….
The editing bay was silent for a moment after the rough cut ended.
Zack hesitated, then cleared his throat. "I think my throat's a bit sore… I need some water."
"It's not finished yet." Regal was already making notes. "The flight sequence needs the background composite. The Kryptonian ship needs full hologram effects. The battle sequences need debris and destruction passes."
"I know. But the emotional core is there. Once the VFX team completes their work, this is going to be beyond anything else I have done."
Regal stood, walking to the window. "We are also going to shoot some trailer-exclusive footage."
"What?"
"Shots that look like they are from the film but aren't actually in it. Strategic misdirection to avoid spoiling key moments."
"Isnt that a bit... devious?"
"We are releasing the trailer a lot earlier… So it's necessary. Jonathan's death is the emotional climax. We can't show it in the trailer. So we will cut the trailer with fake shots that create an illusion that he will be throughout the film."
"What kind of shots?"
"Many. For example Jonathan and Clark during the tornado. Audiences will speculate, but they won't know for sure."
Zack nodded slowly. "You have thought this through."
"I have thought about nothing else for three days."
….
Another week had passed.
Leo's team had delivered the priority shots.
Not all forty, that would have been impossible from the start.
Nevertheless, the flight sequence was complete, the Kryptonian ship looked spectacular, and the battle sequences had enough finished effects to cut together compelling moments.
Regal and Zack spent another week refining. Adjusting timing by frames. Repositioning cuts for maximum impact.
Testing different music cues.
They brought in Ludwig Göransson to score the trailer. He composed a piece that began with intimate piano, Jonathan and Clark's relationship, then evolved into soaring orchestral heroism as Superman emerged.
"Okay, now I can confidently say that… This is the best trailer I have ever worked on." Zack said during their final review session. "And I have cut a lot of trailers."
"It better be." Regal replied. "This is our chance to control the narrative. To show people what this film actually is, not what they think it might be."
"...and since we confirmed Stephen Sr. The internet is going to explode."
"I am counting on it."
….
Trailer Release Day.
The trailer clip of [Superman] dropped at 9:00 AM Pacific Time simultaneously across all platforms: MeTube, Twitter and Facebook, and various social media pages.
There wasn't any pre-announcement, countdown, or teaser for the trailer.
Just: SUPERMAN: MAN OF TOMORROW - Official Trailer.
Within the first minute: 100,000 views.
Within five minutes: 500,000 views.
Within thirty minutes: 2.3 million views.
Within the first hour: 5.7 million views.
….
Just as the view increased, so did the opinions of people began to spread, and the MeTube comments section was the first to be spammed–
@FilmFanatic33: OMG GUYS, STOP EVERYTHING. Did you HEAR that voice?! That is Stephen Hawking Sr. narrating the trailer. No cap, it has to be him. I'm literally shaking right now. They got a LEGEND. Best casting reveal EVER. (Likes) 251K (Comments) 15.1K
@CryingInTheClub: I'm not gonna lie, I literally burst into tears at the end. That last line, "I am so proud of you, son." over the music... and in Stephen Hawking's voice?? I'm gonna need a box of tissues just for the trailer reaction videos. Seriously, who's cutting onions?! (Likes) 210K (Comments) 9.5K
@GeekSquadVFX: Let's talk specs! Those physics-bending visuals, the flight over Metropolis, that Kryptonian ship model... this is NOT just a green screen. This is what $200 million is supposed to look like. Every single frame is desktop background material. #GameChanger (Likes) 175K (Comments) 8.1K
@TheRealLeakPolice: Okay, I owe the leakers an apology. I was the biggest hater. I thought that plot outline was total BS and there was no way they'd cast Hawking. I was WRONG. I am SO sorry. Take my money. This looks absolutely FIRE. Hype train has officially left the station. (Likes) 152K (Comments) 7.0K
@ComparingToMDCU: MarvelD's cinematic universe is fun, but THIS is what superhero cinema should aspire to be. Emotional depth, visual spectacle, and a legendary actor giving us what will probably be the performance of the decade. Take notes, everybody. (Likes) 205K (Comments) 26.2K
….
Next in business creating more buzz is on Twitter–
Twitter - Trending Worldwide #1: #SupermanManOfTomorrow
@EntertainmentWeekly: The first trailer for SUPERMAN: MAN OF TOMORROW is here, and yes, it confirms Stephen Hawking Sr. is coming out of retirement!
His voice narrates the whole trailer as Jonathan Kent. Goosebumps don't lie.
[Embedded trailer - 12.3M views in 2 hours]
423K Retweets | 891K Likes | 89K Replies
….
@FilmCriticTop: This trailer is PURE CINEMA. A masterclass in show, don't tell. Every shot is loaded with character, and the pacing is flawless. And Stephen Hawking's voice work? Call the Academy now. Give him the Oscar for 90 seconds of dialogue. Seriously.
#Superman #ManOfTomorrow
160K Retweets | 395K Likes
….
@MDCComicsFanpage: WE. ARE. SO. BACK.
BREAKING SUPERMAN TRAILER STATS:
| 5.7M views in 1 hour
| Trending #1 worldwide
| Stephen Hawking confirmed as Jonathan Kent
| December 19 release date IS REAL THIS IS NOT A DRILL
#MDCU #WeAreEatingGood
234K Retweets | 567K Likes
….
