James Gunn Announces Superman: Legacy Production Start

Superman: Legacy will mark the first phase of DC Studios’ renewed cinematic universe, titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. James Gunn, who serves as writer and director on the project, previously stated that the film will not be a Superman origin story. Instead, the movie is set in a world where superheroes already exist and will steer clear of the Kryptonian’s childhood in Kansas.

Superman: Legacy will focus on Clark Kent’s early days as Superman, who is the embodiment of virtues such as kindness, truth, and justice. David Corenswet had already talked about wanting to play the DC hero long before his official casting. In response to online fan discussions in 2019, Corenswet expressed his willingness to take on the role, adding that it would be his honor.

However, Corenswet said he would like to play a more vibrant version of the character compared to Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel. “It came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me,” the actor said. “But my pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman. I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.

Before Superman: Legacy, fans were optimistic about Henry Cavill reprising his role as the Last Son of Krypton after the actor appeared in the post-credits scene of Black Adam. However, DC and Warner Bros. later opted to go in a different direction by introducing a younger Superman to the cinematic stage, resulting in Cavill’s abrupt departure.

James Gunn has sought to allay concerns among fans regarding the potential sidelining of the titular hero in Superman: Legacy. Responding to questions on social media about the ensemble cast, Gunn drew a comparison with Steve Carell’s film 40-Year-Old Virgin to emphasize that the number of characters wouldn’t detract from Superman’s prominence.

This isn’t the first time Gunn addressed concerns about the number of superheroes in Superman: Legacy. In a Threads exchange, he assured fans that while Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, and Metamorpho play an essential role in the story, Kal-El and Lois Lane remain the central focus. “The characters are there because they help to tell Superman’s story better,” he said.

Warner Bros. will be hoping to have a hit on their hands with Superman: Legacy. The studio’s DC films have faced challenges on the silver screen in recent years. While Aquaman surprised everyone with an impressive $1.1 billion at the global box office in 2018, subsequent films like Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash fell short, earning $133.8 million and $270.6 million, respectively.

With the resolution of the actors’ strike, other high-priority films like Superman: Legacy are providing updates on their new filming and release schedules. However, production setbacks have led to the postponement of movies such as Venom 3. Luckily, the eagerly awaited Gladiator 2 project, featuring Pedro Pascal, is a top priority for filmmaker Ridley Scott, who plans to work around Pascal’s hectic schedule.