In a recent tweet, filmmaker James Gunn confirmed that he was hired to write Superman: Legacy over six months ago, contradicting the assumption that the upcoming film was a response to Henry Cavill’s cameo in Black Adam. Gunn clarified that Legacy was a separate project that was already in development before he and Peter Safran were hired to lead the revamped DC Studios. However, the confusion around Cavill’s role as Superman and the lack of structure and direction at DC in recent years has left many fans disappointed.
Superman: Legacy Was in Development Before Black Adam‘s Release
According to James Gunn, Superman: Legacy was in development and greenlit before Black Adam’s release and while Cavill was prepping for the film.
Gunn made it clear that Superman: Legacy and the Commandos projects were already in progress before he and Peter Safran were brought on board to lead the reimagined DC Studios. He emphasized that these projects were not accelerated or fast-tracked and that Legacy was intended to be a standalone project.
He later clarified that he was hired six months ago to write the new Superman movie. This movie was expected to be developed concurrently with Man of Steel 2 and the Elseworlds Black Superman project, which was written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and produced by JJ Abrams. However, the Man of Steel sequel was ultimately scrapped, and Cavill was removed from the role.
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This revelation has cleared up speculation that Man of Steel 2 was canceled due to the development of Legacy. However, it has not addressed why Cavill was brought back to the role in Black Adam if Legacy was already in development and was meant to be a separate project. And fans too asked the same.
Six months ago! Then why did they have Cavill cameo in black Adam if you were already working on a new Superman?
— Nickatina #4NERDS (@Nickatina_show) February 19, 2023
Gunn’s explanation that Cavill was not fired but was never actually under contract for the role has only added to the confusion. He has stated that he wants to cast the right actor for the role and that “for this story, it isn’t Henry.”
“We didn’t fire Henry. Henry was never cast. For me, it’s about who do I want to cast as Superman and who do the filmmakers we have want to cast. And for me, for this story, it isn’t Henry.”
Gunn has also expressed his admiration for Cavill, calling him a great guy who was “d-cked around” by the previous bosses at Warner and DC Films.
The Superman Saga: Chaos at DC and the Confusion Surrounding Henry Cavill’s Role as Superman
The confusion surrounding Superman: Legacy and Henry Cavill‘s role as Superman is just the latest example of the chaos at DC in recent years. James Gunn has stated that there was basically no one minding the mint at DC and that IP was being given out to any creatives who smiled at whoever was in charge.
“The history has been sh–t, there was basically no one minding the mint and they were giving out IP to any creatives that…smiled at whoever was in charge. There was never any real power given to the people in charge. And so somebody could always go over their head and do whatever they wanted.”
This lack of structure and direction has led to numerous projects slipping through the cracks and fans being left disappointed.
While fans may be frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding Superman’s future in the DC universe, it’s clear that James Gunn and Warner Bros. Discovery are working to restructure and bring some order to DC’s creative process. With numerous Elseworlds projects in development, including a new Constantine film and a Superman film written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and produced by JJ Abrams, there’s still plenty for DC fans to look forward to.
Source: Ryan Kinel | YouTube
