When James Gunn laid out the first chapter of the new DC Universe slate earlier this year, he announced that he would be writing Superman: Legacy. Rumours soon spread that Gunn could direct the film as well, and Tom King may have confirmed it. During an interview with Comic Pop Returns, the DC Studios writer stated that Gunn “is the writer and director of the Superman movie.“
Nothing has been officially announced in regards to James Gunn directing Superman: Legacy, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if Gunn took the helm of the first new DC Universe movie. Gunn is typically quick to call out fake news on Twitter, but he hasn’t addressed this yet.
As Superman: Legacy will be focusing on a younger version of the character, that unfortunately means that Henry Cavill won’t be back. The actor finally returned as Superman for a cameo in Black Adam, and it seemed that he would be making further appearances in the franchise. With the new DCU going in a different direction, Cavill’s return was short-lived. It’s also possible that Warner Bros. never had any intention of bringing Henry Cavill back, as James Gunn revealed last month that he had actually been hired to write Superman: Legacy last summer, months before Cavill returned in Black Adam.
DC Studios co-chairperson and CEO Peter Safran has said that Superman: Legacy won’t be an origin story, but will focus on “Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.” Gunn added, “With our stories, we want to take it away from good guy vs. bad guy. There are really good—almost saintly—people and Superman is among them. There are really terrible villains like Gorilla Grodd or the Joker. And then there’s everybody in between them, so there are all these shades of gray which allow us to tell complex stories.” Superman: Legacy is set for a July 11, 2025 release.
Would you like to see James Gunn direct Superman: Legacy, or should someone else take the helm?