The primal scream upon exposure to the sun from David Corenswet in the new Superman teaser is unlike other depictions, especially Henry Cavill’s.

James Gunn and the cast of Superman released an extended preview of the film at CinemaCon this year. While the latter half of the new teaser shows footage fans had already seen in the first trailer, the opening minutes show a battered David Corenswet being taken to the Fortress of Solitude by Krypto for healing.

However, when the robots take him to be exposed to the yellow sun for healing, Corenswet’s Superman seems to be screaming in pain instead of getting healed. While it may look like a different creative direction, it still seems odd that the actor looks in pain when Henry Cavill’s Superman got a cleaner healing from the yellow sun.

David Corenswet screams in pain in new Superman teaser

David Corenswet in Superman | Credits: DC Studios

It has been four months since the first official teaser trailer of James Gunn’s Superman was released, and the jury still seems to be out on whether David Corenswet is he right pick for the role. Henry Cavill was ready to return to the role, but Gunn’s revamp of the DCU resulted in Cavill exiting the role with only one solo movie in his belt.

While his interviews give a deeper understanding of the character, the recently displayed extended preview of the teaser at CinemaCon seems to have shown a better glimpse of Corenswet’s Superman. And, there still seems to be some things off. The teaser is more focused on Krypto the Superdog and also introduces the Fortress of Solitude.

Rachel Brosnahan, James Gunn, David Corenswet, and Nicholas Hoult | Credits: YouTube/Fandango

While Krypto’s antics are hilarious (in true Gunn style), the one scene that seems to be in contention is Corenswet’s exposure to the yellow sun, which usually heals Superman. The actor’s primal scream seems to indicate that he is in pain rather than in treatment, which is unlike other iterations of the hero.

While the screaming could just be the temporary pain before healing, Corenswet’s performance seems to be a bit dicey for this. But the yellow sun does heal Superman canonically because of the Photonucleic Effect, so it might just be the performance.

Krypto hurting Superman more is just James Gunn’s tribute to his own dog

A still from Superman | Credits: DC Studios

When the first official teaser trailer of Superman was released, fans were elated to see the first live-action depiction of Krypto the Superdog. The adorable pet pal of Kal-El runs to a battered and bleeding Superman, leaving behind a snowstorm as he excitedly goes to his owner. In the new footage, Krypto also excitedly jumps on Superman a few times.

This act of Krypto seems to be a bit in contention among fans, as Krypto is generally more empathetic and helpful to Kal-El. Even in the extended preview, the good boy drags Superman to the Fortress of Solitude of the robots to heal him. James Gunn mentioned that Krypto’s antics were mainly based on his own dog, Ozo, who passed away.

He spoke about the decision to treat Krypto in that way at the DCU presentation at CinemaCon (via THR),

Gunn even called Krypto the worst dog in the world. While the Superdog jumping on Superman excitedly with his own superpowers as the hero lay in pain was funny, some fans seemed to still be apprehensive about Gunn’s overall direction.

Superman releases in cinemas on July 11, 2025.