As the new co-head of DC Studios, James Gunn is already hard at work overseeing the new direction of the DC Cinematic Universe beginning with the previously unveiled “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” Those plans include Superman: Legacy, a new film version of the Man of Steel set on July 11, 2025. Apparently taking inspiration from the seminal All-Star Superman storyline by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, the film will focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Initially, Gunn was solely writing the Superman: Legacy screenplay, but the filmmaker announced today on social media that he would be taking on directing responsibilities as well.
On social media, Gunn conceded he was reluctant to take on directing duties for the project despite goading from DC Studios co-head Peter Safran and others. However, it appears his brother Matt Gunn was able to convince the filmmaker, specifically as it related to their late father. In a touching post Gunn wrote:
Yes, I’m directing Superman: Legacy to be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt said, 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.
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.
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.
But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I’m incredibly excited as we begin this journey.
He elaborated on Twitter:
