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James Gunn is set to direct ‘Superman: Legacy’.
The irreverent filmmaker, who serves as president and CEO of DC Studios with partner Peter Safran, revealed on Wednesday that he will be directing a previously announced reboot of the Superman franchise. Gunn also wrote the screenplay, and Safran will produce it.
“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. embodying truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that views kindness as old-fashioned.
Gunn shared the news on Twitter, along with a touching anecdote about his relationship with the project.
“I lost my father 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 make this movie now without him,” Gunn writing. “It’s been a long road so far. I was offered Superman years ago – I initially said no because I didn’t have a unique, fun, emotional way to be that gave Superman the dignity he deserved.
The director went on to say that “just under a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centered around Superman’s legacy – how his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmers inform who he is and the choices he makes. ”
“Superman: Legacy” is the first in a planned universe of cross-platform storytelling (presumably one that will interweave with streaming projects for HBO Max) in a Phase 1 that the studio is calling “Gods and Monsters.” Casting has yet to be announced, but the film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on July 11, 2025.
Gunn and Safran gave the DC Universe the much-needed boost last fall when they took over the comic book unit, a prized intellectual property stable under Warner Bros. Discovery. In January, they presented their new vision to the media and pledged to put quality before quantity.
“People have become indebted [release] dates, to make films 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.