Katy Perry expresses dismay over Orlando Bloom’s shocking move after split
Katy Perry has recently expressed her disappointment after her ex-partner Orlando Bloom move on quickly after a breakup.
A source close to the singer revealed to Daily Mail that Katy is “hurting” from seeing her former partner as he seemed carefree after they ended their relationship six years following their engagement.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor was spotted partying and attending VIP functions after he called it quits with Katy.
It is pertinent to mention that Orlando enjoyed his newfound singlehood as he attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding in Venice.
Katy “has been left hurt and disappointed” by Orlando’s behaviour, even though she understands he’s “free to do whatever” he wants, remarked an insider.
“It’s disappointing… It’s hurtful and annoying,” said an insider.
The source told the outlet, “If he’s going to behave like an acting-up adolescent, that’s on him. She’s going to continue to work and take care of Daisy.”
“Katy knows that he’s free to do whatever the hell he wants to do, she hoped he’d do it a little more discreetly and thoughtfully,” explained an insider.
The source added, “So, she’s disappointed and sad.”
After months of speculations surrounding Katy and Orlando relationship, the now exes confirmed they had gone their separate ways.
Both stars’ representatives issued a press statement, adding, they have “been shifting their relationship over the past many months to “focus on co-parenting” per US Weekly.
Peshawar [Pakistan], July 6 (ANI): The chairman of the inspection team investigating the recent Swat tragedy told the Peshawar High Court (PHC) that multiple government departments displayed negligence in the incident, Geo News reported.
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During a court hearing on Thursday, officials appeared before the PHC to update the ongoing inquiry into the drowning of tourists in the Swat River. The inspection chairman stated that “departmental negligence had emerged,” prompting PHC Chief Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan to order swift identification of all responsible individuals, Geo News reported.
The tragedy unfolded on Friday when 17 members of a Sialkot family were swept away by a sudden surge while picnicking along the Swat Riverbank. Dramatic videos circulating online showed the family stranded on a shrinking island for nearly an hour, calling for help with no rescue in sight. To date, 12 bodies have been recovered, Geo News noted.
Justice Khan questioned the Commissioner of Hazara, Fayaz Ali Shah, on the safety measures implemented in tourist areas and medical preparedness. Commissioner Shah highlighted that Section 144 had been enforced in tourist zones, anti-encroachment operations were underway, and additional staff had been deployed at Nathia Gali hospital, according to Geo News.
When asked about new emergency measures post-Swat tragedy, Justice Khan pressed whether drones could be used in future crises. Commissioner Shah confirmed that drones capable of delivering life jackets had been procured. The court directed immediate testing of these drones, along with drills to evaluate response times, Geo News reported.
Chief Justice Khan emphasised that tourists must be ensured a safe environment. The RPO Hazara assured the court of enhanced coordination between police and rescue agencies in tourist regions, Geo News reported. The court also ordered both the Hazara and Malakand commissioners to submit detailed reports, including the full investigation into the Swat tragedy.
Separately, the Director General of Rescue 1122 KP, Shah Fahad, appeared before the inquiry committee. He was questioned on his whereabouts during the incident and the rescue timeline. Fahad responded that he was in Peshawar at the time and detailed that the emergency call came in at 9:45 am.
An ambulance was dispatched, though initial reports didn’t indicate a flood emergency. Rescue teams, including divers and boats, were then deployed, and three tourists were saved near Mingora Bypass Road, Geo News reported.
Fahad also confirmed that several rescue personnel involved in the response had been suspended pending an internal inquiry.
The court’s actions signal a heightened push for accountability and improved safety protocols in Pakistan’s northern tourist regions to prevent similar tragedies. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Already 1-0 ahead in the series, Australia’s advantage in the West Indies Test series was furthered when they extended their lead to 254 runs on Day Three of the St George’s Test.
On a surface of variable bounce, Steve Smith stood class apart, hitting an excellent 71 off 119 balls.
“He’s one of the best batters in the world for a reason, but we always knew that he was going to come, and he was always going to be positive,” West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves said, as quoted from ICC.
