Following the confirmation that James Gunn will direct the upcoming Superman reboot, Superman: Legacy, Warner Bros. Discovery has now released the first synopsis for the DCU project. While certain elements of Superman: Legacy remain a mystery, such as who will suit up as the latest Man of Steel, the synopsis does provide some insight into what Gunn and his fellow DC Studios chief Peter Safran have in store for the superhero icon. Check out the new plot synopsis for Superman: Legacy below.
“Superman Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”
Clearly, Superman: Legacy will lean heavily into the “old-fashioned” good nature of the DC character, something that many felt was missing from Zack Snyder’s iteration. The outline even makes reference to “truth, justice and the American way,” a phrase that has largely been abandoned by the character in recent years.
It’s also interesting to note that the synopsis avoids mentioning any villains or plot, but is instead focussed on the psychology of Superman, hinting once again that Superman: Legacy will be inspired by Grant Morrison’s celebrated comic book run, All-Star Superman.
James Gunn Will Direct Superman: Legacy for the DCU
Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad director James Gunn has now confirmed that he will helm Superman: Legacy for his and producer Peter Safran’s new-and-(hopefully)-improved DCU. Working from a script that he has written, Gunn took to social media yesterday to release statement alongside the confirmation that he will bring the rebooted Man of Steel to the big screen.
“Yes, I’m directing Superman: Legacy to be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt told me when he saw the release date he started to cry. I asked him why. He said, ‘Dude, it’s Dad’s birthday.’ I hadn’t realized,” Gunn said in a series of tweets. “I lost my Dad almost three years ago. He was my best friend. He didn’t understand me as a kid, but he supported my love of comics and my love of film and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him.”
Gunn continued, referring to the offer he was made by DC years ago to direct a different Superman project. “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.”
Adding that he was “hesitant to direct, despite the constant pestering by Peter Safran and others to commit (sorry, Peter),” Gunn declared that he slowly realized his affection for the script he has written. “But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I’m incredibly excited as we begin this journey. #UpUpandAway,” he concluded.
Superman: Legacy is scheduled for release on July, 11, 2025.
