Superman Quiz: Do You Know the 2025 Version or Just Snyder’s?

Jimmy Olsen, the iconic photographer and long-time Superman ally, is being reintroduced in the 2025 reboot. While Snyder controversially killed off Jimmy in a blink-and-you-miss cameo, Gunn is reviving this beloved character to anchor Superman’s human connections. His presence signals a return to Superman’s classic storytelling roots—building interpersonal relationships and a strong narrative foundation within the Daily Planet.

Nicholas Hoult is cast as Lex Luthor in the reboot, bringing a more controlled and sinister energy than Eisenberg’s chaotic version. Hoult’s performance is expected to be nuanced, manipulative, and intellectually terrifying—less comic book evil, more corporate sociopath.

Krypto appears in the reboot as a CGI-enhanced, mildly comedic presence who possesses real powers. Gunn balances Krypto’s adorability with utility, using him for emotional beats and levity, much like Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy. This version respects the lore while modernizing it for a wider, meme-aware audience without falling into full parody.

In most Superman continuities, Eve Teschmacher is best known as Lex Luthor’s stylish, clever assistant with occasional romantic tension. While not a direct supervillain, her loyalty is often ambiguous, giving writers space for betrayal, redemption, or both. Her rumored return signals an expansion of Lex’s inner circle.

David Corenswet was officially announced as the new Superman in James Gunn’s 2025 reboot, marking a significant departure from Henry Cavill’s version. Corenswet’s casting aligns with the film’s younger tone, emphasizing a fresh start within the DC Universe. Gunn aims to explore a more optimistic, grounded version of the character, and Corenswet’s acting profile fits that vision. Henry Cavill's departure, although controversial, made way for a rebooted timeline and narrative.

The key difference in Gunn’s film is the thematic shift: it focuses on Superman’s human side, internal conflict, and identity crisis rather than epic god-tier destruction. Snyder's version leaned heavily into dark tones and mythological grandeur. In contrast, Gunn grounds Superman in empathy, alienation, and quiet strength, creating a relatable protagonist who struggles with responsibility while trying to connect with humanity. It’s less cosmic destruction, more moral dilemma.

In Gunn’s reboot, Lex Luthor is portrayed as a manipulative billionaire tech mogul, bringing the character closer to a modern villain archetype akin to real-world tech elites. This contrasts with Jesse Eisenberg’s more chaotic portrayal in Snyder’s films. Gunn’s Luthor has charm, menace, and influence—making him a grounded, relevant antagonist who uses media, power, and money rather than fists to challenge Superman. This nuanced version adds depth to their rivalry.

One major tonal shift is Gunn’s balance of emotional realism with light optimism. While Snyder's tone leaned toward darkness and philosophical dread, Gunn’s vision integrates vulnerability, humor, and hope. There’s still emotional depth, but it’s not bleak—it’s human. This shift opens the film up to younger audiences and allows character-driven plots to shine without the weight of apocalyptic stakes. It makes Superman feel less alien, more human.

Henry Cavill’s departure was not due to controversy or external scheduling—it was a creative decision. James Gunn publicly explained that he wanted a younger Superman to tell a new origin story. Cavill’s version had already been through apocalyptic wars and resurrections; starting fresh required an actor who could believably portray a Superman in his 20s, just beginning his moral journey. It wasn’t personal—it was a timeline reset.

Lois Lane is more journalistically empowered in the reboot, asking hard questions and standing as an ethical contrast to corrupted institutions. She’s not sidelined by romance but is a force in her own right. Gunn’s script reportedly gives her more voice and presence, moving away from damsel tropes.

Mister Terrific appears as a strategic genius and tech innovator, often acting as the team’s moral and intellectual anchor. He reflects Gunn’s interest in assembling non-traditional, science-oriented heroes to balance Superman’s emotional core. Unlike typical gadget-wielding sidekicks, Terrific is treated as a peer and voice of reason, especially when the Justice Gang navigates ethical ambiguity.

The Justice Gang is a new team introduced in the reboot, featuring second-tier but deeply layered heroes. They operate more like a task force than idealistic icons. Unlike the Justice League, they argue, disagree, and often push moral boundaries. Gunn presents them as a dysfunctional yet necessary check on Superman’s influence in a divided world.