“We didn’t start our best at him, but Steve is Steve, he just at a really good innings.”
Giving good support to Smith was Australia’s number three, Cameron Green, who overcame indifferent recent form (48 runs from five innings) to score a fighting 52.
“I don’t think I ever felt comfortable out there. I think last night was tricky with the new ball, and had to start all over again, and then there were a few ball changes. I never really felt at any point that it was that good,” Cameron Green said.
Green, however, lauded Smith, with whom he shared a 93-run partnership.
“You’d probably ask a different question to Steve, he was batting on a different wicket,” he added.
When questioned about how West Indies would approach the Test, Justin Greaves stated that despite the Green-Smith vigil, the hosts remained positive.
“For us try and keep Australia under 300 (on Day 4), that is one of our main goals,” Justin Greaves said.
On their batting approach for the chase, Greaves hoped that the West Indies batters could follow a methodology similar to Australia’s middle-order batters.
“As a batting group we need to be positive when we go out to bat. Probably take some notes from Travis Head, Beau Webster or Alex Carey on just having that positive mindset,” he added.
Half-centuries from Alex Carey and Beau Webster helped Australia reach 286 in their first innings. Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph and Justin Greaves took two wickets apiece.
West Indies was bowled out for 253 and conceded a lead of 33 runs. Brendon King scored 75 runs.
For Australia, Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers and took three wickets. Captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets each. (ANI)
I enjoyed the Nothing Phone 2. I wasn’t bothered that it wasn’t as powerful as most flagship devices at the time, and I loved that I didn’t have to pay as much. Nothing stayed within itself, delivering a phone with a clean UI and smooth performance. We waited a bit longer than expected for an encore, but the Nothing Phone 3 is finally on the way.
The Nothing Phone 3 may not be for everyone, but that’s okay. Nothing is in a position to create a niche product with a unique design, as it is not constrained by the same pressures as other Android manufacturers.
Sure, the company wants to sell a ton of phones, but it gets to have fun in the process, taking chances that would sink other companies. The Nothing Phone 3 does what Samsung can’t — and I’m here for it.
Related
Nothing Phone 3 hands-on: The ultimate expression of Nothingness
Nothing calls the Phone 3 its first true flagship phone, and it’s right, but this is no spec-heavy super phone. It’s something better
I’m sorry to see the Glyph Interface go
But I’m willing to give the Glyph Matrix a chance
The Nothing Phone 3’s Glyph Matrix
I never set up my Glyph Interface with different patterns for each contact, but I loved the visual feedback I got from across the room when I received a call or notification. I mourned the loss of notification LEDs on modern smartphones, so the Glyph Interface appealed to me.
The Glyph Matrix is different, but it’s still a way to get visual information from my phone at a glance. I appreciate a well-done always-on display, but I struggle to differentiate notifications from a few feet away, unlike with an old-school notification LED.
I’m hoping that the Glyph Matrix can be programmed to display recognizable patterns from further away, but I applaud that Nothing has included something different from other Android manufacturers.
The Nothing Phone 3’s Glyph Matrix
The Nothing Phone 3 design is also something you won’t see from Samsung anytime soon. Between its clear back and funky camera placement, the Nothing Phone 3 is an original.
I’ll admit, it’s easier to take bold design chances when you’re not one of the top-selling Android OEMs in the world, but there must be an in-between. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s design was a snoozefest, and we saw hardly any changes from previous models.
Innovation under the hood
A silicon-carbon battery is a must-have
I’m expecting outstanding battery life from the Nothing Phone 3, thanks in part to its 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery. I’ve heard numerous excuses as to why Samsung hasn’t adopted newer battery technology, but none of them hold water.
I find it hard to believe that a company with Samsung’s resources can’t find a safe way to fit a silicon-carbon battery inside its devices. We’ve heard rumors the Galaxy S26 may contain one, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Nothing doesn’t have to carry the baggage of the Galaxy Note 7, freeing up the company to include the latest and greatest in its phones. Yes, the Galaxy S25 Ultra did see improved battery life from the same 5,000mAh lithium-ion cell as its predecessor, but I’m getting a full two days of use from my OnePlus 13 that features silicon-carbon tech.
