Superman Legacy (2025) Movie

SUPERMAN LEGACY (2025) MOVIE
February 2, 2024
Director James Gunn has announced via his Instagram account that composer
John Murphy will create the musical score for the upcoming film “Superman:
Legacy”.
“Happy to announce that my frequent collaborator @johnmurphycomposer is

scoring #SupermanLegacy. John was one of the first people I called when I
finished the script many months ago as I knew how incredibly important the
score was to this production. John has been working tirelessly since, creating
hours worth of music that we’ll play on set as we shoot & use in the edit & that
will eventually be recorded with a glorious symphony for all of you. Welcome to
the DCU, John!”
Murphy replied by saying, “Thank you James. So proud and excited to be

working with you again, and proud to be a part of the DCU adventure. And what
a project! Working on ‘Superman: Legacy’ is a dream come true. Thank you.”
John Murphy has worked previously with James Gunn, having composed the
score for “Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3” and “The Suicide Squad”.
The cast of “Superman: Legacy” features David Corenswet as Superman/Clark

Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Skyler
Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Nathan Fillion
as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as
Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and María Gabriela de Faría
as The Engineer.
Directed by James Gunn, “Superman: Legacy” is scheduled to be released July

11, 2025.
James Gunn Shares Photo of “Superman: Legacy” Storyboards

January 31, 2024 Director James Gunn has shared a photo of the multiple
boxes containing the hundreds of storyboard cards he has personally drawn for
the movie “Superman: Legacy”.
Just a few storyboards for #SupermanLegacy.
Superman: Legacy Storyboards

Storyboarding is a visual planning technique used in the pre-production phase
to outline the sequence of shots and scenes in a film. It involves creating a
series of illustrations that represent key moments, actions, and camera angles
in the story. Storyboarding serves as a blueprint for the director,
cinematographer, and other members of the production team to visualize and
communicate how the story will unfold visually.
In an interview with Collider to discuss the making of “Guardians of the Galaxy:

Volume 3” the director revealed the exhaustive process he goes through to
prepare each film he writes and directs.
“I do an incredibly in-depth treatment for every movie. I think of writing a

screenplay as creating the body of a human being and you’ve got to start with
the skeleton, start with the bones, and you create the bones. You take a lot of
time because that’s the actual base of the movie and if you screw that part up,
later on down the line, you’re going to have a lot of mistakes. So by creating a
really strong foundation for the story, that’s the most important thing. So I write
a good treatment that’s probably about 70 pages long. It includes photographs
and things like that. So that has been the way I’ve dealt with every movie.”
Below is an example of a James Gunn storyboard from that film.

as The Engineer.
11, 2025.
January 23, 2024

Central Casting Georgia has posted a casting call for a “Principal Role for a
Warner Bros. Feature Film” taking place in Atlanta, Georgia.
While the casting call doesn’t specifically state that the feature film is
“Superman: Legacy,” it’s not too much of a stretch to make the connection. To
begin with, Atlanta, GA is where the production office of “Superman: Legacy” is
based, and the casting call is searching for “Boys ages 2-3 years old and 6-7
years old who appear Caucasian with dark brown/black hair”.
Being a “principal role,” it would also appear that the young actors would be
playing young versions of Kal-El/Clark Kent, either in flashback sequences or
for an opening montage.
The casting call also states that filming will take place in Atlanta, GA around
May/June of 2024, with auditions taking place in January.
Anyone interested should submit photos, DOB, contact info and where you are
located by tomorrow (Wednesday, January 24, 2024) to
GenesisSearch2@gmail.com.
SUPERMAN: LEGACY Star María Gabriela de Faría Shows Off Impressive
Physique Before Playing DCU's Engineer
María Gabriela de Faría will play The Authority's Engineer in Superman: Legacy
and the actress has shown off her impressive physique in a new workout photo.
We also have some DCU updates from James Gunn...
News
By JoshWilding
Jan 17, 2024
Shortly after the SAG-AFTRA strike concluded, Superman: Legacy director

James Gunn added Venezuelan actress María Gabriela de Faría (Animal
Control) to the movie's cast as Angela Spica/The Engineer.
In the comics, Angie Spica is the second Engineer and a member of the
Authority. She has a liquid body due to nanites in her bloodstream, and with this
metal blood, she can create solid objects. The character was created by Warren
Ellis and Bryan Hitch and first appeared in The Authority #1 in 1999.
There were rumours early on that Superman: Legacy would feature the team,
though we later heard that was a misdirect to distract from the fact members of
the Justice League will appear. It’s unclear whether any other characters from
the Wildstorm team are going to show up, though Matthew Vaughn remains a
frontrunner to helm The Authority movie and has confirmed he’s met with DC
Studios.
We know David Corenswet is in Atlanta preparing to play the new Man of Steel
but Faría is also hard at work based on a new workout photo she's shared on
social media. The actress confirmed this is for Superman: Legacy by revealing
she's in "[the] final stretch to start a wild shoot." Production on the DC Studios
reboot begins in March.
Lois Lane And Metamorpho Have Scenes Together In SUPERMAN: LEGACY;
David Corenswet Undergoing Fight Training
Over on Threads, Gunn debunked a Letterboxd rumour that Ryan Gosling will
appear as the DCU's Batman in Superman: Legacy and later appeared to
suggest his movie is inspired by Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
The 1939 classic tells the story of a naive, newly appointed United States
senator who fights against government corruption.
Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his

Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville,
Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided
by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
David Corenswet is playing the Man of Steel, while Rachel Brosnahan has been
tapped to star as Lois Lane. Other recent casting additions include Isabela
Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy
Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Gabriela de Faría as The
Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy
Olsen, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Actor Anthony Carrigan discusses how dealing with alopecia has helped him
relate to his upcoming role as Metamorpho, DC Comics' ever-shifting mixture of
elements.
News
By MarkJulian –
Jan 14, 2024
Source: Rolling Stone
In a new awards season interview with Rolling Stone to celebrate his
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy Nomination for his
contributions to HBO's Barry, actor Anthony Carrigan reflected on his long
career- which typically involved playing villain roles and whether his usual
preparation changes now that he's going to be playing the superhero
Metamorpho in Superman: Legacy.
Carrigan previously played Mist on The CW's Flash, Victor Zsasz on Gotham
and Dennis Caleb McCoy in 2020's Bill & Ted Face the Music.
However, in Legacy, Carrigan will finally get to play a superhero, albeit a tragic
one as Rex Mason's transformation into a mass of gasses and chemicals meant
he could never assume a regular, fully human appearance.
Naturally, Carrigan explained that he couldn't give away any details on
Superman: Legacy but he happily shared that he's excited to work with Legacy
director James Gunn.
"I can't give away any of those details, but I can just reiterate that I'm so grateful
to be part of it. I've been wanting to work with James Gunn for such a long time,
and this opportunity is the coolest that you could possibly get. I'm so, so
grateful."
Concerning his transformation from bad guy to hero, Carrigan says he's grateful
for the chance, but no matter the nature of the role, he's constantly searching
for ways to ensure his characters aren't one-dimensional.
"It's very refreshing to be playing a superhero, finally, but I don't think it quite
matters to me. My favorite game is to, no matter what I'm given, try to find the
opposites."
"See what's possible in terms of stretching a character in different directions.

