistress. However, if Kara’s signals are scrambled by Lex’s technology, then Krypto has only one other reference: Clark Kent, or Kal-El. He does not seek her out but finds him instead, making Krypto a crucial link between Clark and a trapped Supergirl, invisible to the world. James Gunn excels at subverting expectations, integrating forgotten elements of DC mythology into a contemporary, more psychological and political narrative. Hiding Milly Alcock’s portrayal of Supergirl in the promotion through scripted discretion is a clever move. The silence around her in the marketing campaign is not an oversight but part of this film’s twist.
What are your thoughts on this theory? In any case, I admire this approach; I appreciate James Gunn’s vision. Visually, the trailer stands out with bright colors and an optimistic atmosphere, diverging from the darker tones of previous adaptations. This aesthetic evokes the spirit of the original comic books, reflecting a desire to return to the character’s roots while modernizing it for contemporary audiences. Superman’s costume, very colorful and intentionally retro, including the famous red briefs, is a tribute to the character’s origins. And this approach resonates in Gunn’s staging: intimate when capturing Clark’s doubts and grandiose when deploying the character’s visual power. Because the film is also a total spectacle, and this first trailer makes it clear with scenes of mid-air battles, massive destruction in Metropolis, lasers, supersonic collisions, special effects are omnipresent and especially well-executed. James Gunn does not hesitate to use audacious visual choices to give his film a particular signature.
One of the immediately noticeable elements is the use of wide-angle lenses, which provides the film with a unique depth and perspective. This choice may appear risky but it succeeds beautifully here, emphasizing the grandeur of both characters and action scenes while adding a distinct flavor to the overall piece. It is not conventional, yet this visual effect integrates seamlessly into Gunn’s envisioned universe—one that is both epic and intimate—enhancing the visual dimension of this reimagined Superman. In summary, we are very confident and will undoubtedly reconvene in early July to evaluate if James Gunn succeeds in his vision.