If the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is as battery-efficient as last year’s chipset, I’m looking forward to two days of use from a single charge on the Nothing Phone 3.
Doesn’t have to be the most powerful phone
I’ll take a lower cost instead
Nothing understands that you can build a phone that provides a flagship experience without including a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. I’ve made the same argument about the Google Pixel lineup. Raw performance is essential in a flagship phone, but we often grossly overestimate the amount of power we need.
I don’t edit videos or photos on my phone, and I’ve yet to find a mobile game that demands the power a Snapdragon 8 Elite provides. If you’ve found a use for all that extra power, you’re going to look for a device like a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
However, for the rest of us, I’ll take the savings I get from the Nothing Phone 3, only shelling out $800 for well-designed software, a unique piece of hardware, and snappy, high-end performance.
I hope Nothing isn’t the only one
We need more companies like Nothing, not fewer. It’s only when we get devices like the Nothing Phone 3 that we see the sharp contrast to a lackluster device like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Yes, there are market factors involved that prevent Samsung from taking too many chances, but I refuse to believe there aren’t some avenues for boldness. The Nothing Phone 3 does what Samsung can’t — and I can’t wait to use one.
SoC
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
RAM
12/16GB
Storage
256/512GB
Battery
5,150 mAh
Ports
USB-C 2.0
Operating System
Android 15
Nothing Phone (3) is the first “true flagship” from the London-based brand. It comes with a 6.67-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, triple 50MP rear cameras, and a 5,150mAh battery. It retains Nothing’s transparent design language and comes with an upgraded Glyph Matrix.
India’s Neeraj Chopra in action during the men’s javelin on June 24, 2025. — Reuters
Olympic javelin star Neeraj Chopra headlined what was billed as India’s inaugural world-class field competition on Saturday, living up to his goal of elevating domestic talent while also walking away with another gold medal.
Chopra, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and silver at the 2024 Paris Games, triumphed with a throw of 86.18 meters at the 12-athlete javelin Neeraj Chopra Classic event.
He finished ahead of former world champion Julius Yego (silver) and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage (bronze).
“The biggest target of the competition was to uplift the Indian athletes alongside the international ones. We got the best javelin throwers to this competition,” Chopra told reporters after winning the competition.
The event drew more than 14,500 spectators — a figure that delighted Chopra, who has long championed greater public support for track and field events.
“We really wanted people to come and watch track and field,” said Chopra, who has single-handedly raised interest for athletics in India and has more than nine million Instagram followers.
“I always request people to come to the stadiums to cheer athletes as they work really hard.
“Track and field is one of the hardest sporting events. I request people to come and watch nationals as well… because our sport can only grow when people will come and watch us.”
The event featured three rounds with six attempts per participant, narrowing the field to eight after the initial round of three throws.
Among the five Indian competitors, three advanced to the second round including Chopra, outperforming international athletes such as former Olympic champion Thomas Rohler and the Czech Republic’s Martin Konecny.
“We have been doing really well in the sport. They (Indian athletes) were quite happy to get a platform to play alongside the world champions,” the 27-year-old said.
“We also plan to add more events to this competition going forward, which will help the Indian athletes more.”
Among the Indian athletes, apart from Chopra, Asian Athletics Championships silver medallist Sachin Yadav performed well, recording his best throw of 82.33m in the third attempt.
“Sachin could have performed better but he twisted his ankle in his opening throw. Overall, it was good. They will hopefully do well in the future. They are juniors and have time on their hand so will surely do better,” Chopra said.
What if you want to see as much as possible of a mechanical movement, without compromising the practicality of an automatic one? The simplest answer, sort of, is the micro-rotor automatic, of course. This neatly integrates a small winding mass into the movement, without obscuring it from view. It also challenges manufacturers to flex their watchmaking muscles as it requires more and smaller components. It’s far from the easiest solution, though, but the end result is superbly rewarding. So with that in mind, here’s a look at some of the finest micro-rotor automatic watches on the market!