With all of my characters, I really try to find some sense of authenticity and truth
in what I can relate to about the character. With Metamorpho, this is a character
who was almost cursed with his powers and thought that he was freakish in
terms of what he looked like, and that's something I could totally relate to
because of my alopecia."
"Alopecia is an interesting experience to go through because it, more than

anything, rocks your world when it comes to your identity. You go from
someone who moves throughout the world in a way that everyone looks at you
and you are who you are, and then all of a sudden, things start to change on
your head and on your face. People stop looking at you, and they start looking
at your condition, and that is a really alienating, very dehumanizing thing."
According to Carrigan, villains and heroes in this situation have very different
responses.
"Villains don't really accept themselves all that much. Superheroes tend to.
There's this concept of acknowledging one's journey and leading with love as
opposed to bitterness and wishing that you could change."
If Carrigan's views can be taken as an indication of how Metamorpho will be
depicted in Superman: Legacy, it sounds as if he's not going to be a
downtrodden hero, cursing his fate, always looking for a cure (similar to how the
Hulk started out in the MCU).
Instead, he'll simply be looking to make the best of his situation. Whether that's
as a member of The Terrifics, Justice League International or some other
superhero group, we'll have to wait for more details to be shared on the James
Gunn-directed and written pic.
Superman: Legacy will feature David Corenswet as Kal-El/Clark Kent, Rachel

Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo
as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced
as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, María
Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/The Engineer and Anthony Carrigan as
Metamorpho.
Additionally, Nicholas Hoult has been confirmed by Gunn to portray Lex Luthor
in the film.
Currently set for release on July 11, 2025, Superman: Legacy is the first film in
Gunn's reboot the DCEU. Filming was originally expected to begin this January
but has now been confirmed to start in March.
:
Superman: Legacy star Rachel Brosnahan has shared more details about what
fans can expect from her take on the "marvellous" Lois Lane in the upcoming
reboot, teasing a Man of Steel with a sense of humour.
By JoshWilding –
Jan 15, 2024 10:01 AM EST
Superhero movie casting decisions are often divisive, usually because every fan
has a much different idea of how they'd like their favourite character to be
portrayed on screen. However, in the case of Superman: Legacy and Rachel
Brosnahan, the response to her playing Lois Lane has been unanimously
positive.
Choosing her to take on this role as The Daily Planet's most intrepid reporter
has proven to be a genius move on James Gunn's part and there's plenty of
excitement surrounding what she brings to the role.
Talking to the Associated Press at last night's Critics Choice Awards,

Brosnahan opened up on what she hopes to achieve with Superman: Legacy.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star also explained how the approach to this movie
justifies the hero being rebooted...again.
"We have big shoes to fill. But we're excited to try to fill them," she enthused. "I
think the best part about working on this has been that, from top to bottom, from
James [Gunn] to Peter Safran, everyone at DC, and David [Corenswet]...we're
all just nerds for this stuff."
"There's so much love and care that's being taken to make this film both a film
that honours the source material and also justifies making another one."
During a separate conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Brosnahan shared

similar sentiments by reiterating how much thought is being put into the Man of
Tomorrow's DCU debut.
"I've really enjoyed the collaboration with James Gunn so far. Every single
person involved with this production is such a perfect nerd for Superman. We all
grew up watching the movies and some of us grew up reading the comics," the
actress said. "I feel like it's being made with so much love. This Superman will
have a sense of humour...we're excited to both put our own spin on things but
also honour the material we love so much."
Asked to describe her take on Lois in three words, Brosnahan responded with,
"Feisty. Dare I say, marvellous? And fiercely intelligent."


Superman: Legacy star Rachel Brosnahan has broken her silence on playing
the DCU's Lois Lane, sharing new insights into how she's preparing for the role
and what the character might look like on screen...
By JoshWilding
Jan 08, 2024
DC Studios and filmmaker James Gunn's hunt for Superman: Legacy's two
leads dominated headlines for months, but when David Corenswet and Rachel
Brosnahan were announced as the DCU's Clark Kent and Lois Lane, the
response from fans was overwhelmingly positive.
Despite some sour grapes about Man of Steel star Henry Cavill's firing,
Corenswet was embraced for looking the part and being a big enough unknown
not to bring any baggage to the role. Brosnahan, meanwhile, is a major talent
who will undoubtedly do justice to Lois in a way few before her have been able
to.
Talking during last night's Golden Globes - you can check out the full list of
winners here - the actress broke her silence in playing Lois Lane and addressed
how she's been preparing for the role.
"We've been having a lot of great conversations, David [Corenswet] and I, with
James Gunn the director and we've been talking a lot about where this project
fits into the canon of the 'Supermans' that we know so hopefully this will be
putting our own stamp on things," Brosnahan says in the video below.
Asked whether she'll don a pair of glasses as the intrepid Daily Planet reporter
(an odd question, admittedly), she responded, "I don't know actually. Maybe.
We haven't got that far in the fittings yet."
Both Gunn's past remarks and these latest comments make it clear Superman:
Legacy will be very much its own thing, and we're hoping that means a more
comic-accurate approach than previous adaptations. We know the DC Studios
co-CEO is a fanboy and the cast he's assembled is mighty impressive, so the
odds are in its favour.
Here's the full interview with Brosnahan on the upcoming Superman reboot.

Superman: Legacy director James Gunn has shared several updates about the
reboot, including where things stand with the Man of Tomorrow's costume and
the movie's cast. Find more details after the jump...
News
By JoshWilding –
Jan 02, 2024
2024 is here and that means we're now in the same year cameras will begin
rolling on Superman: Legacy. While Creature Commandos is set to be the first
story told in the new DCU, it's the Man of Tomorrow's reboot that DC Studios
hopes will wash away the bad taste left by the DCEU as they gear up for a fresh
start.
Filmmaker James Gunn recently answered a series of questions on Threads,

sharing an update about where things stand for Superman's long-awaited big
screen return (the hero's first true solo outing since 2013's Man of Steel).
"It's going swimmingly," the DC Studios co-CEO said. "Sets being built,
costumes being finished, actors studying roles, prosthetics and VFX models
being made, flights booked. Here we go."
Asked when David Corenswet's Superman costume is likely to be finished,

Gunn stated the obvious by saying, "By the time we shoot." He'd later add that
fans shouldn't assume concept art for the costumes is finished - suggesting
they're still figuring out Supes' appearance - and said "more" than 90% of the
cast has been assembled...but not yet 100%!
Composer John Williams Walks Back Retirement Comments As Speculation

Mounts He'll Work On SUPERMAN: LEGACY
Gunn also recently mentioned that "We don’t shoot for over two months," so
we're likely in store for more casting news and an official suit reveal in the not-
too-distant future. The filmmaker has said he won't share the costume before
cameras roll, meaning we may be left waiting until July's San Diego Comic-Con.
Last year, Gunn addressed how his approach to Superman: Legacy will differ
from the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. "I learned so much from making these
[Guardians] movies," he said. "But it’s not like Superman is going to have
exactly the same vibe as a Guardians movie. It’s actually quite different."
"We love Superman. We love Batman. We love Iron Man. Because they’re
these incredible characters that we have in our hearts," Gunn added. "And if it
becomes just a bunch of nonsense onscreen, it gets really boring. But I get
fatigued by most spectacle films, by the grind of not having an emotionally
grounded story."

DC Studios co-chair and Superman: Legacy director James Gunn comments on

the recently surfaced logline for the upcoming Man of Steel film starring David
Corenswet.
News
By MarkJulian
Dec 23, 2023
A few days ago, a logline for Superman: Legacy surfaced online, courtesy of
Productions List which stated that the upcoming Superman reboot would begin
shooting in March.
DC Studios co-chair and Legacy director/screenwriter James Gunn has
confirmed that cameras will indeed start to roll in March but he stated that the
logline synopsis for the film was not 100% accurate.
The original synopsis from Production List reads, "Superman, a cub reporter in
Metropolis, embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his
human upbringing as Clark Kent."
Gunn responded, "Not sure where this logline came from. I didn’t write it. It has
elements of truth (obviously based on things I’ve said in the past). But I wouldn’t
describe the plot this way, & I wouldn’t call Clark a cub reporter. He’s a thirty-
year-old full-on reporter."
"But, yeah, we shoot in March. I’m grateful every day our production team
worked their asses off to keep things going through the strikes. Forces impelled
us to stop many times - & if we had we’d never make July 2025."
Despite Creature Commandos arriving in 2024, Gun has previously stated that
the DCU doesn't truly get the ball rolling until Legacy hits theaters the following
year.
During the announcement of the Gods and Monsters: Chapter 1 slate, Gunn
described Legacy as, "Superman: Legacy is the true foundation of our creative
vision for the DC Universe. Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, but
he is also a favorite character for comic book readers, viewers of earlier movies,
and fans around the world."
He continued, "I can’t wait to introduce our version of Superman who audiences
will be able to follow and get to know across films, movies, animation and
gaming.”
The James Gunn-directed (and written) Superman: Legacy, film stars David
Corenswet as Kal-El/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Sara
Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion
Mister Terrific, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela
Spica/The Engineer and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
in the film.
Fans are still eagerly awaiting official casting for the roles of Ma and Pa Kent,
Jor-El and potentially Sam Lane and Brainiac.
Gunn's reboot the DCEU. Filming was originally expected to begin this January
but has now been confirmed to start in March.
DOCTOR WHO Showrunner Russell T Davies Credits Christopher Eccleston

