'Justice League' SDCC Trailer Suggests Superman's Resurrection Will Herald A New Era In The DCEU

For fans of the DC Extended Universe, the highlight of San Diego Comic-Con was undoubtedly the new trailer for Justice League. Excitement is building for the November release, and the latest trailer showed a film that seems increasingly confident in its own character. Where previous films had been criticized for their darkness, Justice League looks set to carefully balance that mood and tone with strong character-work and a powerful narrative.

All eyes are focused on the second half of the trailer, as fans are particularly thrilled to see the Justice League unite against the threat of Steppenwolf. But it's the first half of the new trailer that shows how Justice League fits into the wider DCEU, by exploring the impact of #Superman's death.

A World Without Superman

Indeed, it seems that Justice League will subtly reinterpret Superman's role in the #DCEU. Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice presented the Man of Steel as a controversial, divisive figure. Although he had a clear Messianic role in the plot, Snyder was well aware that Jesus himself declared he had come not to bring peace, but a sword. Just as the world divided over Jesus, ultimately crucifying him, so Snyder showed Superman as a hero who was feared and distrusted as much as he was loved and adored.

Justice League takes a different approach. The trailer suggests that posthumously, Superman has become a subject of hope to the world, inspiring men and women to believe they could be better. It's very true to the character we see in the comics, who has always been an inspirational superhero, but the reality is that we didn't see much of that in Man of Steel and Dawn of Justice. That isn't really an issue, though; popular culture is a fluid, ever-changing thing, and it's quite possible that the world would redefine Superman's meaning after his death.

Batman's Quest

Equally interesting is another subtle detail; that the "Gotham Bat" has disappeared too, even as a crime wave sweeps the globe. The Dark Knight has traditionally been the guardian of Gotham, but Superman's death has spurred him to take on another role. He's spent months travelling the globe, seeking out the different members of the Justice League, and has essentially left Gotham unprotected.

This has given Gotham its own symbolic void. #Batman, of course, was never a figure of hope; his goal is simply to ensure criminals live in fear. His absence has meant criminals in Gotham are no longer afraid, and has undoubtedly left Gotham City Police Department struggling to deal with the rise in crime.

Justice League Will Transform The DCEU

This is more than just an intriguing detail; it's a fundamental plot point, and it helps us to understand how Justice League will reshape the DCEU. We all know that Superman is destined to return. Warner Bros. is avoiding giving us any footage, but it's the worst-kept secret in the history of superhero films. What this trailer tells us, though, is something of the impact Superman's resurrection will have on the world.

Quite simply, Superman's resurrection will stand for the return of hope. After his death, he's been reinterpreted by the world as a symbol. His return will rekindle the flame of hope across the world, bringing the time of darkness to an end. Geoff Johns, the popular comic book writer who now acts as Head of #DC Film, has long argued that hope and optimism are written into the DNA of the DC Universe. His statements have stood in marked contrast to most of the DC movies to date, but Justice League is how we'll get to that point.

That first half of the #SDCC2017 Justice League trailer is essential viewing. It's a reassuring message from Warner Bros. to superhero fans all over the world; this film is the turning point. With Superman's death, the world has become bereft of hope. His return, though, will inspire the world. The Justice League is gathering, the Man of Steel will join them, and the Age of Heroes will come again.