Schwarz Etienne 1902 Petite Seconde
Schwarz Etienne is quite well-known for its impressive in-house movements, and the 1902 Petite Seconde is one of the latest to carry that tradition forward. The elegantly proportioned time-only watch comes in three Sector-like dial variations: Silver, Slate Grey, or Rose Gold (salmon!). But the real star of the show is found around the back, with the Calibre ASE300.00. The micro-rotor sends up to 86 hours of energy to the barrel, and is joined by four elegant finger bridges. The finishing of it all is of the highest level, with hand-polished teeth on the ratchet wheel, for instance. Worn on a leather strap, it retails for CHF 18,000.
For more information, please visit Schwarz-Etienne.com.
Quick Facts – 39mm x 10.9mm – titanium, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water-resistant – silver, slate grey or rose gold dial – sector layout – polished indices & hands – recessed small seconds subdial – Calibre ASE300.00 – in-house automatic with micro-rotor – 191 components – 21,600vph – 86h power reserve – hours, minutes, (hacking) seconds – alligator or calfskin leather strap with titanium pin buckle – CHF 18,000
Louis Vuitton Tambour Ceramic
With the revamp of the Tambour two years ago, Louis Vuitton entered the luxury sports watch segment with a bang, and following from the stainless steel versions, came this surprising brown ceramic version! The scratch-proof exterior is combined with 18k rose gold elements for a unique look, a styling cue that also finds its way to the dial. The Calibre LFT023, developed with Le Cercle des Horlogers, is driven by a 22k gold micro-rotor with the famous LV motif as a decoration. The rest shows a rather contemporary style of finishing, and the watch is fitted with a ceramic and gold bracelet. It’s not limited per se, and it retails for EUR 75,000.
For more information, please visit LouisVuitton.com.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 8.3mm – brown ceramic & 18k rose gold case – ceramic crown – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water-resistant – stepped brown dial – rose gold markers & hands – Calibre LFT023, proprietary micro-rotor automatic (Les Cercle des Horlogers) – 28,800vph – 50h power reserve – 22k gold micro-rotor – hours, minutes, small seconds – integrated brown ceramic & rose gold bracelet with invisible rose gold triple-folding clasp – EUR 75,000
The Calibre 96 series by Chopard is a legend in the field of micro-rotors. It has served as the base for plenty of winners in the brand’s wonderful L.U.C line, including this one, the L.U.C Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition. Under the Qualité Fleurier certification, the yellow gold and brown dress watch surpasses the most stringent quality standards in the Swiss industry. At the heart of the watch beats the Calibre 96.09-L, an in-house micro-rotor automatic with Chopard’s Twin-Barrel system for 65 hours of power reserve. Limited to 20 pieces, one for each year the QF certification has been in use, this one retails for EUR 33,000.
If a dress watch has to incorporate a date display, the way Laurent Ferrier has integrated it into the design of its Classic Auto is perhaps one of the best ways to do it. The latest, finished in fresh Horizon Blue, continues the brand’s legacy in superb watchmaking, both in design and in mechanics. The pebble-shaped steel case, 40mm in width and fully polished, wears beautifully on the wrist and houses the brand’s Calibre LF270.01. This proprietary automatic has a platinum micro-rotor and is finished to the highest standards. It’s worn on a taupe goat-leather strap with a steel pin buckle, and is part of the permanent collection. The price is CHF 45,000.
For more information, please visit LaurentFerrier.ch.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 11.94mm – stainless steel case, polished – ball-shaped crown – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistant – light blue galvanic lacquered dial – dark blue transfers – drop-shaped indices, Assegai-shaped hands – recessed date ‘frame’ – Calibre LF270.01, proprietary automatic – platinum micro-rotor – 28,800vph – 72h power reserve – taupe goat-leather strap with steel pin buckle – permanent collection – CHF 45,000
Piaget Polo 79 White Gold
Probably the most outspoken design of the watches on this list, the Piaget Polo 79 in White Gold is a true stunner front to back. It rekindles Yves Piaget’s iconic 1979 design, with horizontal gadroons across the bracelet, case and dial. First presented in yellow gold, this white gold edition tones things down a touch without compromising its character. Inside ticks the Piaget Calibre 1200P1, an ultra-thin in-house micro-rotor automatic. A neat touch is the circular Côtes de Genève on the mainplate, which continues on the top of the rotor. The white gold bracelet is seamlessly integrated into the case. It will set you back EUR 85,500 incl. VAT.