For Modernizing The Doctor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU:
James Gunn's Superman: Legacy is reportedly set to begin filming next March,
and we also have a brief new logline for the DCU Man of Steel reboot...
News
By MarkCassidy –
Dec 21, 2023
Previous reports have indicated that James Gunn's Superman: Legacy is set to
begin filming early next year, and we may now have a more specific shoot date
along with a new logline.
Production List reported that cameras are scheduled to begin rolling around
March 4 earlier today, and Collider has now backed up the initial report,
although they believe principal photography is more likely to begin around mid-
March.
The brief synopsis reads: "Superman, a cub reporter in Metropolis, embarks on

a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as
Clark Kent."
Not exactly in-depth or revealing, but then it's not exactly surprising that major
plot details are being kept under wraps for the time being.
David Corenswet will star as the latest big-screen take on the Man of Steel, and
recent photos have revealed that the actor has bulked up considerably for the
role.
Superman: Legacy will also star Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas
Hoult as Lex Luthor, along with Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as
Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony
Carrigan as Metamorpho.
More recently, Sara Sampaio signed on to play Lex's assistant/lover Eve

Teschmacher, and Skyler Gisondo has been cast as Jimmy Olsen.
Members of the anti-hero team The Authority are also expected to appear, and
María Gabriela de Faría (Animal Control) has been cast as Angela Spica/The
Engineer.
Supergirl is also rumored to make her debut ahead of her own Woman of
Tomorrow movie, but that's yet to be confirmed.
We're still not sure exactly how these other superheroes will factor into the
story, but Gunn has previously revealed that Superman's dual-life as both Clark
Kent and the Man of Steel will be explored in the film, suggesting that these
characters will be his "super friends." Whether they'll be part of an actual team
or not remains to be seen.
“Superman: Legacy is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC
Universe. Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, he is also a favorite
character for comic book readers, viewers of earlier movies, and fans around
the world," said Gunn during the DCU slate announcement. "I can’t wait to
introduce our version of Superman who audiences will be able to follow and get
to know across films, movies, animation and gaming.”
Production is scheduled to get underway early next year.

Cameras are going to start rolling very soon on Superman: Legacy which
makes James Gunn's answer to how he responds when actors want to tweak
his scripts, very interesting.
News
By MarkJulian –
Dec 21, 2023
It's reasonable to say that Superman: Legacy fans everywhere will be eagerly
awaiting the film's completion as filming is expected to start in January.
This is due to the fact that a superhero film universe's subsequent slate of films
and television shows may suffer from a tarnished beginning that causes division
or controversy. If the first Iron Man film hadn't been such an unexpected hit, the
course of the MCU would have been drastically different.
James Gunn is the director and writer of Legacy, which is (hopefully) taking up
all of his time, even though he co-chairs DC Studios with Peter Safran.
Hopefully, Safran will be able to take on more responsibility and day-to-day
decision-making while Gunn devotes his entire attention to the upcoming
Superman feature.
Responding to a fan on Threads asking about how Gunn responds when an

actor on one of his films approaches him requesting a change to the script, he
replied, "I hear out everyone and consider and sometimes I make a change and
sometimes I don’t. But it’s often best to start with a question, “Why is so and so
doing this here?'"
"Because sometimes there’s something I as a writer understand that isn’t clear

to the reader. I communicate a lot more as a director than I do as a writer -
otherwise my scripts would be hundreds of pages long!"
Superman: Legacy, the James Gunn-directed (and written) film stars David
Corenswet as Kal-El/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion
Mister Terrific, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela
Spica/The Engineer and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
in the film.
Gunn's reboot the DCEU. Filming is expected to begin this January.
As filmmaker James Gunn gears up to begin work on Superman: Legacy, he's

revealed that there's one recent piece of technology which he has no intention
of utilising on the reboot's set. Find out why here!
News
By JoshWilding
Dec 18, 2023
The Volume is a large, immersive LED video wall often used for virtual
production and is something of a technological marvel. Allowing filmmakers to
create realistic background environments in real-time, it provides a dynamic and
interactive backdrop for scenes and was first used on the set of The
Mandalorian.
Despite being an undeniable game-changer, it didn't take long for studios to get
lazy. In Disney's case, for example, it's led to the bland Quantum Realm we all
spent two hours staring at in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and, for
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, murky backgrounds which would have once
been brought to our screens by shooting on location.
Good can be done with it, though, but it's not a piece of technology James
Gunn plans to use on Superman: Legacy.
Asked by a fan whether it will be part of the upcoming DCU reboot, the director
and DC Studios co-CEO responded, "Sets too big and my cameras move too
much." We're not sure how Gunn feels about The Volume (many filmmakers
aren't a fan), though it's clearly not a good fit for this particular project. It was,
however, used superbly in The Batman last year.
We don't know whether Gunn plans to shoot out in the world. If he does, then
there's a strong chance set photos will provide a sneak peek at many of
Superman: Legacy's leads, including the Man of Tomorrow himself. An official
suit reveal is sure to be shared before then, of course.
Kurt Russell no longer appears to be in the running for Jor-El and there's no
word on Ma and Pa Kent or whether they're even alive in this iteration of Clark
Kent's story. Brainiac, meanwhile, is expected to serve as the reboot's big bad.
With production set to begin early next year, we're hoping the final few cast
members will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

James Gunn has shared a photo on his Instagram account showing a familiar
Superman “Verisimilitude” sign hanging outside the “Superman: Legacy” visual
effects department.
For those unfamiliar with the significance or reference, director Richard Donner
used a very similar sign to emphasize to the cast and crew what they were
trying to achieve when making “Superman: The Movie” back in the late 1970s.
The word became a mantra of the production.
Donner's Verisimilitude Sign

Verisimilitude means being true or real.
This bodes well for Superman fans, with the sign indicating that the cast and
crew of “Superman: Legacy” are also attempting to remain true to who
Superman is and what he stands for.

as The Engineer.
11, 2025.
The director and DC Studios' co-head continues to tease fans on the film that
sees David Corenswet in the title role as the legendary superhero.
BY CARLY THOMAS
Plus Icon
CARLY THOMAS
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
James Gunn Shares Update on ‘Superman: Legacy’ Storyboard, Superhero

