Director and now DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has been discussing the challenges inherent in rebooting a franchise as big as Superman with Superman: Legacy. Speaking with THR, Gunn promises that, despite a lot of the movies in his back catalog, he will not be making the Man of Steel reboot a comedy, with the filmmaker determined to tell a genuine, sincere superhero story. A story that he can really relate to.
“I completely relate to Superman because he’s everything I am. He’s somebody who is an outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate insider, because he’s f—ing Superman. And that’s kind of like what I feel like.”
Gunn has spent a lot of time playing in the superhero sandbox, beginning with his warped vigilante flick, Super, back in 2010. Since then, Gunn has seen himself launched onto the A-list thanks to helming the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise for Marvel and The Suicide Squad for DC. But, despite all this experience, bringing Superman back to the big screen in Superman: Legacy is very different.
“It’s easier to take a character nobody knows, like the Guardians, or Peacemaker, and then do whatever you want with them. People in every single country in the world know the story of Superman.”
Gunn has been in line for directing a Superman movie before back in 2018. But while the filmmaker could not find a way into the story back then, he’s found one now. And he intends to do something different while honoring what’s come before.
“How can I make it different from the Superman movies that have been made so far, but also have it respect all the Superman movies that have been made so far? So it just took me some time to try to figure it out.”
The New DCU Will Begin With Superman: Legacy in 2025
Based on the title, the way that James Gunn plans to retell Superman’s story is to focus on legacy. Both his Kryptonian legacy and his human one. Along with the title, the official synopsis has hinted at this also.
“Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas,” the official synopsis reads. “He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”
For now, these are all the details we have regarding Superman: Legacy, with fans of the character patiently awaiting a casting announcement. An announcement that is under a lot of pressure to deliver considering there are still many fans who want Man of Steel star Henry Cavill to return.
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman: Legacy is scheduled for release on July 11, 2025. The Superman reboot will be the beginning of the new DCU, with projects such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a Swamp Thing reboot, and a Wonder Woman prequel series titled Paradise Lost to follow.
