We’ve known for a while that James Gunn has written the screenplay for a new Superman movie but now he’s announced that he’ll be taking on directorial duties too.
The new head honcho of DC Studios took to Twitter to confirm that he will be directing Superman: Legacy, which will be released on 11th July 2025, with a very personal reason being behind his decision.
Gunn wrote: “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 realised.
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“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.
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“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.”
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Alongside this news, Warner Bros. Pictures revealed the first plot synopsis, which read: “Superman: Legacy tells 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.”
As previously reported, Henry Cavill won’t be portraying Superman in this film, with a younger actor taking on the part – however, Gunn has stressed that a casting director is yet to be hired, so it may be a while before we find our next son of Krypton.
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Superman: Legacy is the first film expected to be released as part of Gunn’s planned relaunch of the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU), with the slate being revealed two months ago.
The first chapter, which is titled Chapter 1: God And Monsters, also includes a Batman film not starring Robert Pattinson, a Green Lantern TV show, and a Wonder Woman prequel series.
Superman: Legacy will be released in cinemas on 11th July 2025.