For more information, please visit Piaget.com.
Quick Facts – 38mm x 7.45mm – white gold case, brushed & polished – horizontal gadroons – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water-resistant – striped gold dial with gadroons – 18k gold hands – Piaget Calibre 1200P1, in-house automatic – micro-rotor automatic – 21,600vph – 44h power reserve – hours, minutes – circular Côtes de Genève – 18k white gold bracelet with gadroons – triple-folding clasp – permanent collection – EUR 85,500 incl. VAT
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Yellow Gold
It goes without saying that the Bulgari Octo Finissimo is a modern-day icon of watchmaking. The ultra-thin collection has genuinely challenged the status quo, breaking records left and right. The Octo Finissimo Automatic is at the core of it all, perhaps, coming in at just 6.40mm in height. Over the years, we’ve seen it in all sorts of materials and finishes. This matte sand-blasted yellow gold edition is one of the latest and greatest in the series, relying on the ultra-thin calibre BVL 138, driven by a platinum micro-rotor. The equally edgy integrated bracelet matches the case in terms of finishing. Part of the permanent collection, it retails for EUR 51,500.
For more information, please visit Bulgari.com.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 6.40mm – 18k yellow gold case, matte sand-blasted – flat sapphire crystal front & back – screw-down crown with black ceramic cap – 100m water-resistant – sandblasted yellow gold dial – black markers & hands – Calibre BVL 138 – manufacture ultra-thin automatic – platinum micro-rotor – 21,600vph – 60h power reserve – integrated matte-sandblasted yellow gold bracelet – hidden folding clasp – permanent collection – EUR 51,500
Tanvir Islam took five wickets for 39 runs against SL in Colombo
What’s the story
Bangladesh leveled the three-ODI series against Sri Lanka with a hard-fought victory in the second match.
Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam’s brilliant bowling performance took the visitors to a 16-run win in Colombo.
He took five wickets for just 39 runs, proving instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka, who were chasing 249.
Tanvir became the second Bangladesh bowler with a fifer vs Sri Lanka in ODIs.
#1
Tanvir Islam: 5/39 in Colombo, 2025
In Colombo, Tanvir recorded his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.
The Bangladesh spinner recorded figures worth 5/39 from 10 overs. He bowled two maidens.
In two ODIs, Tanvir has raced to six wickets at 13.83. His economy rate is 4-plus.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the 28-year-old owns 171 wickets in List A cricket from 114 games at 24.45. He picked his third fifer.
#2
Abdur Razzak: 5/62 in Pallekele, 2013
Spinner Abdur Razzak is the only other Bangladesh bowler to have taken a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
His exploits came in the 2013 Pallekele ODI.
Razzak took five wickets for 62 runs as the Lankans racked up 302/9 in 50 overs. Bangladesh had a revised target of 183 in 27 overs due to rain.
They later won through the DLS method.
Information
Tanvir enters this list
As per ESPNcricinfo, Tanvir now has the best bowling figures for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket. He is now one of only four Bangladesh spinners with a five-wicket haul in away ODIs.
LOS ANGELES — In a summer full of blockbusters, writer-director James Gunn’s “Superman” might have the most riding on it. It’s not just a reboot of one of the most beloved superheroes of all time — the film, in theaters July 11, is also the first entry in a new cinematic universe intended to revive DC Studios after years of misfires and scattered storytelling.
And for six weeks last summer, Gunn, the “Guardians of the Galaxy” filmmaker named co-chair of DC Studios in 2022, brought the high-stakes production to a place close to the character’s roots: Cleveland.
