One thing that James Gunn loves to do is share updates and ideas for his projects on social media, especially on his upcoming film Superman: Legacy. The director has frequently discussed his plans for the latest iteration of Superman, including the materials that inspired him to write the script.
Since Gunn has become the new head of the DC Studios, along with Peter Safran, there has been an entire overhaul of the franchise, including its flagship characters. With Henry Cavill finally hanging up the suit for good, a new actor will bring the hero to life in Gunn’s Superman: Legacy.
James Gunn May Have Hinted His Plan For Superman’s Final Battle
In a post from Twitter/X, director James Gunn shared his recently acquired copies of Superman For All Seasons which served as the inspiration for the upcoming Superman: Legacy. He wrote:
“Just received this stunningly gorgeous Absolute edition of Superman for All Seasons, one of my favorite Superman stories & a huge influence on Legacy (& a strangely perfect bookend with All-Star Superman). The late, great Tim Sales artwork & Bjarne Hansen’s watercolor work have never looked better – nor have Clark & Ma & Pa. Jeph Loeb’s elegant, confident story still sings.”
Gunn mentioned All-Star Superman, a heartbreaking comic book issue about Superman’s dying wish. Because he was already overexposed to the sun, he attempts to achieve heroic feats and make peace with the world before his imminent death.
While the filmmaker did not explicitly mention that this is how he wants Superman’s journey to end, fans could take this as a hint because the possibility of Gunn drawing inspiration from this is endless.
Superman: Legacy will tell the narrative of Superman’s journey in reconciling his Kryptonian heritage with his mortal upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. The official cast includes David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, and Anthony Carrigan.
What Can Fans Expect From Superman: Legacy?
In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James Gunn assured fans that Superman: Legacy won’t be a comedy movie as he did with Guardians of the Galaxy:
“It’s easier to take a character nobody knows, like the Guardians [of the Galaxy], or Peacemaker, and then do whatever you want with them. People in every single country in the world know the story of Superman.”
Gunn also told Variety that his project will respect and honor the legacy of Superman while bringing a fresh concept about the character that generations loved through all seasons:
“I don’t think [Superman: Legacy] would be worth making if it was just a redo of any other Superman adaptation. For us to truly thrive as a studio, we need to honor the past of these characters while simultaneously seeing them in a new light.”
Now that the strike has come to an end and productions have resumed, Gunn can finally work his magic on rebuilding a new era of DC heroes and villains. Superman: Legacy will fly in theaters on July 11, 2025.
