It’s finally official: In addition to writing the script, DC Studios boss James Gunn will also direct Superman: Legacy for Warner Bros.
The studio will launch the new and (in theory) improved DCU on the big screen on July 11, 2025, which coincides with Gunn’s father’s birthday. If you’ll recall, Gunn got a little emotional when he recalled, as a kid, walking in on his father reading a Superman comic all on his own, and the fact that his father made an effort to support his interest in comics made all the difference to him as a young man, so the film’s release date is a happy coincidence.
Of course, this news shouldn’t come as a big surprise to those who have been reading Above the Line or watching/listening to The Hot Mic podcast, as we’ve been saying for months that Gunn was planning to direct Superman: Legacy himself. Why else would he take the top job at DC Studios alongside Peter Safran? Did you think he was going to take that job and then hand off Superman to someone else? Are you out of your mind? He has been writing the Legacy script since before he even accepted the DC job last November.
Gunn has directed the irreverent Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy for Marvel, as well as The Suicide Squad for DC, and he has found success elevating lesser-known comic book characters, though he’ll be working with one of the world’s best-known heroes in Superman. Safran will produce Legacy and obviously be around to mind the DC shop while Gunn is away shooting the movie.
Gunn will now focus on casting Superman, who will not be played by Henry Cavill. Though Gunn and Safran have hinted at making the character younger, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be played by a much younger actor. So those who think Gunn is eyeing actors in their mid-20s may want to expand their age range.
Superman: Legacy will tell 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.”
Safran recently produced the DC movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which will hit theaters on Friday and is not considered part of the future DCU, while Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 arrives in May. Also on the horizon at DC Studios are a Swamp Thing movie and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, as well as an Amanda Waller show starring Viola Davis and the animated series Creature Commandos. Matt Reeves‘ The Batman Part II is considered an Elseworld title, and that film is slated for Oct. 3, 2025 — three months after Superman: Legacy flies into theaters.
