DC Studios’ recently appointed co-chairman and co-CEO James Gunn has revealed that he will be officially directing the next Superman movie titled ‘Superman: Legacy’. The movie is set for a theatrical release on 11th July 2025. The eagerly anticipated movie will serve as the first film of the new DC Universe created by James Gunn and Peter Safran under the ambit of its first chapter ‘Gods and Monsters’.
Interestingly, James Gunn had already begun writing the script of ‘Superman: Legacy’ before his appointment as the DC Studios top brass. It is also known that Henry Cavill won’t be reprising his role as the Man of Steel because the new Superman film would focus on a younger version of Superman and the superhero’s early years (not an origin story though). Which actor will essay the role of Superman is currently not known.
‘Superman: Legacy’ would revolve around Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage and how he was brought up by humans as his alter-ego Clark Kent in Smallville, Kansas. The character is being described as an epitome of truth, justice, and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned. In the film, Superman will be portrayed as a reporter in disguise, and he is expected to interact with important characters like his love interest Lois Lane.
James Gunn has recently directed two DC projects: Idris Elba starrer ‘The Suicide Squad’ movie followed by the ‘Peacemaker’ series starring John Cena as the titular anti-hero. Both these ventures were widely admired by audiences and critics alike and the common thing about them was that they focused on relatively unknown DC characters. But the way James Gunn handled them and made them globally popular was commendable.
But with a project featuring arguably the most popular DC superhero Superman, it’s a different ballgame. And for that reason, it would be interesting to see how James Gunn handles a highly popular superhero character in a way which is different from earlier Superman renditions helmed by Richard Donner, Bryan Singer, and most recently Zack Snyder. James Gunn’s next directorial film will be Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, which is set to release in May 2023.