James Gunn to Direct Superman: Legacy, Set for Release in 2025

by Annika March 17, 2023

James Gunn has been confirmed as the director of the upcoming superhero movie “Superman: Legacy.” The film, set to release on July 11, 2025, will be the first major motion picture of the Gunn-Safran era.

Gunn, who had been writing the feature even before becoming co-head of DC Studios in November, had initially turned down the project. However, he ultimately found a unique and emotional way to center the story around Superman’s heritage, which informs who he is and his choices.

“Superman: Legacy” will focus on the superhero balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. The film is part of what Gunn and his partner Peter Safran have dubbed Chapter 1: God and Monsters, an overarching story told via different TV shows and movies.

Notably, Henry Cavill, who played Superman in previous movies, including “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Justice League,” will not be reprising his role. Gunn and Safran have opted to go in a younger direction for the hero.

This marks Gunn’s first time directing an A-list superhero. He previously made a name for himself by taking relatively unknown characters, such as Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and turning them into household names. He also elevated D-list DC characters, such as Polka-Dot Man and King Shark, to big-screen status in “The Suicide Squad,” which received strong reviews.

Gunn has described “Superman: Legacy” as a personal project, as he counts Richard Donner’s “Superman” as a seminal theatrical experience. The film’s release date is also significant, as it falls on Gunn’s father’s birthday. Gunn’s father died two weeks before he began production on “The Suicide Squad.”

Overall, “Superman: Legacy” promises to be an exciting addition to the DC universe, showcasing the unique vision and emotional depth that James Gunn brings to his projects.