(Left) Writer, director, co-chairmen and co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn. Photo courtesy of James Gunn’s Twitter account. (Right) Superman. Photo courtesy of DC Comics.com.
While making his big reveal of the various projects he and fellow new DC Studios CEO Peter Safran are planning for the company, James Gunn announced that he was at work on a new movie featuring Superman.
Titled ‘Superman: Legacy’, Gunn dropped word that he was writing the script for the new movie but didn’t confirm then whether he was directing it.
He’s now made it clear that he is indeed going to be overseeing it.
Superman learns to balance his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Read the Plot
Why is James Gunn directing ‘Superman: Legacy?’
Taking to Twitter, Gunn offered an insight into the thought process that went into his decision to direct.
Here’s part of what he said:·
“It has been a long road to this point. I was offered Superman years ago –– I initially said no because I didn’t have a way in that felt unique and fun and emotional that gave Superman the dignity he deserved. Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centering around Superman’s heritage; how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes. So I chose to finally take on writing the script. But I was hesitant to direct, despite the constant pestering by Peter Safran and others to commit (sorry, Peter). Just because I write something doesn’t mean I feel it in my bones, visually and emotionally, enough to spend over two years directing it, especially not something of this magnitude.”
You can read his full twitter thread, including the movie’s emotional connection to his father, here:
What’s the story of ‘Superman: Legacy’?
Here’s what Gunn had to say about ‘Legacy’ when first announced:
“With our stories, we want to take it away from good guy vs. bad guy. There are really good — almost saintly — people and Superman is among them. There are really terrible villains like Gorilla Grodd or the Joker. And then there’s everybody in between them, so there are all these shades of gray which allow us to tell complex stories.”
Though the exact plot is still a mystery, Gunn has previously said that ‘Legacy’ will feature a younger Superman (but will also skip the origin story this time).
Henry Cavill as Superman.
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Is Henry Cavill coming back to star?
Henry Cavill fans were disappointed to learn that, after having the chance to announce his return to the Superman suit on social media, the actor was unceremoniously let go.
But short answer: no, Cavill is no longer part of the plan for DC under Gunn and Safran (though who knows whether they’ll find a place for him going forward).
The search is no doubt already on for someone to play the part, one that we’re sure will be highly sought after by young rising stars and heretofore unknowns. It could be a star-making role for whoever plays Clark Kent/Kal-El.
‘Superman: Legacy’ is currently scheduled to fly into theaters on July 11th, 2025.
(L to R) Director James Gunn and actress Jennifer Holland at the World Premiere of ‘Thor: Ragnarok.’