To celebrate Superman Anniversary Day, which commemorates the debut of the Man of Steel in Action Comics way, way back on April 18, 1938, filmmaker and DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has taken to social media to reveal that the upcoming reboot, Superman: Legacy, has now entered early production. Sharing an image of the script, which Gunn has written himself, the director also revealed that “Costumes, production design, and more now up and running.”
While it may be a while before we see any of these costumes or get any casting news, a recent synopsis for Superman: Legacy has revealed some insight into how Gunn and his fellow DC Studios boss Peter Safran will approach the comic book icon.
“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.”
To the disappointment of many, Man of Steel and Justice League star Henry Cavill will not be returning for Superman: Legacy, with Gunn instead focusing on a much younger version of the DC superhero. While there had once been news of a Man of Steel 2, Superman will instead be rebooted and kick-start the first chapter of the recalibrated DCU.
James Gunn Will Write & Direct Superman: Legacy
After much speculation, James Gunn confirmed last month that he will indeed write and direct Superman: Legacy. “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,” the director said at the time.
He continued, revealing that he had been offered the chance to helm a Superman project years ago. But while he could not find “a way in” back then, he has found it now and cannot wait to bring it to life. “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,” Gunn said. “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.”
Superman: Legacy will be followed up with the superhero team-up flick The Authority, a Batman project titled The Brave and the Bold, a Supergirl outing titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a Swamp Thing reboot, a Wonder Woman prequel series titled Paradise Lost, the animated series Creature Commandos, and more.
Superman: Legacy is scheduled for release on July, 11, 2025.
