Why Superman Is in Pain With Earth’s Yellow Sun in New Trailer Video

DC Studios and James Gunn recently debuted a brand-new trailer for Superman, set to hit theaters this July. The footage featured several intriguing reveals, including one where Superman appears to be hurt by Earth’s yellow sun. As a result, fans are now wondering why Superman is in pain and why Earth’s sun would harm him upon exposure.

Here is all we know.

Why Earth’s yellow sun hurts Superman in the new extended trailer video

The Earth’s yellow sun seems to hurt Superman as he is undergoing an intense healing process to heal multiple injuries sustained to his body. As revealed in the new trailer, the Man of Steel has suffered 14 fractured bones, as well as damage to his bladder, kidney, large intestine, and lungs.

However, it’s not the sun that is actually hurting him, but the healing process. This is because multiple damaged body parts are healing simultaneously. Healing even one part of the body is incredibly painful by itself. Therefore, healing multiple parts at the same time causes unimaginable levels of pain.

In the comics, solar energy from the yellow sun is the source of Superman’s — or any Kryptonian’s — strength. If a Kryptonian is rendered powerless, exposure to massive levels of yellow sun radiation will restore their powers.

The yellow sun plays a prominent role in Grant Morrison’s comic book series “All-Star Superman,” which James Gunn’s Superman is inspired by. In this comic, the yellow sun plays a prominent role, as Superman’s overexposure to it gives him a slow death sentence.

Thus, the comic suggests that overexposure to the yellow sun is detrimental to Superman’s well-being. The new trailer itself reinforces that notion. It mentions the exact healthy amount of sun rays Superman needs for healing — 292 times Saharan Prime.

Superman takes flight on July 11, 2025. David Corenswet headlines the film as the titular protagonist. Supporting cast members include Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Skyler Gisondo, Anthony Carrigan, Isabela Merced, and Nathan Fillion.