SUPERMAN - James Gunn Talks KRYPTO's Inspiration, His Dog Ozu

SUPERMAN - James Gunn Talks KRYPTO's Inspiration, His Dog Ozu

Last night at CinemaCon 2025, James Gunn described how the idea for Krypto was based on his own dog, Ozu, when the pup wrecked his house.

By ChandlerMcniel - Apr 02, 2025 10:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Superman was all the buzz yesterday at Warner Bros stage at CinemaCon 2025. David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Safran, and James Gunn were all in attendance to talk about the upcoming summer blockbuster. Absent was Ozu, James Gunn's own dog and the inspiration for Krypto. 

Gunn described his experience with his own dog destroying his stuff and how that played into his thoughts for Superman.

“Ozu is terrible to anyone who comes near him,” Gunn joked. He recalled going to a shelter to rescue the canine: “He kind of looked like my old dog on crack.” He added, “I said, ‘That dog looks funny to me, and I like funny things.'”

“I thought, ‘Oh, my God, what if this dog had superpowers? I’d be f***ed. And I said, ‘Now I know what I’m going to do with Superman.'”

It's no secret that Gunn used his own dog for inspiration for Krypto. Some fans love the filmmaker’s personal touch, while others think it's a little self serving and would prefer for Krypto to be more comic accurate. In the comics, Krypto is portrayed as a white Labrador Retriever. In the movie, it Krypto will be smaller, scragglier, but still the same amount of heroic. 

It seems as if Krypto, while he will definitely help Superman save the day, will serve as a bit of comic relief in the film that Gunn has said has a more serious tone. At CinemaCon, an extended version of the snowy scene in which Superman is injured in the trailer was shown, and Krypto's actions are described as “comedic”.

“The footage starts similarly to the first trailer, with Superman crashing into the arctic, injured and whistling to summon Krypto, who arrives in a big snowy flurry. Krypto playfully jumps on Superman as he grunts in pain. “Take me home” he commands, holding out his cape. Krypto comedically drags Superman around the tundra as a crystal structure grows in the distance and creates two doors that glow with Superman’s logo — it’s the fortress of solitude.

Automatons greet Superman and pick him up to place him in a healing chamber powered by the sun. He tries to thank the automatons but they stress they do not have sentience. The clip transitions into the main Superman trailer, but ends with Superman leaving the fortress of solitude, almost leaving Krypto behind before his pet whimpers. He allows Krypto to tag along as he playfully charges and bites at Superman’s shoes as the clip ends."

While Krypto definitely could be a good source for comedic relief within the movie, there are bound to be those that want Krypto the just be Superman's friend and not a prankster. Regardless, Krypto is a welcome presence to just about every DC fan. 

Superman debuts July 11, 2025. Are you excited to see Krypto in action? Let us know in the comments!

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krayzeman
krayzeman - 4/2/2025, 10:03 AM
Love that they finally have Krypto in a movie. Cant. Wait.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 4/2/2025, 10:22 AM
Loath that they have Krypto in a movie. Can. Wait.
CaptainAwkward
CaptainAwkward - 4/2/2025, 10:50 AM
@Lisa89 - I understand that there are a lot of dog lovers out there but the general audience do not associate Superman with a dog. If people reject Krypto, this could be the end of the Superman franchise as we know it.
dragon316
dragon316 - 4/2/2025, 5:58 PM
@CaptainAwkward - maybe , maybe not fans thought same thing with batnipples Nolan did it good
TheNewYorker
TheNewYorker - 4/2/2025, 10:18 AM
Gunn is such a cornball LOL can’t believe they actually put Krypto The Super Dog in an actual movie 🤣 and it’s a tiny shaggy looking thing.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 4/2/2025, 10:21 AM
@TheNewYorker - it's the same breed as his rescue dog, at least there's a reason. What's yours for being a clown?
McMurdo
McMurdo - 4/2/2025, 10:34 AM
@TheNewYorker - I love the nu-Krypto design over the lab. The lab is just kinda boring honestly.
CaptainAwkward
CaptainAwkward - 4/2/2025, 10:41 AM
@TheNewYorker - my sentiments exactly. Whst is this guardians of the galaxy four lol.
dragon316
dragon316 - 4/2/2025, 5:59 PM
@TheNewYorker - it’s same situation with dog pool in Deadpool 3 movie is pug comic k9
Pictilli
Pictilli - 4/2/2025, 10:22 AM
Love it!
bobevanz
bobevanz - 4/2/2025, 10:25 AM
If they go the fish out of water route and emphasize his loneliness, and since Krypto is the only left from his planet it will resonate with people. Now add his positive outlook and smile to the shitty world around him and this will make a billion dollars. The floor is Man of Steel's 670 million which won't be hard at all
McMurdo
McMurdo - 4/2/2025, 10:36 AM
@bobevanz - oh its going to make a ton of money. I don't think this movie has a chance at bombing with the marketing they are gonna do and with Krypto involved. People just love dogs lol and Gunn said he's pushing this film like Barbie starting mid April to early may
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 4/2/2025, 10:26 AM
“He kind of looked like my old dog on crack.”

Straight from the horses mouth and people here got their panties in a twist when i said krypto looked homeless.
😮‍💨🤣
CaptainAwkward
CaptainAwkward - 4/2/2025, 10:44 AM
@JurassicClunge - “my old dog on crack” I’m dead. 😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
SuperCat
SuperCat - 4/2/2025, 10:40 AM
User Comment Image
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 4/2/2025, 10:55 AM
@SuperCat - LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!

User Comment Image

Bro, I literally just laugh out loud here at work over that one.
Skestra
Skestra - 4/2/2025, 11:18 AM
@SuperCat - You never disappoint. *LOL*
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/2/2025, 11:11 AM
James, I love dogs, but I am so [frick]ing tired of hearing about yours.
newhire13
newhire13 - 4/2/2025, 12:37 PM
@FrankenDad - Then don’t read articles about his dog. Problem solved.
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/2/2025, 12:38 PM
@newhire13 - You’re so smart. Thank you!
ToldYaSo
ToldYaSo - 4/2/2025, 2:21 PM
I think most comic book types will be divided on the pooch, but I think the regular movie audience are going to absolutely love it. I mentioned before that I think the script is going to make or break the way most people feel about this film, but I also think adding this extra wrinkle (that hasn't been explored on film) is going to separate this edition of Superman from the rest.
My gut feeling is that Superman will kick ass all over the place.
knomad
knomad - 4/2/2025, 4:23 PM
I had a dog that passed last year that would have made a Perfect Krypto. A rottweiler/ dalmatian mix, white with (few) spots. Big, strong, fast and a total goofball. Best dog I ever had.
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 4/3/2025, 7:38 AM
Heard Krypto stole the show at CinemaCon

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