James Gunn is directing Superman: Legacy, but he always needed to direct the DC Universe‘s first movie for a specific reason. Gunn is now the co-CEO of DC Studios with Peter Safran and working to reboot the franchise after several tumultuous years for Warner Bros. and the superhero brand. Superman: Legacy is confirmed to be the first DC Universe movie and the beginning of Gunn and Safran’s 10-year plan. The movie hits theaters in the summer of 2025 and has the pressure of restarting the universe and relaunching Superman with a new actor. This has understandably made it a top priority for the DC Studios co-CEOs
After originally only being announced as the film’s writer, it has been confirmed that James Gunn is directing Superman: Legacy too. The decision came even after the filmmaker turned down the opportunity to helm a new Superman movie years ago, as he noted he wanted to focus on smaller characters. Gunn’s choice to direct Superman: Legacy and reversing that decision only came after he discovered the right way he connects to the story, focusing on Clark Kent as an outsider and his relationship with his dads. While it still might come as a surprise that Gunn is doing Superman: Legacy, he always had to direct the first DC Universe movie.
The DC Universe Cannot Afford A Flop With Its First Movie
The reason why James Gunn needed to direct the DC Universe’s first movie no matter what is because the franchise cannot risk having its first movie flop. There is plenty of pressure that comes with rebooting a character as iconic as Superman, but there is a different kind of weight brought by it being the first film in a 10-year DC plan. Gunn and Safran are already developing several other TV shows and movies as they look to expand the franchise so the reboot can hit the ground running. However, all this planning could be for naught if the first DC Universe movie flopped critically or commercially.
Launching a cinematic universe is not easy, and Warner Bros. has already seen how much the plan can change if audience reactions are not up to par. The vision for the DC Extended Universe changed every few years thanks to new creators being put in charge, more movies failing, and so on. This led to the studio forcing changes to various movies in an attempt to react to the audience’s feedback, although it mostly only brought more problems. If the DC Universe’s first movie also failed to some degree, everything Gunn and Safran hope to accomplish with DC Studios would be put in jeopardy.
James Gunn Directing Superman: Legacy Puts The DC Universe In Safe Hands
The possibility of the DC Universe’s first movie failing has drastically decreased with James Gunn at the helm. He has a stellar track record for delivering well-received and financially successful projects, especially in the superhero realm. Each of his three Guardians of the Galaxy movies received strong reviews and had great box office runs. The Suicide Squad brought him near career-best reviews as it arrived during the pandemic, while Peacemaker season 1 was a surprise hit and incredibly revered.
James Gunn directing Superman: Legacy means that the movie is in safe hands. Instead of taking a chance on another director, Gunn will have full control of the first DC Universe movie and bring his expertise to all areas of the film. Considering he has even found a personal way to connect to Superman’s story now that aligns with a classic interpretation of the character, James Gunn can help make sure the DC Universe‘s first movie does not fail.
Key Release Dates
