It’s been officially revealed that James Gunn will be directing the upcoming Superman: Legacy movie for DC Studios. This comes after DC Comics writer Tom King inadvertently let slip that James Gunn is directing the film. In the closely followed development of the new DC slate initiated with Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, one of the titles was the Superman movie that will officially kick off the new DCU.
The DC Studios designed Superman: Legacy as the definitive movie for the new slate. This is also mainly why Gunn has stated explicitly that the DCU Superman will be a new actor, someone who is also younger. Fans expect the new movie will reboot Superman for the DC Universe.
Superman: Legacy will be the new tentpole for the studio to usher in its new era of characters and stories. Ever since their first day at the DC Studios, Gunn and Safran have been creating their DC Bible, and repeatedly, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad director has been saying he was deep in developing and writing for his new Superman.
Writing the script was one thing. However, Gunn never categorically said that he would also be directing.
Tom King May Have Spilled Info On James Gunn Directing Superman: Legacy
READ MORE: James Gunn’s Superman Legacy Will Start The New DCU
It has since been officially revealed by The Hollywood Reporter, among other trades, that Gunn will be directing the upcoming Superman movie. He wrote the movie’s script and had been rather coy about revealing whether he would be directing it or not.
This all comes after Tom King let slip that DC Studios’ co-CEO, James Gunn was going to be directing the upcoming Superman flick. This was an interview with Comic Pop (via Forbes). He mentioned that the new co-CEO of DC Studios would be writing and directing the movie. Immediately, fans reacted to the piece of information that King simply mentioned in passing. And according to the article, the said interview is already pulled out and is now offline.
This further strengthened the notion that Gunn directing the upcoming movie was not supposed to be made public as of yet. The article was also extensive in its supposition that it may have been just a misunderstanding and a misinterpretation on the part of King.
This suggests that there may be some instances when the author was in the writers’ room with Gunn developing the story, and people just assumed Gunn would be directing, but nothing official was ever made. And that King only said what he said out of the ‘assumed’ impression.
The Superman: Legacy will have the comic book series All-Star Superman from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely as its story inspiration. Gunn even confirms this in a tweet last February.
The reimagining of Superman for the new DCU has it leaning toward a lighter yet more dramatic tone. In the comics, Superman got exposed to high levels of Solar radiation, and he had limited time left. He uses this time to save and help as much as he can, as well as reveal his truth to Lois Lane.
Tom King Slips In Revealing James Gunn Will Direct Superman: Legacy
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
READ MORE: James Gunn Has Almost Finished Superman Legacy’s Script
There have been many versions of Superman’s death in the comics, and on the big screen, audiences from around the world have also watched Henry Cavill’s version of Superman die. However, this new 2025 movie intends to open doors to a new lineup of stories and characters. In many ways, personally, I believe it isn’t a reimagining of Superman’s death but his rebirth.
Some fans have apprehensions about whether Gunn would be able to deliver the movie given his tendency to use more comedic angles in his stories. Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad have comedy as one of their main strengths. There are people who think this may be expected for Superman: Legacy if Gunn indeed was directing it. And because of that, fans have their doubts.
Nevertheless, Gunn has also proven himself in coming up with darker-toned films as well as dramatic moments in the movies. He can bring these into Kal-El’s new story as well.
On Wednesday, Gunn explained that he hesitated to take on a Superman movie, even though he was offered the character before ultimately taking on The Suicide Squad for Warners. Here’s what Gunn had to say on the matter via Twitter:
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. Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centring around Superman’s heritage – how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.
Even after deciding to write, he was hesitant to direct. Here’s what the filmmaker had to say about the upcoming Superman movie:
Just because I write something doesn’t mean I feel it in my bones, visually and emotionally, enough to spend over two years directing it, especially not something of this magnitude. But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I’m incredibly excited as we begin this journey.
Moreover, Gunn also revealed that the movie’s release date is pretty important to him. Here’s his explanation as to why Superman: Legacy’s July 11th, 2025 release date means to much to him and his family:
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.
Their father died two weeks before James Gunn started production on The Suicide Squad. Gunn continued:
I lost my dad almost three years ago. He was my best friend. He didn’t understand me as a kid, but he supported my love of comics and my love of film and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him.
Superman: Legacy will be released in cinemas on July 11th, 2025.
What do you think about Tom King inadvertently sharing that James Gunn is writing and directing the new Superman movie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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