Superman soars: Puppy Bowl teaser surprises fans everywhere

WEB DESK: James Gunn’s forthcoming Superman movie is stirring surprise among fans, but the in the expected manner.

Instead of unveiling at trailer during the Super Bowl, Warner Bros opted for a unique approach by showcasing it during the Puppy Bowl, a decision that took many by surprise.

The Super Bowl has long been regarded as the premier venue for blockbuster movie trailers, as it draws in over 100 million viewers.

Major studies, including Marvel and DC, have consistently utilised the high-profile event to generate buzz for their upcoming flicks.

However, Warner Bros, it seems, decided to be ‘yoo-neeq’. The company chose to present the Superman teaser during the Puppy Bowl, which typically garners an audience of a mere 2-3 million.

The bemused Superman fans cannot decide whether the company is on the brink of bankruptcy or the budget for marketing ran out.

Many were forced to ponder, to the point of hair greying, the logic behind such a marketing strategy.

Critics argue that a movie of Superman calibre and embodying themes of actions and heroism is perfect for the Super Bowl, a chest-thumping display of masculinity. Why then it went for ‘cute and charming’ is anyone’s guess.

Several factors may have influenced this unconventional decision, the least of which is simply, ‘any attention is good marketing’, purely from a business standpoint. How many actors or celebs hasn’t dipped their toe in notoriety to garner the much-coveted clout and views? ‘Tis a strategy as old as Marilyn Monroe era.

The unconventionality of the campaign is the perfect thing to make people start talking, trend on Google, force every media outlet to put out a story – click, click, click!

There are other factors to consider, too, however. Advertising during the Super bowl comes with a hefty price tag, with even a 30-second spot costing around a whopping $7 million!

Warner Bros last featured a movie at the Super Bowl with ‘The Flash’ in 2023, a horrific box office bomb.

The Puppy Bowl may also provide a more engaged audience, as viewers are more likely to share content on social media. This might potentially amplify the movie’s visibility with more family-friendly audiences, many of whom has moved away from the superhero genre as it becomes more mature and darker.

The strategy could also align with the movie’s intended light-hearted tone, a departure from the dark and gritty tone Zack Snyder’s direction on DC movies took.

Despite the strategic reasoning, fans’ reactions are mixed. Many are bemused or feel downright insulted. More have raised the potential for Warner Bros’ lack of confidence in the movie’s potential box office performance, as well.

A few witty fans even quipped shifting the movie from the Kryptonian to his faithful canine companion itself.

Superman is scheduled to hit theatres on July 11 this year. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl LIX is set for February 9, where several other blockbuster movies’ trailers will premiere, including the latest Marvel offerings.