Costume and Score
DECEMBER 16, 2023
James Gunn
James Gunn KEVIN WINTER/GETTY IMAGES
James Gunn is clearly excited about the highly-anticipated Superman: Legacy
and has decided to share some additional insight into the movie.
The co-head of DC Studios, who is also helming the superhero project, recently
took to Threads to tease the creative planning into the movie with a storyboard
shot.
“Spoiler??!! Well, probably not,” he wrote in the caption. “I’m constantly drawing
Superman Legacy shots and storyboards all over everything. Here’s one I just
sent to my department heads to understand how tight a shot was going to be
we had been discussing.”
When a fan followed up with a question, asking what was happening in the
image, Gunn added, “The camera is moving back with the character. For me,
the full arrows are camera movement, the thin arrows are subject movement.”
Though details surrounding the film’s plot have been kept under wraps, casting
has ramped up in recent weeks following the actors strike ending. It was
previously announced that David Corenswet will take on the title role as the
iconic superhero, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex
Luthor, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Sara Sampaio as Eve
Teschmacher. Anthony Carrigan, Isabel Merced and Nathan Fillion are also in
the cast as heroes Metamorpho, Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner/Green Lantern,
respectively.
Gunn also offered an update on where Superman’s costume and the film’s
music score currently stand.
“The costume is mostly done but we’re still going back and forth on some
elements,” the filmmaker said. “A lot of the score – maybe even most of the
major themes – have already been written.”
After another fan asked why the movie’s composer hasn’t been announced
publicly yet, Gunn explained that he’s not sure if a deal has closed yet.
“I have to check,” he said. “(And yes I know that sounds crazy since so much of
the score has been written, but when you’re riding the waves of inspiration,
what are you going to do? I wrote most of Peacemaker and all of Creature
Commandos before I had a closed deal!)
Superman: Legacy is expected to arrive in theaters July 11, 2025.
READ MORE ABOUT:
The pair are familiar faces to those that follow Gunn's movies.
BY BORYS KIT
Plus Icon
DECEMBER 15, 2023
Pom Klementieff and Miriam Shor are the latest to join the growing cast of
James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy.
The Man of Steel feature is due to be the kickoff for the much ballyhooed DC
Studios slate when it hits theaters in July 2025 and has been casting up
furiously since the end of the actors strike in November.
Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio and Sean Gunn are among those who have
joined in recent weeks, with Nicholas Hoult, who’ll be playing villain Lex Luthor,
being officially announced as having his deal done by Gunn on Instagram
Monday.
David Corenswet is starring as Clark Kent/Superman while Rachel Brosnahan
is playing intrepid reporter Lois Lane. Anthony Carrigan, Isabel Merced, and
Nathan Fillion are also in the cast as heroes Metamorpho, Hawkgirl, and Guy
Gardner/Green Lantern, respectively.
Details of Klementieff and Shor’s roles are being kept in the Fortress of
Solitude. DC declined to comment.
Both, however, are part of the Gunn family. Klementieff became a scene-
stealing breakout when she played alien empath Mantis in Gunn’s Guardians of
the Galaxy movies and also had a cameo in the filmmaker’s 2021 DC movie
The Suicide Squad. Shor, meanwhile, played a henchwoman known as
Recorder Vim in this summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Klementieff was last seen trying to kill Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part One. She is repped by CAA, Linden Entertainment, Two
Management, and Goodman Genow.
Shor has an enviable awards season ahead of her as she co-stars in both
Maestro, Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic from Netflix, and American
Fiction, the satire from Cord Jefferson that won the People’s Choice Award at
the Toronto International Film Festival. She is repped by Gersh, Impression
Entertainment, and Schreck Rose.
:
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn shares some significant updates on where
things stand with Superman: Legacy score and costume, while also revealing
how work is progressing on the wider DCU and The Batman II.
News
By JoshWilding –
Dec 15, 2023
We're not expecting a first look at Superman: Legacy to be revealed until next
July's San Diego Comic-Con, though it's always possible we'll see something
before then if James Gunn decides to shoot the reboot on location.
In the meantime, the filmmaker continues to keep fans updated on Threads and
was recently asked whether the new Man of Steel's suit will be "more classic,
modern, or something totally new and different."
To that, Gunn responded, "All of the above." He'd go on to add, "The costume is
mostly done but we’re still going back and forth on some elements. A lot of the
score - maybe even most of the major themes - have already been written."
Asked why a composer hasn't been announced, the filmmaker noted, "I’m not
sure the deal is closed yet. I have to check...And yes I know that sounds crazy
since so much of the score has been written, but when you’re riding the waves
of inspiration, what are you going to do? I wrote most of Peacemaker and all of
Creature Commandos before I had a closed deal!"
"It’s uncommon but I’ve been having scores written before the movies are shot -
we play the music on set - all the way back to Super."
As for how the comics are inspiring his approach to Superman: Legacy, Gunn
was quick to point out that he's not basing this movie on any one specific title.
"There are a lot of elements in Birthright that have inspired Legacy, just as there
are elements from All Star, For All Seasons, back to the original Siegel and
Shuster stories, and much, much more."
Finally, Gunn shared a brief update on Superman actor David Corenswet when
he said, "I love that guy! Fully immersed."
So, what of The Batman II? Despite it being an Elseworlds project that isn't part
of the DCU (that world's Dark Knight will debut in The Brave and the Bold),
Gunn does appear to be involved with Matt Reeves sequel and said, "I heard a
pitch. No script yet."
Explaining his role beyond DC Studios' offerings, Gunn added, "Todd had Joker
in full swing by the time we came onboard - I’ve watched and given notes, but it
is mostly with WB, where it started. Everything forward in live-action we’re
involved with."
He also confirmed that DC Studios movies will have a new fanfare, with
Elseworlds titles getting their own version (which we'll presumably see for the
first time with Joker: Folie à Deux next year).
As of now, Superman: Legacy is scheduled to be released on July 11, 2025,

with The Batman II coming on October 3 that same year.
Superman: Legacy director and DC Studios boss James Gunn has confirmed
that at least one aspect of Lex Luthor's appearance from the comics will be
present in the reboot...and it's sure to make fans happy.
News
By Josh Wilding –
Dec 12, 2023
After weeks of speculation, it was finally confirmed yesterday that Nicholas

Hoult will play Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy. The actor is thought to be
among those who auditioned to play the Man of Steel, but it seems James
Gunn thought he'd be a better fit for one of the DCU's greatest villains rather
than its brightest hero.
The filmmaker and DC Studios co-CEO recently answered a series of fan

questions on Threads and was asked whether Hoult's Luthor will be bald. You
might think that happening is guaranteed, though the character's portrayal in
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice saw him with a full head of hair until the
final few minutes.
Asked "are you going make him bald," Gunn replied, "ofc [of course]." Someone
else shared fan art of Lex looking at his classic robotic costume from the
comics, though the Superman: Legacy helmer wasn't giving much away when
he simply replied, "That’s cool."
Gunn was also asked why it's taken this long to announce Hoult's casting when
the news broke in the trade weeks ago. "It was a leak," he admits. "I don’t know
who leaked it. It’s fine. But you never know when something can go wrong, so I
didn’t want to announce it."
In yesterday's announcement, Gunn said: "Yes, finally I can answer, [Nicholas

Hoult] is Lex Luthor in [Superman: Legacy] and I couldn’t be happier. We went
out to dinner last night to celebrate [and] discuss how we can create a Lex that
will be different from anything you’ve seen before and will never forget."
"'But, James, we heard this weeks ago, why didn’t you tell us it was true'
Because, although we were discussing it, it wasn’t final until a couple days ago
and I don’t want to tell you all something that isn’t certain."
On the page, Luthor's iconic bald appearance is typically attributed to various

origins. One common explanation is that Luthor lost his hair due to a scientific
accident involving an invention gone wrong, though it's often been portrayed as
a result of an experiment or encounter with Kryptonite, Superman's weakness.

Superman: Legacy director James Gunn has responded to complaints about
the size of the reboot's cast, likening the movie to Oppenheimer, and confirming
those superheroes are getting more than just cameos.
News
By Josh Wilding –
Dec 12, 2023
Much has been said about the size of Superman: Legacy's cast, and with so
many superheroes expected to appear, it arguably feels more like a Justice
League movie than Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice did back in 2016!
James Gunn is no stranger to handling large ensemble casts after helming the
likes of Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, but a Superman
movie should surely focus only on the Man of Tomorrow, right? With Lex Luthor
and potentially Brainiac also set to appear, there are concerns among fans that
this reboot will be far too crowded.
The DC Studios co-CEO recently responded to some of these worries on social

media, and when one fan on Threads said previous Superman movies featured
only Kal-El as their protagonist, Gunn responded, "We aren’t those movies.
We’re us."
He'd go on to say that "none of [the superhero] roles is cameos," and made it
clear he isn't done putting this cast together. "What single-protagonist movie
doesn’t have more than ten speaking roles?" Gunn asked. "There will be more."
One follower used Oppenheimer as an example of a movie with a lead

character surrounded by a large supporting cast, to which Gunn said, "Yep! So
true. Very much a single protagonist film with a lot more characters than we
have."
Honestly, all the complaints are likely much ado about nothing and we're sure
Gunn knows what he's doing. Whether a Superman reboot needs the likes of
Green Lantern and Metamorpho is up for debate, but it's likely all part of the
filmmaker's plan to launch the new DCU.


December 11, 2023
Nicholas Hoult and James Gunn
Director James Gunn has confirmed that Nicholas Hoult has been cast as Lex
Luthor for the upcoming movie “Superman: Legacy”.
“Yes, finally I can answer, Nicholas Hoult is Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy
and I couldn’t be happier,” he stated on Instagram.
“We went out to dinner last night to celebrate and discuss how we can create a
Lex that will be different from anything you’ve seen before and will never forget.”
The news of Hoult’s casting was reported online on November 20, but the
casting hadn’t officially been announced by Gunn “because, although we were
discussing it, it wasn’t final until a couple days ago and I don’t want to tell you all
something that isn’t certain.”
He concluded his post with, “Here’s to Lex (and Nicholas!), one of my very
favorite characters in the DCU.”
In response to a fan’s question, Gunn confirmed that Lex Luthor would indeed
be bald in the film.

as The Engineer.

