Part of the studio’s DC Universe Original Animated Movies line, this entry will adapt the 1992 comic book story arc of the same name. It will be set in the DC Animated Movie Universe, a continuity that began with Justice League: War (or Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, depending on how you look at it).
In the trailer, we see what looks like a meteor crash to Earth, only for a hulking being in some kind of bodysuit to emerge and begin wreaking havoc. Citizens panic as the alien slaughters them, and it quickly begins to take out the Justice League as well, setting up Superman to confront it.
Fans will recognize the creature―the alien visage of which is revealed more and more as the battle damages its suit―as Doomsday, a being of incredible power with a pathological hatred of all things Kryptonian. And if the title of the movie didn’t clue you in, it will take the ultimate sacrifice for Superman for finally stop it.
“You can’t go back after that thing. It’s suicide!” Lois Lane says at one point, as they watch Doomsday’s rampage from the air.
After only a moment’s hesitation, Superman says “I have to get back to work.”
Superman will be played by Jerry O’Connell, who has portrayed him in this continuity since Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015). Joining the franchise as Lois Lane will be Rebecca Romijn, O’Connell’s real-life wife, in a clever bit of casting. Other characters include Rosario Dawson as Wonder Woman, Jason O’Mara as Batman and Rainn Wilson as Lex Luthor.
The latter in particular is being set up as a main villain. The trailer ends with talking to a woman (presumably Mercy Graves), who asks “You think it might kill Superman?”
“It would save me a lot of trouble,” he replies.
Avid fans may remember that the Original Movies line already did “The Death of Superman” in 2007’s Superman: Doomsday. That film was a loose adaptation, however, due to putting the whole film in one movie; this one will be followed up in 2019 by Reign of the Supermen, dealing with the aftermath of Superman’s death.
The Death of Superman will be released August 7.