“We cast cities in the same way we cast actors,” Gunn said in an interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer in Los Angeles. “We looked all over for the best Metropolis. We liked Cincinnati a lot, but we really liked Cleveland. It’s because of all the old Art Deco architecture that people really don’t know about. Although we were making whatever city we filmed in a much bigger city than it is, Cleveland worked best for all of the basic architecture we’re using up close.”
Indeed, Cleveland’s building stock provided the timeless aesthetic that production designer Beth Mickle envisioned for Metropolis, where Superman’s alias Clark Kent works as a reporter with Lois Lane at the Daily Planet, and where his nemesis Lex Luthor, operates a billion-dollar tech company.
In this age of digital effects and virtual sets, the city’s role is bigger than locals might expect. Gunn and his crew shot scenes at Public Square, the Arcade, City Hall, Progressive Field and the Leader Building, which stands in for the Daily Planet. During the opening battle, the Hammer of Boravia slams Superman to the ground at PNC Plaza, leaving a huge crater. Later, Superman saves a woman from a building crashing down on the Detroit-Superior Bridge. The scenes are dazzling, and the local landmarks are instantly recognizable.
The payoff isn’t just seeing Cleveland on the big screen — there was an economic boost, too. Based on the tax credit it received, the production spent an estimated $37 million in Northeast Ohio. (Gunn has pushed back, however, on reports about the exact size of the film’s overall budget.)
The Superman exhibit in the baggage area at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport lets travelers know Cleveland’s role in the creation of the Man of Steel. (Peggy Turbett / The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer
Honoring Superman’s roots
The city certainly looked the part, but filming here meant more to Gunn and DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran than architecture and tax credits. The character of Superman was created by Glenville students Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in the 1930s. The first iteration of Metropolis was based on their hometown.
“The idea that we were shooting in the town in which this character was born — there was something very poetic about that,” Safran said in the production notes.
Gunn didn’t make that connection until he arrived in the city last June.
“I didn’t really know that they were from Cleveland until I was in Cleveland,” he said. “Right after I heard that, I came around the corner and the Terminal Tower was there, and they had lit it up in the colors of Superman. It was a really magical moment.”
For his vision of Superman, Gunn was influenced by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s “All-Star Superman,” a 12-part comic book series that ran from 2005 to 2008. The series presented Superman as optimistic, selfless and compassionate. But there was plenty to mine from Siegel and Shuster’s original creation, too.
“The heart of Superman — the goodness and the purity — started with those guys, even the basic look of Superman,” Gunn said. “Superman has had many collaborators over the years, but none of it exists without the seed that was planted by Jerry and Joe.”
The director made sure to honor their legacy throughout the film. In the Arcade scene, every business sign is either a comic book reference or a nod to Siegel’s family. The street signs in Metropolis are named after DC artists and writers. Siegel’s grandsons, Michael and James Larson, actually appear in a scene inside the Daily Planet newsroom. Gunn also shared the script with them ahead of filming, as a way to include them in the process.
“The one moment I really shed a tear was when Jerry’s grandsons read the script for the first time,” he told Extra TV. “They were just effusive. They were like, ‘This is the Superman movie we’ve been waiting to see. Our grandfather would have been so proud.’ That meant a lot.”
Superman director James Gunn talks with Superman, played by David Corenswet, during the filming of the movie on Public Square in Cleveland.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
A fresh take on an icon
Gunn’s Man of Steel is a departure from the brooding, emotionally guarded hero portrayed by Henry Cavill in Zack Snyder’s Superman trilogy. The director also eschews the traditional approach of starting on Krypton, watching Clark grow up in Smallville and following him to Metropolis. Instead, this is a coming-of-age story that picks up three years after Superman reveals himself to the world, still struggling to find his place in it.
“We’ve seen Superman’s origin more times than we can count,” Gunn said. “We’ve also seen a lot of Superman post-relationship with Lois, whether they’re (already) boyfriend-girlfriend or married. I think seeing Superman when he’s in the first three months of the relationship, when Lois can’t figure out what she wants this to be, was fertile territory. It’s something that’s never really been focused on in any media.”