11, 2025.
La próxima entrega del Hombre de Acero continúa reuniendo a sus personajes
y retomaría su producción en los próximos meses
Por
Alejandro Saldaña
22 Nov, 2023
Skyler Gisondo aparecerá en "Superman: Legacy" como Jimmy Olsen.
(Créditos: Instagram/Skyler Gisondo/DC Comics)
La producción de Superman: Legacy continúa expandiéndose. Esta vez, se ha

confirmado que el actor Skyler Gisondo se unirá al reparto como Jimmy Olsen,
el leal aliado del Hombre de Acero y empleado del Daily Planet. Este próximo
proyecto del universo cinematográfico de DC Comics representa una de las
adiciones más esperadas por los fans y continúa dando esperanzas a los
fanáticos de los superhéroes de esta marca, que sigue siendo reestructurada
por James Gunn.
Nicholas Hoult interpretaría el rol antagónico de la película " Superman:

Legacy". (Créditos: DC Cómics)
Gisondo, es conocido por su trabajo en películas como Vacaciones (Vacation),
Los honestos Gemstones (The Righteous Gemstones), Licorice Pizza y por da
vida a Jared en La noche de las nerds (Booksmart), dirigida por Olivia Wilde.
Jimmy Olsen, su nuevo personaje en el próximo film del emblemático
superhéroe de capa roja, es un fotógrafo que a menudo se ha representado
como un joven entusiasta y el mejor amigo de Clark Kent.
Jimmy Olsen y Superman son amigos en los cómics del superhéroe. (Créditos:
DC Comics)
Asimismo, se ha confirmado que la actriz Sara Sampaio será la encargada de

dar vida en pantalla a Eve Teschmacher, personaje que apareció en los
primeros largometrajes de Superman de la era de Richard Donner. Es una
figura conocida por su complicidad con el villano Lex Luthor. Sin embargo, en
nuevas versiones del personaje, se han explorado diferentes facetas,
incluyendo algunas donde muestra simpatía por Superman.
Sampaio, quien también destaca por su prominente carrera como modelo,

incursiona en un rol que promete mayor profundidad y desarrollo de personaje
en la pantalla grande. La artista ha participado previamente en películas como
La carga y ha hecho apariciones en la serie Billions y otras producciones como
Love Advent, mostrando su versatilidad en diferentes formatos y narrativas
audiovisuales. La expectativa en torno a Teschmacher es alta, teniendo en
cuenta que el film pretende ofrecer una mirada renovada a los personajes
clásicos que rodean la mitología de Superman
Sara Sampaio interpretará a Eve Teschmacher en "Superman Legacy".
(Créditos: Reuters/ DC Comics)
“Superman: Legacy” despegará pronto

La producción del largometraje está prevista para comenzar en los próximos
meses, bajo la dirección de James Gunn, cuyo trabajo previo incluye títulos de
éxito en el género de superhéroes como la trilogía de Guardianes de la galaxia
y El escuadrón suicida. La trama aún se mantiene bajo reserva, pero se
especula que traerá una narrativa fresca y contemporánea, que respetará la
historia clásica del personaje mientras abre nuevas posibilidades para el futuro
del universo DC.
Con la incorporación de Skyler Gisondo y Sara Sampaio, el largometraje se

perfila como uno de los títulos más prometedoras de DC Comics, buscando
revitalizar la franquicia y atraer tanto a seguidores de larga data como a una
nueva generación de espectadores que buscan historias fresca que escapen
del molde de la típica historia de superhéroes.
""Superman: Legacy" contará una historia abordada de una manera diferente a
todas sus antecesoras. (Créditos: DC Comics, DC Entertainment, Warner
Bros., DC Studios)
Superman: Legacy se estrenará en 2025, pero su fecha exacta aún no ha sido
anunciada. Mientras tanto, puedes ver otras producciones animadas y en live-
action de Superman en HBO Max.
Two more key Superman: Legacy supporting characters have been cast, with
Sara Sampaio joining the DCU reboot as Eve Teschmache, and Skyler Gisondo
signing on to play Jimmy Olsen...
News
By MarkCassidy
Nov 21, 2023
As expected, the Superman: Legacy casting news has resumed following the
resolution of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and we now know who will play
two key supporting roles in James Gunn's DCU reboot.
On the heels of yesterday's announcement that Nicholas Hoult will play the
villainous Lex Luthor, Deadline is reporting that Sara Sampaio, a Portuguese
actress and model known for her Victoria’s Secret work, has landed the part of
his assistant/lover Eve Teschmacher.
In addition, THR has confirmed a long-standing rumor that The Righteous

Gemstones actor Skyler Gisondo will play Clark Kent and Lois Lane's friend and
fellow The Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen.
They join David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane,
as well as Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan
Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
Members of the anti-hero team The Authority will also appear, and we recently
learned that María Gabriela de Faría (Animal Control) has been cast as Angela
Spica/The Engineer.
Specific plot details are still under wraps, but Brainiac is rumored to be the
movie's primary antagonist. Gunn recently debunked another report which
claimed that the story would revolve around some kind of conflict in the fictional
Middle Eastern country of Bialya, which is where the Scarab in Blue Beetle
originates from in the comics.
It was said that the Man of Steel would be blamed for a terrorist organization
getting their hands on powerful Kryptonian tech, and The Authority would be
sent in to investigate. Gunn simply stated that the terrorist threat aspect "isn't
true," so there's always a chance some of the other details are accurate.
Production is scheduled to get underway early next year.

By Justin Kroll, Anthony D'Alessandro
November 20, 2023
Nicholas Hoult, 'Lex Luthor'

Getty/DC Comics
EXCLUSIVE: We hear that James Gunn has found his Lex Luthor in British
actor Nicholas Hoult, several sources tell us.
A movie star was always eyed for this role after Gunn selected fresh face David
Corenswet in the title role, and Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
The studio wanted to go through the casting process after the SAG-AFTRA
strike of landing an actor to play Luther. Warners is already in business with
Hoult on Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2. Hoult also starred in the 2015 Warner
Bros. blockbuster, Mad Max Fury Road which made over $380M at the global
box office.
Jacob Elordi Says He Shot Down 'Superman' Audition Because It Was "Too
Dark" & Why He Has No Interest In Superhero Films
Deadline reported last week that Venezuelan actress María Gabriela de Faría
landed the role of villain The Engineer.
Hoult follows in the line of such actors as Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey and
Jesse Eisenberg who’ve portrayed Luthor on-screen in the Warner Bros.
Superman franchise.
Gunn selected Corenswet and Brosnahan after months of audition tapes and in-
person screen tests as his main leads before the actors strike, but continued to
be in prep on the movie.
Gunn (the Guardian of the Galaxy films, The Suicide Squad, the original Max
series Peacemaker) is directing from his screenplay based on the DC
characters. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is
being produced by co-DC Boss Peter Safran (Aquaman, the upcoming
Aquaman 2, The Conjuring franchise).
Superman: Legacy has been set for a worldwide release on July 11, 2025.
The project was announced earlier this year when Gunn and Safran laid out
their plan for the first phase of this revamped slate and Superman: Legacy was
front and center as the project that would help launch this strategy.
Hoult is repped by UTA, 42, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
Warner Bros had no comment.

And no, it’s not Lex Luthor! While that villain will likely still appear in Superman:
Legacy, newly surfaced plot details for James Gunn’s reboot may reveal the
true big bad (and you’re going to love it).
News
By JoshWilding –
Nov 17, 2023
For years now, DC Comics fans have made it clear that they want to see the
Man of Steel battle Brainiac on screen. In theaters, the iconic hero has squared
off with the likes of General Zod, Steppenwolf, and even Batman, but is James
Gunn finally going to pit Kal-El against the deadly Collector of Worlds in
Superman: Legacy?
If a new rumour is to be believed, yes!

