James Gunn is currently in the early stages of developing his vision for Superman: Legacy, a film that he envisions as a heartfelt tribute to the rich mythology of Superman. Gunn aims to delve into the profound concept of heroism and explore the essence of what it truly means to embody such a role.
While specific details about the project are still emerging, Gunn’s intention to craft a film that follows the beloved Superman character and his enduring legacy is clear. Fans eagerly anticipate this exploration of the Man of Steel’s journey and the themes that define him as an iconic superhero. However, the director has seemingly confirmed that the new film will not feature the character’s origin story.
Superman: Legacy Won’t Showcase The Origin Story
The storyline of Superman: Legacy remains shrouded in secrecy, but James Gunn has provided some insights. Responding to a comment on his Instagram page, Gunn revealed that the film would not focus on Clark Kent’s formative years in Smallville. This suggests that the film will deviate from the traditional narrative of Superman’s origins, foregoing his birth on Krypton and subsequent arrival in Kansas. The decision has not been taken well by comic book fans.
Remember when they did this with Spider-Man, and because of that the character spun off the rails so much they had to pretend like it was a three movie origin story all along to put him back on track https://t.co/RO7lJODnSX
— Bored (@_BoredMF_) July 5, 2023
This is completely wrong because the MCU Spider-Man trilogy failed because it ignored what made the character himself. Look at The Batman and Spider-Man PS4 for stories that skipped the origin story but stayed true to the spirit of the characters and were great. https://t.co/R6LQzcHlAy pic.twitter.com/lumOPp5ods
— VAULT XIV (@VaultXIV) July 6, 2023
It’s ok for Superman though because we are getting the origin story of how he gets his job at the daily planet
Everyone knows Clark Kent is more interesting than Superman anyway 🧐 😅 https://t.co/TTIPRQTUsd
— Snyder Cut Fan (@snydercutfan) July 6, 2023
That is absolutely not why those movies spun off the rails but it is absolutely hilarious the lengths MCU Spider-Man went through to pretend that Ben Parker is a person who never existed https://t.co/9z5TtSDDu2
— The Good Chrishaun Is In The Lodge (@komradekhris) July 7, 2023
So accurate.
I have a feeling something similar is happening with The Batman…#SupermanLegacy https://t.co/cMOc9UYAtg— Viktoria Grunbelt (@grunbelt) July 6, 2023
Fans have even compared it Spider-Man, which deviated from the traditional origin story approach. The character’s storyline took various paths, leading to a point where the decision was made to reestablish a cohesive narrative.
James Gunn’s decision to forego Superman’s origin story in Superman: Legacy aligns with the notion that this iconic superhero’s backstory is widely known. Similar to past adaptations like 1978’s Superman with Christopher Reeve and 2013’s Man of Steel with Henry Cavill, which delved into the character’s origins, there’s no need to retell the same narrative. Recent interpretations like The Batman and the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy have skipped retelling their titular heroes’ origins, recognizing the audience’s familiarity with their beginnings.
Will David Corenswet Do Justice To The Character
David Corenswe will be playing Superman in the upcoming film. With a ten-year age difference compared to Henry Cavill, David Corenswet has reached the same age at which he first portrayed Superman. This raises the possibility that, if the DC Universe unfolds as intended, Corenswet could potentially portray the iconic superhero for a longer duration than Cavill did within a ten-year timeframe.
The extent of James Gunn’s long-term vision for the DC Universe (DCU) remains uncertain, but if their goal is to rival the longevity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s reasonable to anticipate a franchise designed to endure for at least a decade. Superman: Legacy, written and directed by Gunn, is slated for release on July 11, 2025.
Source: Twitter
