The 'Suicide Squad' helmer has been writing the film, which will be the first big-screen feature in the Gunn-Safran era, since before he became the co-head of DC Studios in November 2022.
- Mar 16, 2023
AceShowbiz - James Gunn is taking matters into his own hands with the launch of the new Superman franchise. The "Guardians of the Galaxy" helmer has officially taken on the directing duty for "Superman: Legacy" from his own script.
The major linchpin project will kick off the multiplatform connected DC universe, "Chapter One, Gods and Monsters", which he and his DC Co-Chairman and CEO Peter Safran are shepherding. He has been writing the script since before he became the co-head of DC Studios in November 2022, but only recently agreed to direct it after being pestered by Safran.
Warner Bros. has already assigned a July 11, 2025 release date for the movie. "It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned," Safran told reporters about the plot in January.
On Wednesday, March 15, Gunn took to his social media pages to explain why the project is personal to him. "Yes, I'm directing Superman: Legacy to be released on July 11, 2025," he confirmed the news. "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."
The "Suicide Squad" director admitted he was initially reluctant to direct the feature. "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," he shared.
"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," he continued in the lengthy caption of his Instagram post. "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 (sorry, Peter)."
"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," he divulged, before concluding, "But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I'm incredibly excited as we begin this journey. #UpUpandAway."
A search is still underway for an actor to play Superman as it has been confirmed that Henry Cavill will not be returning for the new movie because it deals with the character's early days. The British actor portrayed the superhero in "Man of Steel" (2013), "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016) and "Justice League" (2017). He also made a cameo in "Black Adam" (2022) with an intent for him to return in new films, but the plans were scrapped after Gunn and Safran took over DC.