While we’re taking these claims with a pinch of salt for now, one of social
media’s many scoopers appears to have unearthed some of the first major plot
details for DC Studios’ upcoming reboot. As you can see below, it sounds like
the Middle East will indeed be integral to this story and that Superman finds
himself pulled into the global spotlight after attempting to retrieve missing
Kryptonian technology which could hold the answers to his past.
We’re guessing Supes is either mistaken for a terrorist or believed to be an

American super-weapon. Either way, it should give Gunn the opportunity to
delve into the sort of worldwide consequences the emergence a being like this
would have on global politics.
Still, the fact it’s supposedly Brainiac pulling the strings is what we know will
excite you most, and we may be just a couple of years away from his long-
awaited big screen debut. If this rumour is false, Gunn will be quick to debunk it;
however, if he stays quiet - as he has with the Gal Gadot/Wonder Woman
situation - this leaker is likely on to something.
In the comics, Brainiac is commonly depicted as a superintelligent android from
the planet Colu who is obsessed with collecting all knowledge in the known
universe. The villain was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino,
and debuted in 1958’s Action Comics #242

tapped to star as Lois Lane. other recent casting additions include Isabela
Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Gabriela de Faría as The
Engineer.
Skyler Gisondo is rumoured to be playing Jimmy Olsen and we recently learned

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 star Kurt Russell may be in the running for Jor-
El.
Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11. 2025.

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commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-
party links contained within the content above.
David Corenswet's trainer has shared a new photo of the Superman: Legacy
star to Instagram, and it looks like the actor is bulking up to Man of Steel levels
ahead of filming early next year...
News
By MarkCassidy –
Nov 17, 2023
James Gunn recently confirmed that Superman: Legacy will make its original
release date of July 25, 2025, which means production is most likely still set to
commence early next year (the trades are reporting January).
Previous photos of star David Corenswet out in public have indicated that the
actor packed on a fair amount of muscle in preparation for his lead role as the
Man of Steel, and if this new shot from his personal trainer's Instagram page is
anything to go by, he's bulked-up even more since.
Some fans raised the usual concerns about Corenswet's "slight frame" when his
casting was announced, but at a glance, you could mistake him for his
powerhouse of a predecessor Henry Cavill here.
In addition to Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane,
Legacy will feature Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific,
Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan as
Metamorpho.
Members of the anti-hero team The Authority will also appear, and we recently
learned that María Gabriela de Faría (Animal Control) has been cast as Angela
Spica/The Engineer.
Casting is currently underway for Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White,
and now that the strikes are over, announcements should be forthcoming.
The Righteous Gemstones actor Skyler Gisondo was recently rumored to be a

"top choice" to play Jimmy, while brothers Alexander and Bill Skarsgård are
said to have tested for Luthor along with one-time Superman candidate
Nicholas Hoult. Gunn has yet to weigh in on any of these reports, however.
November 15, 2023
Maria Gabriela De Faria
According to various reports, Venezuelan actress María Gabriela de Faría, best

known for roles in the Fox comedies “Animal Control” and “The Moodys,” has
been cast as The Engineer for James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy”.
Created by writer Warren Ellis for “The Authority” comic book series, The
Engineer, aka Angela Spica, is a member of The Authority. Made of liquid
machinery, the character is able to morph into different weapons at will.
Director by James Gunn, “Superman: Legacy” will star David Corenswet as
Superman/Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and is scheduled to
be released July 11, 2025.
The SAG-AFTRA strike is finally over and we have updates on plans for
Deadpool 3, Superman: Legacy, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The
Brave and the Bold. Find more details after the jump...
News
By JoshWilding –
Nov 09, 2023
Source: Deadline
The SAG-AFTRA strike ended this morning after 118 days. The WGA strike
concluded back in September and the whole of Hollywood will now get back to
work; however, there's going to be one heck of a backlog for studios to work
through.
While some have decided to resume shooting on movies and TV shows in

January because the holidays are fast approaching, Deadline has learned that
Deadpool 3 will resume production this week "or in the very near future."
The trade previously reported that the Marvel Studios threequel would move
from its planned May 2024 release date, likely switching places with July's
Captain America: Brave New World. Now, though, it's possible the Merc with
the Mouth's team-up with Wolverine will be released as planned.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is expected to resume voiceover
recording but remains undated. As for Venom 3, while it shifted release dates
yesterday evening, that too is set to wrap its last few weeks of shooting
imminently.
On the DC side, Superman: Legacy has continued pre-production work amid
the strikes and is now eyeing a March shooting date to meet its planned June
2025 debut. Previously, the plan had been for cameras to start rolling in
January.
We even have news on The Brave and the Bold. Andy Muschietti's Batman
reboot is still said to be in early development, with The Flash helmer currently
focusing on Max's It prequel, Welcome to Derry.
Dealmaking in Hollywood has already resumed, meaning we'll soon get casting
news again. Whether Marvel Studios can quickly enlist The Marvels' cast to
start promoting the sequel is hard to say, though it may be too little, too late at
this stage.
Announcing that a deal had been made last night, SAG-AFTRA missed a
statement which revealed, "In a contract valued at over one billion dollars, we
have achieved a deal of extraordinary scope that includes 'above-pattern'
minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and
compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first
time establishes a streaming participation bonus."
"We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from
every category to build sustainable careers," it added. "Many thousands of
performers now and into the future will benefit from this work."
It's good news for everyone, and while 2024 is still likely to be somewhat
chaotic for Hollywood, it finally feels like we're getting back to business as
usual...
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commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-
party links contained within the content above.
Edi Gathegi has been cast as Mr. Terrific in Superman: Legacy, and director
James Gunn has taken to Instagram to share some artwork depicting the X-
Men: First Class actor as the hero...
By MarkCassidy –
Oct 05, 2023
Last night, James Gunn posted some photos of the comic book covers adorning
the walls of the Superman: Legacy art department office, and the Guardians of
the Galaxy Vol. 3 director has now returned to Instagram to share an artist's
depiction of one of the DC Characters that'll be making their big-screen debut in
the upcoming DCU reboot.
The artwork spotlights Michael Holt, aka Mr. Terrific, who will be played by X-
Men: First Class actor Edi Gathegi in the movie.
Gunn doesn't specify if this is official concept/promo art or a fan-made image,

but it could give us some idea of the character design he'll be going for.
In the comics, Michael Holt is known as "the third-smartest man in the world."
He's the second hero to take up the Mister Terrific mantle after Terry Sloane,
and while he doesn't have any actual super-powers, his T-Spheres make him
invisible to technology.
We're still not sure exactly how Holt will factor into the story, but Gunn has
previously revealed that Superman's lives as both Clarke Kent and the Man of
Steel will be explored in the film, suggesting that Mr. Terrific will be one of his
"super friends." Whether they'll be part of an actual team or not remains to be
seen.
Superman: Legacy will star David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel

Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green
Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
Casting is currently underway for Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White,
and now that the WGA strikes has come to an end, announcements may be
forthcoming.
The Righteous Gemstones actor Skyler Gisondo was recently rumored to be a

"top choice" to play Jimmy, while brothers Alexander and Bill Skarsgård are
said to have tested for Luthor along with one-time Superman candidate
Nicholas Hoult. Gunn has yet to weigh in on any of these reports, however.
Barring any delays, production is scheduled to commence next January.
October 4, 2023
Director James Gunn has shared a couple of photos of the wall inside the
“Superman: Legacy” art department, showing off the large amount of Superman
comic book covers on display.
On his Threads social media account Gunn wrote, “The Art Department Imps
have been decorating the #SupermanLegacy offices.”
When a fan asked if they would have to do the same when the movie
production relocates to London, Gunn responded by saying, “Most future DC
projects will be shot largely in London. Legacy is being shot in many places
across the world, but our home base is in Atlanta.”
“Superman: Legacy”, which will star David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent

and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, is scheduled to be released July 11, 2025.
September 20, 2023
Comic books stories have always been a wealth of inspiration for Superman TV
shows and films, and while we’ve known that “All-Star Superman” appears to
have been a story director James Gunn has looked towards for the upcoming
film “Superman: Legacy”. However, Gunn revealed on Twitter today that
“Superman For All Seasons” has also been a “huge influence” on the new
movie.
“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 Sale’s
artwork & Bjarne Hansen’s watercolor work have never looked better – nor have
Clark & Ma & Pa. Jeph Loeb’s elegant, confident story still sings.”
Written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Tim Sale, “Superman For All Seasons” is a
brilliant coming-of-age tale following the experiences and adventures that turn a
country boy into the world’s greatest hero.
Superman For All Seasons
Told through the course of four seasons in the Man of Steel’s adolescent life,
this collection illustrates that it is the person, not the powers, that makes
Superman a hero.
The catalyst for the “Smallville” television program, “Superman For All Seasons”
is emotional and insightful, humanizing the alien from another planet so that he
is not only realistic but also relatable. It also features in-depth characterizations
of Lana Lang, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane and the Kents.
Absolute Superman for All Seasons collects Superman for All Seasons #1-4,
Superman/Batman #26, Superman/Batman: Secret Files #1, and the Superman
story from Solo #1 in stunning absolute format.
“Superman: Legacy”, which will star David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent

