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James Gunn to direct “Superman: Legacy”.
The revered filmmaker, who serves as chairman and CEO of DC Studios with partner Peter Safran, revealed Wednesday that he will helm a previously announced reboot of the Superman franchise. Gunn also wrote the screenplay, and Safran will produce.
“Superman: Legacy” also released its first plot synopsis, saying the film “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.”
Gunn shared the news on Twitter along with an emotional anecdote about his relationship with the project.
“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 movies, and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him,” Gunn wrote. “It’s been a long road to get here. I was offered Superman years ago — I said no at first because I didn’t have a way that felt unique and fun and emotional that gave Superman the dignity he deserved.”
The director went on to say that “a little less than a year ago, I saw a way in, in many ways centered around Superman’s heritage — how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices , he meets.”
“Superman: Legacy” is the first in a planned universe of cross-platform storytelling (presumably one that will mix with streaming projects for HBO Max) in a Phase 1 the studio calls “Gods and Monsters.” The cast has yet to be announced, but the film is slated for a global theatrical release of July 11, 2025.
Gunn and Safran provided the necessary shot in the arm of the DC Universe last fall when they took control of the comics unit, a prized intellectual property stable under Warner Bros. Discovery. In January, they presented their new vision to the media and promised to put quality before quantity.
“People have become dependent on (release) dates to get movies made no matter what. I’m a writer at heart, and we’re not going to make movies until the script is done,” Gunn said at the time.