Superman‘s latest story reveal has suggested some worrying things about the DCU’s Krypto story following the tease that he may be kidnapped by Lex Luthor in the film. The DC Universe timeline is only just starting up, but it’s already been able to set up a wide array of exciting upcoming characters, including Superman’s loyal superpowered pooch, Krypto.

Indeed, much of the marketing around the upcoming Superman movie has focused on Krypto in some way or another. While this is no doubt because of his appeal as an endearing mascot of sorts for the film, this decision looks different after the latest reveal about the movie’s story, especially given how it ties to other superhero releases.

Superman’s Newest Movie Clip Teases Lex Luthor Kidnapping Krypto

The newest clip of Superman – revealed before David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult’s interview with Diego Luna on Jimmy Kimmel Live – shows DC’s Man of Steel confronting Lex Luthor in the DCU movie. While the clip is interesting in terms of teasing the dynamic between the two, it also focuses on another major plot point.

Within the clip, Superman bursts into Luthor’s office in order to question him about where Krypto is, with his tone and wording suggesting he believes Lex took the dog. Luthor responds that he has no idea what the hero is on about, but his slightly smug demeanor and description of Krypto suggest he very much does know more than he’s letting on.

Ultimately, this seems to directly tease Luthor taking Krypto at some point in the movie’s story – which would make sense given we see Krypto facing off against Lex and The Engineer in the Fortress of Solitude. However, even if that’s not the case, it still seems as though the villain knows more about where Clark’s missing dog is.

Given so many of the trailers and teasers for the DCU movie have leaned into Krypto’s debut in the film – and his connection with Superman himself – having the poor pup in peril would add some further tension and emotional stakes for fans. That said, it certainly seems like it’d take his story in a darker direction.

Krypto Going Missing In The Middle Of Superman Doesn’t Bode Well For The Character

Currently, it seems likely that this scene either comes towards the very start of Superman – since Luthor suggests he and Superman haven’t met beforehand – or after the sequence wherein The Engineer and Lex Luthor invade the Fortress Of Solitude. While the latter seems like it could make more sense, the possibility is still very much open for alternate timings.

Whatever the case, Krypto disappearing on a level where not even Superman can find him certainly doesn’t bode well. We’ve already seen other heroes like Metamorpho being held in seeming confinement, and it appears likely something similar could have happened to Krypto, who might not even understand what’s going on.

The DCU’s Lex Luthor seems entirely petty enough to kidnap Krypto, especially since this would allow him to remove one of Superman’s allies while having plausible deniability about what’s happened. Luthor being able to kidnap Krypto would suggest he’s also able to defeat or neutralize him in some way, which has ominous implications for his rivalry with Superman, too.

If Luthor hasn’t taken Krypto, the fact Superman can’t find or summon him actually may be even more worrying. It’s clear there are many other active DC villains in Superman‘s story, and it’s not impossible to think that someone else may have done something to the superpowered dog that has rendered him missing instead.

James Gunn’s History With Superhero Animals Raises The Potential For Krypto’s Story To Have Some Tragic Moments

Krypto going missing in the story of Superman builds an extra level of dread in me because of Gunn’s history with introducing endearing animal characters in superhero movies, and then putting them through some serious trials. This is something that’s happened in both the MCU and the DCU, including the most recent DC Universe release.

Naturally, the most famous example of this is that of Rocket’s MCU origin story, which is shown in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Seeing a young Rocket be essentially tortured and then have the only folks he cares about be killed in front of his eyes is genuinely heartwrenching, and adds new dimensions to the often more comedy-centered character.

The DCU’s Creature Commandos mirrors this with Weasel, who serves as comic relief right up until we learn he tried to save a group of children from dying in a fire, but was held responsible for their deaths because of his appearance. Much in the same vein, seeing Weasel grieve their deaths hits way harder than might otherwise be expected.

Given this track record – and that even Starro gets a sympathetic tilt in The Suicide Squad – it seems there’s a real chance Krypto’s story could take some more tragic turns than we may be expecting. This is especially likely given this could be done in a way that helps tie Superman and the DC Universe’s next movie closer together.

Having Krypto Disappear In Superman Could Help Set Up The DC Universe’s Supergirl Movie

It’s worth noting that Krypto also plays a key role in the Superman: Woman Of Tomorrow comic that directly inspired the DCU Supergirl movie. As such, it’s possible that Krypto’s disappearance at some point in the DCU’s Superman movie story could be used to tie the stories of the two films together.

There had already been speculation the movies’ stories would be joined together by a cameo from Supergirl, and, with this in mind, it would make sense if Krypto disappeared in the film, and was then found with Supergirl. This could be revealed in the plot of Superman itself seemingly easily, too, without detracting from its main story too much.

That said, Krypto potentially having a role in the Supergirl movie would raise some concerns, since a core element of the Woman of Tomorrow story is Krypto being poisoned and Supergirl trying to save him. As such, it seems like even if Krypto is adventuring off in the stars rather than being kidnapped in Superman, he’s still got a bit of a rough journey ahead of him.