and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, is scheduled to be released July 11, 2025.
The production designer for James Gunn's Superman: Legacy has shared that
she's excited to work on the project since Gunn has such a clear vision for how
he wants the film to look.
By MarkJulian –
Jul 26, 2023 08:07 AM EST
Source: ScreenRant
Superman fans have bid adieu to Henry Cavill and are ready to embrace David
Corenswet as James Gunn looks to reset the DC cinematic universe with
Superman: Legacy.
Despite some actors carrying on from the DCEU, Gunn has previously revealed
that the new DC Studios film canon starts with Superman: Legacy.
Gunn apparently has a strong vision for his Superman film, as the film's
production designer, Beth Mickle, shared with Screen Rant that Gunn knows
precisely how he wants his film to look.
Said Mickle:
"That does mean I am doing the new Superman film, and it couldn't be more of
an honor. I'm very happy. We're all very excited to be a part of the team. We're
very lucky that he comes with a crystal clear vision of what he wants his movies
to be. And that's not often the case."
"A lot of times you're really finding it, or a lot of times a production designer and
the costume designer find it for the director. But he comes always with a brilliant
first draft of the script, which is also very rare, and a really clear idea of how the
movie's going to be shot, what he wants it to feel like. He has strong references.
He has fantastical musical references, and he's really articulate about it. He
really lays out this wonderful roadmap for my team and me and the other
creative departments to follow."
The release date for Superman: Legacy is currently slated for July 11, 2025.
There will be no live-action DC Comics adaptations released in 2024, and
Legacy is currently the only upcoming DCU project with an announced release
date.
The film is being written and directed by James Gunn and will be a reboot of the
Superman franchise.
Currently, David Corenswet will play Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent, Rachel

Brosnahan stars as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion will portray Guy Gardner/Green
Lantern, Isabela Merced has been cast as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will bring
Mister Terrific to life, and Anthony Carrigan will portray Metamorpho.
Several more roles, including who will play Jimmy Olsen and Lex Luthor, were
on the verge of being cast before the SAG-AFTRA strike began.
With a 2025 release date, the ongoing strike shouldn't have a tremendous
impact on when Superman: Legacy will hit theaters, but it all depends on how
quickly the actors and studio producers can come to an agreement.
DC Studios wasn't at Comic-Con this weekend, but co-CEO James Gunn has
taken to social media to debunk a couple of wild claims about the DCU's future,
including supposed plans for a Justice League movie.
By JoshWilding –
Jul 24, 2023
While there may be delays caused by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA
strikes, the current plan is for the new DCU to begin in earnest with Creature
Commandos, Peacemaker spin-off Waller, and 2025's Superman: Legacy.
In the meantime, DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are still
laying the foundations for this new shared world but, should it fail, that might be
it for DC (especially after a disastrous 2023). If the DCU experiment fails, then
we'd imagine Warner Bros. will either offload the brand or make movies and TV
shows a rarity.
Gunn was recently asked about a rumour he's been pushed to include as many
DC characters as possible in Superman: Legacy by Warner Bros. Discovery
David Zaslav. That story claims the executive is already looking to sell the
brand and wants to make it seem as appealing as possible with the reboot.
Unsurprisingly, Gunn has debunked the hard-to-believe story as a complete

fabrication.
At the same time, the filmmaker was asked about a misleading piece from
Screen Rant suggesting the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths movie
(from Warner Bros. Animation) is, in fact, a DC Studios title.
Once again, Gunn confirmed he hasn't announced any plans for a new Justice
League movie and, if one is in the works, we're guessing it won't head our way
until long after moviegoers have forgotten both the 2017 and 2021 efforts.
Check out Gunn's Threads below.

Opinion
Tue, July 11, 2023 Editor’s Note: Roy Schwartz is a pop culture historian and
critic. He is the author of “Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish
History of the World’s Greatest Hero.” Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and
Facebook and at royschwartz.com. The views expressed here are his own.
View more opinion at CNN.
Superman, the first superhero and by some measures, still America’s favorite,
just celebrated his 85th anniversary, dating back to his debut in “Action Comics”
no. 1 in June 1938. Auspiciously, the new movie, “Superman: Legacy,” set to
premiere July 11, 2025, also found its leads in June; 30-year-old David
Corenswet (“Hollywood,” “Pearl”) as Superman/Clark Kent, alongside Rachel
Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane.
Roy Schwartz - courtesy of Roy Schwartz

The casting has been making some waves. Corenswet is half Jewish, which
has prompted articles in pop culture sites like Inverse, Jewish press like The
Jewish Chronicle and even a 1,400-word piece in Rolling Stone on why that
matters.
In fairness, his Jewishness has been overstated. He’s Jewish on his father’s
side, while Judaism is traditionally matrilineal, and it’s unclear whether he was
raised or identifies as Jewish (Corenswet was unavailable for an interview).
But still, Superman is a reflection of America. He’s also always been Jewish.
By that, I don’t mean that the guy from planet Krypton who was raised in
Kansas is Jewish. He’s canonically Christian, usually a nonpracticing
Protestant. I mean the character, in the real world, the one owned by DC
Comics (with whom CNN shares a parent company). That guy is Jewish.
As I explore in my book, Superman is the brainchild of two Jewish teenagers,

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the sons of immigrants from Eastern Europe. As
original as he was, he was cobbled together from a range of influences,
including pulp heroes Tarzan and John Carter, the sci-fi novels of Philip Wylie,
Popeye cartoons and Douglas Fairbanks movies. But he was also inspired by
Jewish figures of legend.
His Kryptonian birth name is Kal-El, “El” meaning God in Hebrew. His origin
story is that of Moses, a baby saved from doom in a small ark sent adrift, found
and raised by strangers, who grows to reclaim his heritage and become a
miracle-working savior.
As Siegel details in his unpublished memoir, he was also inspired by Samson,

the biblical judge with super strength, and the Golem of Prague, an
indestructible defender of the oppressed.
Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, borrowed from silent film actor Harold Lloyd
but was mostly autobiographical. Siegel and Shuster were both bespectacled,
geeky, awkward and painfully aware of their otherness. Superman was their
wish fulfilment, while Kent was their reality.
Today Superman is largely seen as a Christ metaphor, but in truth, these
themes were added later by other writers and artists. It’s by no means mutually
exclusive, but the OG Superman is Jewish.
Essentially, it’s the story of a refugee with a Hebraic name who came over from
the Old World and anglicized his name to Clark Kent. He’s an alien who can
only interact freely with human society through a disguise, which he can do
because he looks enough like the dominant population. He’s a Jew passing for
a gentile. And he wears his super-suit, the ethnic garb sent with him from
Krypton, under his clothes like a tallit, allowing him to change identities, both
personal and racial — to be within and apart from — at whim. He’s the ultimate
assimilation/assertion fantasy.
That’s partly why he still resonates: He reflects anyone who’s different, on the
outside.
Christopher Reeve as Superman, 1978. - Warner Bros/Everett Collection
In the comics, where Kent and Lane are married, their superpowered teenage
son Jon came out as bisexual in 2021. And since, at the time, he’d temporarily
taken over as Superman while his father was off-world, it generated headlines
about Superman being gay. Reaction was divided along the usual battle lines,
but the LGBTQ community enthusiastically embraced him.
A Black Superman film has also been in the works since 2021, written by Ta-
Nehisi Coates and produced by J.J. Abrams, though its status is unclear. As
with Jon Kent, it wouldn’t be the “real” Superman, but rather Val-Zod, the
Superman of an alternate dimension.
The original character is still White and straight, and likely forever will be. Which
circles back to the question, why is it noteworthy that the new actor playing him
is of Jewish heritage? To answer that question requires engaging a deeper one:
where Jewish identity fits in terms of race and ethnicity.
In 2017, when “Wonder Woman” came out, starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot, it
spurred a flurry of articles and op-eds debating whether Gadot was a person of
color. I was also born and raised in Israel, where I’d always thought of myself as
western, but not White.
In America, race is understood almost exclusively in terms of skin color. But

