Having said in December that he will write the new Superman movie himself, James Gunn has confirmed that, yes, he will direct the new Superman movie himself as well. How a person has time to (co-)run a whole studio and direct flagship property films is beyond the understanding of mere mortals, but clearly Gunn has a plan, and that plan includes Superman: Legacy, which sounds like a wrap-up film but is instead yet another reboot of the classic franchise.
According to Variety, the new super-film “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.”
On Twitter, Gunn wrote about having found a way to tell a “unique and fun and emotional” Superman story:
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.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 15, 2023
Gunn has said this is not an origin story, but that it is set earlier in the character’s life than the most recent Superman films—meaning Henry Cavill (above, in Justice League) is out, and a new Clark Kent will have to be found.
Gunn and his fellow co-head of DC Studios, Peter Safran, announced their plans for the studio in January. Superman: Legacy is one of the projects with a firm release date (and writer/director). This will begin a new storytelling phase for DC Studios, which they’re calling “Gods and Monsters.”
Superman: Legacy is set to fly into theaters on July 11, 2025.
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