@RangerFanButHonest: Okay, I'm a massive #PowerRangers nerd, but I have to admit this Superman trailer just HIT ME DIFFERENTLY. I actually got chills. The emotion, the weight, the way Stephen Hawking says that one line... this movie is going to be genuinely special.
Hype level: 10/10.
90K Retweets | 237K Likes
….
Reddit - r/movies:
"Superman: Man of Tomorrow - Official Trailer Discussion" Posted by u/AutoModerator - 156K upvotes - 23.4K comments
u/EmotionalCinema [89K upvotes] I have watched this trailer twelve times in the last hour. Twelve times.
I cry at the same spot every single time: "I am so proud of you, son." Stephen Hawking Sr. hasn't even appeared on screen yet and he has already delivered the most devastating performance of the year. That voice is going to haunt my dreams.
….
u/AgreementComplete [67K upvotes] The "I am so proud of you" line isn't even in the main trailer narrative. It's at the very end, almost a whisper, like a ghost. Like Jonathan is already gone but his words remain.
That's BRILLIANT filmmaking.
….
u/SkepticTurnedBeliever [54K upvotes] I'm here to take my L. I spent months writing "debunked" posts saying the Hawking leak was fake. I said it was too good to be true. I was wrong. Not only is he in it, he's the soul of the movie. Seeing the legend return for the MDCU is the highlight of my year.
I apologize to everyone I argued with. You guys were right.
….
u/ComparingFilmmaking [48K Upvotes] The contrast here is wild:
| Power Rangers: Fun, quippy, colorful. It's a great popcorn flick, but it's a standalone story.
| Regal's MDCU: This is the first true Cinematic Universe. It's grounded, heavy, and thematic.
It's hilarious seeing rumors that the Rangers producers are already trying to "copy" the MDCU tactic by planning spin-offs to create their own universe.
Regal really changed the game
→ u/AgreementHere [39K Upvotes] Exactly. Everyone is going to try to build "Universes" now because of the MDCU. But Regal did it first and did it with actual heart.
….
Variety - Online Article
HEADLINE: [Stephen Hawking Sr.'s Triumphant Return: Superman Trailer Confirms Legendary Actor's Comeback]
The first trailer for Regal Seraphsail's Superman: Man of Tomorrow dropped this morning, confirming the industry's biggest secret: Stephen Hawking Sr. (78) has officially come out of retirement.
Hawking's iconic voice guides the entire 2-minute-40-second look at the film, playing Jonathan Kent. His final line - "I'm so proud of you, Clark" - is already the most-shared clip in social media history.
This marks Hawking's first role since his 1986 Oscar-winning turn in The Last Confession.
….
Later that day, inside LIE Studio.
Regal sat in his office, being reported with reception of the trailer.
10 million views.
15 million views.
20 million views.
His phone was exploding with messages:
[Stan Lee: Kid, you just broke the internet. That trailer is EVERYWHERE. The board is absolutely thrilled.]
[Leo Martinez: The cinematography work is getting praised across every industry forum. This is it, Regal. Career-defining for all of us. I'm already fielding calls.]
[Henry Cavill: Just watched the trailer again. I'M IN THAT FILM AND I STILL GOT CHILLS. Thank you for this opportunity. I owe you a steak dinner.]
[Stephen Hawking Sr.: Saw the trailer. Well done.]
That last message made Regal pause.
That's it?
Just well done?
He couldn't help but chuckle.
A sharp, professional rap on the door announced Samantha.
"The studio wants an immediate call." she said, stepping in. "They are... very happy."
"I bet they are."
"Also, entertainment outlets are requesting interviews. Everyone wants to talk about Stephen's return, the trailer's reception, your approach to Superman—"
"Schedule them strategically," Regal commanded, his voice firm. "No more than two major outlets a week. We control the narrative now. No saturation, just targeted, high-value drops."
Samantha made notes. "The Deadpool team also reached out. Reynolds wants to know if they should drop their trailer now to capitalize on the comic buzz."
Regal shook his head slowly. "Tell them to wait two weeks. Let Superman have its moment - the global, serious cinematic moment. Then Deadpool can swoop in and steal some thunder with their Valentine's Day angle. We don't share the spotlight."
"Will do."
….
By the day's true end, the Superman trailer had shattered expectations, accumulating a staggering 32 million views across all platforms.
It remained the global #1 trending topic on Twitter.
Entertainment news had declared it the lead story on every broadcast, and critics were already boldly calling it "the best superhero trailer ever made."
Stephen Hawking Sr.'s involvement was no longer a beautiful rumor; it was a confirmed, official reality. And the global audience was waiting.
Regal stood at his office window, watching the Los Angeles sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and crimson - Superman's colors.
Five months until release and the audiences saw the complete film.
That's when they will learn whether all this anticipation was justified.
But for now, in this powerful, quiet moment, they had succeeded. They had architected a viral moment, taken control of the narrative, and elevated a superhero film to a cultural event.
And the world was waiting to watch it.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
Advance Happy New Year Guys!!
.....
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