David Corenswet, stepping into the blue suit, red cape and trunks (yes, they’re back!) for the first time, praised the decision to skip the origin story.
“It allows us to meet these characters where they’re already embedded in the most basic, important parts of their lives, and yet it feels like the beginning of a whole new adventure,” he said in the production notes. “You get to just dive right in and pick up the pieces along the way, which is definitely how I like to watch a movie.”
Gunn wanted the franchise to move away from the dark, brooding antiheroes that have dominated comic book movies for the past two decades. His Superman is good and noble in a world that no longer values those things. His powers are almost secondary to his humanity. He’s grounded, relatable — he even has an unruly superdog named Krypto.
Gunn’s Superman isn’t made of steel. He’s not indestructible. In fact, in the film’s opening scene, he’s bleeding after suffering his first real defeat.
“One of the interesting things is we come into this movie and we’re like, hey, we want to be Superman. We want to be superhuman, super strong, fly, beams out of our eyes,” Gunn said. “And then we realize over the course of the movie that Superman wants nothing more than to be human, to be us. That’s what he cherishes.”
In the film, Superman is torn between his Kryptonian origins and the human values instilled in him by his adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent (played by Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell). At his core, he doesn’t want to rule or dominate — he wants to belong. That, Gunn believes, is what makes the character feel more relevant than ever.
“Over the years, people have thought of Superman as old-fashioned and too Pollyanna. But I think all those things are what make him the world’s biggest rebel right now,” he said. “It goes against the grain of what our popular culture is like these days.”
To bring this version of Superman to life, Gunn assembled a cast that embraced the emotional depth of the story and his creative approach to filmmaking. Corenswet plays Superman/Clark Kent with warmth and vulnerability. Rachel Brosnahan brings sharp wit and fearless energy to Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a worthy adversary whose sophisticated demeanor masks truly evil intentions. Cleveland native Isabela Merced portrays the flying, mace-wielding warrior Hawkgirl.
“The main reason I wanted to do this is because of James. I’m a big fan of his work,” Merced told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. “He always has a clear vision. And it may be weird and out there, but it works because that’s his true artistic expression.”
The large cast of characters also features Daily Planet staffers Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) and Perry White (Wendell Pierce); Hawkgirl’s Justice Gang teammates Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion); Lex Luthor’s goons the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan); plus a few surprises from the DC Universe. But Gunn made sure the world-building didn’t distract from the movie he was making.
“First and foremost, I always care about just this movie by itself,” he said. “I’ll never sacrifice any moment in this movie for some future thing. I’m not going to put stuff in there that hurts the movie. But it just so happens that because I wanted Superman to have friends — both superhuman like the Justice Gang and human like the Daily Planet gang — it works pretty well for setting up future stories.”
But when pressed about the through line for the first phase of the DCU, intriguingly titled “Gods and Monsters,” Gunn refused to take the bait.
“I think we’ll have to wait around and see that.”
He admitted that launching a franchise with a character as iconic as Superman was daunting at first — not just because it marks the start of a whole cinematic universe, but because of what Superman represents to so many people.
But once he dug in, that pressure turned into something more familiar — and personal.
“When I started working on the film, it became pretty easy because I’m a Superman fan,” Gunn said. “So, I found it pretty easy to be true to how I conceive Superman, how most people conceive Superman. Most Superman fans see Superman. But at the same time, adding some things that maybe we hadn’t seen in a movie before — that comes from my love of Superman in the comic books.”
Whether fans embrace his “Superman” — and how its box office performance shapes the future of the DCU — remains to be seen. Gunn and the cast are currently touring the globe, making sure people see it. But no matter what happens next, he’ll always have a soft spot for where it all began.
“I had the greatest time in Cleveland. The Cleveland people were great,” he said. “I think they know how much I like them, if they’ve seen any of my posts. They were just fantastic throughout (filming).
“And I’ve got a billion Cleveland T-shirts that I wear to this day.”
“Superman” opens in theaters on Friday, July 11
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