James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy to centre on the superhero’s heritage

James Gunn, best known as the man behind Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, is currently serving as the chairman and CEO of DC Studios along with Peter Safran, where he’d then announced a slew of changes, including one that Henry Cavill would not be returning as Superman in future films. Instead, he’d proposed a reboot of the franchise, which, as it turns out, he will helm. Taking to social media to announce the same, the filmmaker tweeted, “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.”

He added, “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. 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. 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. So, I chose to finally take on writing the script. But I was hesitant to direct, despite the constant pestering by Peter Safran and others to commit. 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. #UpUpandAway.”

The cast of Superman: Legacy is yet to be announced.