Dwayne Johnson’s erasure from the DC universe is complete as first look at his ‘Superman’ replacement arrives

The old DC Universe is officially out of the picture, making way for the exciting new direction under James Gunn! Next summer, fans can finally see his vision for the rebooted DC Universe come to life with the release of Superman, and the anticipation is building as we inch closer to the first trailer. Recently, Gunn shared a sneak peek that has fans buzzing with excitement.

A Sneak Peek at Superman

On October 15, Gunn took to social media to reveal the second official image from his highly anticipated Man of Steel reboot. Back in May, he introduced the world to David Corenswet in his Superman suit, but fans are still waiting for official looks at Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. Instead, Gunn gave us a delightful surprise by introducing a character that holds a special place in Superman’s heart.

Meet Krypto the Super-Dog

Say hello to Krypto the Super-Dog! This Kryptonian canine has long been rumored to be part of the new Superman film, and Gunn has now confirmed his inclusion. Interestingly, the decision to feature Krypto was inspired by Gunn’s own rescue dog, Ozu. After Ozu caused some chaos in his home—like munching on his laptop—Gunn had the amusing thought, “What would Ozu be like if he had superpowers?” And just like that, Krypto was brought to life.

A Brief History of Krypto

While Krypto first appeared in comic books back in 1955, many moviegoers may recognize him from the 2022 animated film DC League of Super-Pets, where Dwayne Johnson voiced the lovable pooch. That film was part of Johnson’s ambitious plan for the DC franchise, which also included a cameo from Black Adam. Unfortunately, both projects struggled at the box office, leading to Gunn’s appointment as the new head of DC and Johnson’s plans being sidelined.

A Fresh Start for DC

Bringing Krypto into the live-action world isn’t a direct jab at Johnson’s vision for the DC Universe, but it does signal a clear shift in direction. This also seems to extend to other former DC stars, such as Zachary Levi, whose future as Shazam! is uncertain following his controversial endorsement of Donald Trump.

Given Gunn’s track record with beloved characters like Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans can expect great things for Krypto. Plus, in promoting Krypto, Gunn is using this moment to highlight Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, showcasing his passion for animals.

Mark your calendars for the much-anticipated Superman reboot, hitting theaters on July 11, 2025. Get ready to witness a super-dog take flight!