As the hype continues to build for the premiere of James Gunn‘s first new-era DCU film Superman: Legacy, the biggest question still stands at the forefront: who is worthy to pick up the cape next as Superman, and as Lois Lane? Since the departure of both Henry Cavill and Amy Adams as both characters respectively, there have been very big shoes to fill, and James Gunn has been hard at work with what is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult selection process. However, per a report from CBR and a tweet from Gunn himself, apparently that process has been progressing very well, the director having nothing but the highest praise for every audition and utter excitement for who will ultimately land the role.
Superman: Legacy is set to be the blockbuster superhero film that launches “Chapter One” of James Gunn’s revamped DCU Universe titled “Gods and Monsters”. Proclaimed as his personal passion project, Gunn is both directing and writing the film. Both the premise and exact comic source material are still under wraps, particularly since Gunn admitted that he was only about halfway through writing the script when he officially announced the project and its planned release date. About the only thing we know so far still is that this Superman film will not be an origin story, so Kal-El will already be well-involved in his noble duty of protecting Earth. There are still plenty of other questions about what to expect, from the film’s thematic elements, to Superman’s new costume look (which Gunn has teased but not really answered yet), to casting.
The array of Superman films that have come to the big screen over the decades have had distinctly different approaches. The earliest ones embraced the comic’s valiant motto of “truth, justice, and the American way” (Superman was actually created by Canadian artists, amusingly), imbuing hope in audiences everywhere like any other fictional character seldom has. Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (2006) also carried that similar vibe, adding a touch more comedy with Brandon Routh taking on the lead role quite well, despite the film’s lackluster box office performance. In more recent years, when Zack Snyder took over much of the DCU, he took Superman in nearly the opposite direction. As he’s often known for, he opted for a far grittier, more introspective and dystopian approach with actor Henry Cavill in Man of Steel (2013) and both follow-up films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). The audience response was mixed, praising Cavill’s performance but lamenting Snyder’s more violent approach with the superhero that only went further down the rabbit hole in the latter two films. Man of Steel 2 was inevitably axed, and Cavill’s departure from the role left Superman’s future in limbo, until James Gunn stepped in to be the theoretical superhero that (hopefully) saves the DCU.
James Gunn Lavishes Praise on Auditions, and Hints of Top Picks
The casting of Superman in the upcoming film is by far one of the biggest weights on Gunn’s shoulders right now, but despite that pressure he still seems to be taking on the process with plenty of gusto. Reports have sprung that he conducted screen tests this past weekend at the Warner Bros lot with what are possibly some of the top contenders for the roles of both Kal-El/Clark Kent and Lois Lane (turns out that our top picks weren’t too far off). Gunn all but confirmed this via a new tweet, and had nothing but positive vibes to give about those who auditioned.
‘‘Amazing amazing weekend of auditions for ‘Superman: Legacy’. I’m blown away by some of these actors, among the best I’ve ever seen or worked with.’’
Meanwhile, CBR has reported (in tandem with our own reporting) that some of those auditions, complete with full wardrobe and makeup, most likely included Gunn favorites Nicholas Hoult, David Corenswet, and Tom Brittney for the role of Superman. As for Lois Lane, Kal-El’s confidant and love interest, Emma Mackey, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rachel Brosnahan were supposedly among the contenders. Brosnahan herself recently proclaimed that joining the project would be “extraordinary”, and that it would be a career-defining opportunity for her. Gunn has also teased his praise of Michael Rosenbaum’s performance as Lex Luthor on Smallville as the best portrayal yet.
Superman: Legacy is currently set to premiere in theaters everywhere on July 11, 2025.