Gunn’s Superman is written to be more emotionally available and humane compared to Snyder’s Kal-El, who often felt cold, divine, and overwhelmed by godlike responsibilities. Gunn explores Clark’s human upbringing and vulnerability—he listens, feels guilt, seeks purpose, and isn’t constantly brooding. This emotional openness is a direct contrast to the messianic symbolism in Snyder’s films.

Guy Gardner is the chosen Green Lantern in the 2025 reboot. His personality is brash, confrontational, and distinctly unheroic by traditional standards, making him a bold choice over fan-favorites like Hal Jordan or John Stewart. His character often represents authority gone unchecked—an intentional contrast to Clark’s compassion. Gunn uses Gardner to critique toxic leadership and challenge Superman’s moral steadiness.

The Justice Gang is darker, sassier, and less unified than the iconic Justice League. They don’t always trust each other and sometimes prioritize survival or ideology over idealism. This gritty realism adds narrative tension and reflects the postmodern superhero landscape Gunn is building—a world where even the “good guys” argue over what’s truly right.

The label “woke” is often misused as a blanket critique when films center empathy, inclusion, or challenge traditional norms. Critics of Superman 2025 argue it's “woke” because James Gunn focuses on Clark’s internal morality, journalistic ethics, and emotional vulnerability instead of hypermasculine power. Add in a diverse cast (Hawkgirl, inclusive Daily Planet staff) and Superman defending marginalized voices, and you’ve got culture warriors mad online. But really, it’s a return to Superman’s roots as “champion of the oppressed”—a title he held in 1938. If that’s “woke,” then he’s always been woke since day one.

Snyder’s Superman was hyper-masculine, stoic, and carried with him a near-silent rage or detachment. In contrast, Gunn dials down the divine posturing and instead highlights Superman’s moral struggles and Midwestern values. This reframing makes the character more emotionally relatable and less abstract.

James Gunn repositions Lex Luthor as a charismatic billionaire tech mogul, echoing figures like Elon Musk or Zuckerberg. Snyder’s Lex (played by Eisenberg) was erratic and twitchy, often veering into comic book mania. Gunn’s take is more calculated and dangerously persuasive—a shift that mirrors today’s real-world villainy.

A defining theme in Gunn’s Superman is the struggle to be kind in a world that sees compassion as weakness. This contrast with Snyder’s narrative, which focused more on godlike intervention and destructive salvation, gives the reboot a moral weight tied to everyday decisions and internal conflict.

Hawkgirl is portrayed as a fierce, no-nonsense warrior deeply rooted in Thanagarian culture. Her wisdom and blunt demeanor challenge Clark’s idealism. Unlike previous versions that softened her aggression, Gunn leans into her mythological depth, grounding her in cosmic trauma while exploring her role as both protector and skeptic. She serves as a foil to Superman’s hopeful naïveté.

Eve Teschmacher returns not as a cartoonish sidekick, but a PR manipulator and Luthor’s political advisor. Her role reflects modern anxieties around corporate lobbying, misinformation, and propaganda. She is central to Luthor’s public influence, subtly shaping public opinion against Superman under the guise of political strategy—a grounded villain move fitting Gunn’s realistic approach.

Superman has long stood as a metaphor for global justice, defending the powerless regardless of borders. Though he doesn’t take direct political stances in most canon, allegories about real-world issues—like apartheid, refugee crises, or even Palestine—have been explored in comic arcs and fan discourse. Gunn is expected to reflect such themes subtly through Clark’s moral compass, balancing idealism with modern ethical ambiguity.

Snyder’s tone is famously dark, with Kal-El portrayed as a god among mortals—detached, conflicted, and often viewed as a threat. His version of Superman was philosophical, burdened, and emotionally distant. The atmosphere in those films was heavy, stylized, and apocalyptic.

Lois Lane in the 2025 reboot is no longer just a dramatic foil or romantic stress device. She’s emotionally grounded, independent, and essential to Clark’s journey. Gunn restores her integrity as a sharp journalist and emotional compass, giving her agency and nuance that had faded in previous versions.

Green Lantern, though not yet officially confirmed, is tied thematically to Gunn’s desire to explore surveillance, xenophobia, and intergalactic moral dilemmas. Lanterns often deal with planetary justice, making them ideal foils or allies to Superman. Their rumored inclusion signals a larger cosmic scale layered over Clark’s personal story.