that’s a relatively modern, and American, understanding. Jewish identity is more
complex — a mix of racial, ethnic, religious and cultural facets. Even in the
Bible, the foundational narrative of Judaism, Jews are a people long before they
form a religion with the receipt of the Ten Commandments and Torah at Mount
Sinai.
Most American Jews are Ashkenazi, meaning from European decent, and the
US Census Bureau treats Jews as White. But the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) is currently considering a debate-provoking proposal to revamp
its race and ethnicity statistical standards, which would include a category for
Middle Eastern and North African (MENA), because many “do not share the
same lived experience as White people with European ancestry, do not identify
as White, and are not perceived as White by others.”
White-looking Ashkenazi Jews like me are about 65% of world Jewry (40% in
Israel). Over 30% in the world are Mizrahi, Jews with darker skin from the
Middle East and Northern Africa. Others are Sephardi, from Spain, Portugal and
other Mediterranean and Balkan countries. Others yet come from Ethiopia, East
Asia and elsewhere. American Jews also come from these varied backgrounds,
but are consistently underrepresented in the media. Some identify by another
race category in addition to or instead of their Jewishness.
Since I look White, and in the US I’m often considered White, I enjoy the
benefits of White privilege. Whatever obstacles I face in life, prejudice based on
my appearance isn’t one of them. But I’m also secular, so I don’t wear Jewish
signifiers like a yarmulke, and I don’t have curly hair or a big nose or some other
stereotyped feature. Friends who are more visibly Jewish have almost all
experienced antisemitic bigotry. So have I, at times when my Jewishness was
more evident.
We’re only White as long as we’re not obviously Jewish, at which point we’re
seen as something else and treated differently. Like Superman and Kent, we’re
both, but only one at a time.
All this just goes to show how superficial racial identity is. Scientifically, all of
humanity is one race. Skin colors and features are just matters of sunlight,
latitude and climate. But race does exist as a social construct, and historically,
Jews aren’t considered White. Certainly not in the 1930s, when Superman was
created, and definitely not in Europe.
Adolf Hitler famously said, “The Jews are undoubtedly a race, but they are not
human.” The Nazis murdered 6 million Jews based not on whether they
attended synagogue, but whether two or more of their grandparents were
Jewish. My grandmother was in a workcamp — a slave — for years, while her
baby sister hid in the woods and her older sister was killed. It had nothing to do
with their faith and everything to do with their race.
And yes, there is such a thing as Jewish DNA. Certain markers connect Jews
around the world, tracing back to the ancient Middle East.
Jews also feature prominently in many race-based conspiracy theories,

portrayed as infiltrators and subversives. The contemporary version is “The
Great Replacement” theory (remember the White nationalists in Charlottesville
chanting, “Jews will not replace us”?), by which Jews are non-Whites who
disguise themselves as Whites to replace real Whites with other non-Whites.
(The far left has its own version, just with the narrative reversed.)
Brosnahan, who isn’t Jewish, also faced the question of Jewish Whiteness
when she starred in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” In a 2021 podcast, comedian
Sarah Silverman accused her and other actors of “Jewface,” arguing that
positive Jewish roles are usually played by gentiles, while negative or
stereotypical Jewish roles — neurotic, quirky, intellectual — are typically cast
with Jews (Tony Shalhoub, who played Brosnahan’s father and also isn’t
Jewish, dismissed the idea of race-specific casting, but didn’t really address the
point Silverman was making).
I think there’s something to it, but Brosnahan’s livewire Midge Maisel might as
well be Lois Lane’s aunt, so it at least bodes well for the movie.
That Corenswet’s heritage is Jewish isn’t important to the movie itself, of

course. He looks the part, he can act and perhaps most importantly, there’s a
warmth to him that’s been missing from Superman’s big-screen portrayals for a
while now.
But it’s still recognized as meaningful, even outside the Jewish community.
Superman is a Jewish creation with Jewish influences and a metaphor for the
Jewish experience. That the actor playing him is partly Jewish is, in a way,
coming full circle.
Mazal tov, David.
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BY
ANDRÉ JOSEPH
Superman: Legacy director and DC Studios CEO James Gunn is teasing the
cast for the upcoming superhero film starring David Corenswet.
James Gunn is getting DC fans pumped for the cast he's assembled for
Superman: Legacy.
On his Instagram account, Gunn posted fan-made Golden Age Superman and
Lois Lane artwork by Argentinian illustrator Julian Totino Tedesco. In the
caption of the post, Gunn appeared to be excited about his yet-to-be-
announced cast for the upcoming DC Studios reboot. "Superman: Legacy
opens two years from today," Gunn wrote. "It may seem far away to many of
you, but it’s close to me! We have a lot to do between now and then. But I
haven’t been more excited about a project in forever… and this cast, slowly
coming together… holy cow…"
Gunn's post came just before an additional casting announcement for
Superman: Legacy. The announcement revealed that Nathan Fillion had been
cast as the Guy Gardner iteration of Green Lantern, while Isabela Merced and
Edi Gathegi were cast as Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific, respectively.
Lois and Clark's Legacy Casting

It was recently revealed that actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan
were the first actors added to the cast of Superman: Legacy in the respective
leading roles, Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. The two actors took part in
an extensive screen test process that paired off several contenders for Lois and
Clark, including actors Nicholas Hoult, Tom Brittney, Phoebe Dynevor and
Emma Mackey. In the end, it was Corenswet and Brosnahan's chemistry that
won over The Suicide Squad director.
One role that remains a mystery for Superman: Legacy is Lex Luthor. Industry
insiders have named actors such as Succession's Alexander Skarsgård and his
brother Bill Skarsgård of It fame as potential Lex Luthors on DC Studios'
shortlist. What will not be part of the film despite rumors about their involvement
in the story are members of the supergroup The Authority which Gunn
completely shot down. "I never said The Authority would be present," Gunn
said.
Superman: Legacy will be the first DC project under the newly branded DC
Studios under co-CEOs Gunn and Peter Safran. Additionally, the reboot will
kick off DC Studios' new slate called "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters" which
includes Andy Muschietti's Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman
of Tomorrow and James Mangold's Swamp Thing. Gunn is set to direct
Superman: Legacy from his script written before his naming as the new co-CEO
of DC Studios.
While details of Superman: Legacy's premise are under wraps, Gunn teased
that the reboot will not retell the Last Son of Krypton's origin story as previously
depicted in 1978's Superman: The Movie and 2013's Man of Steel. A press
release for the reboot states, "Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman’s
journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark
Kent of Smallville, KS. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American
way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-
fashioned."
Superman: Legacy opens in theaters on July 11, 2025.
Source: Instagram
The casting comes after James Gunn's Man of Steel movie added Isabela
Merced, Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion to the call sheet.
BY BORYS KIT
JULY 12, 2023
Anthony Carrigan will play the DC hero Metamorpho in 'Superman: Legacy'

LEON BENNETT/WIREIMAGE; COURTESY OF DC
After finding his Clark Kent and Lois Lane, James Gunn is moving furiously to
populate his Metropolis with a bevy of other DC heroes for Superman: Legacy.
Anthony Carrigan, fresh off an Emmy nomination for his standout work in HBO’s
Barry, has been cast as classic DC character Metamorpho, aka archeologist-
turned-hero Rex Mason. He joins the feature that will formally launch DC’s new
universe under filmmaker Gunn and his DC Studios co-boss Peter Safran.
Also on the call sheet are Isabela Merced, playing Hawkgirl; Edi Gathegi as
Mister Terrific; and Gunn stalwart Nathan Fillion as macho Green Lantern Guy
Gardner. Those castings were announced Tuesday.
The deals are being made in the shadow of a looming actors strike. A SAG-
AFTRA strike could commence as early as midnight PT July 12, and if that were
to happen, any negotiations between representatives and studios would stop
like a speeding bullet hitting the Man of Steel’s chest.
Gunn made some of his choices some time ago but was waiting to pull the
trigger on deals or reveals until after he found his Kent and Lane. Screen tests
for those roles were held only a few weeks ago, with David Corenswet (Pearl)
and Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) being announced as
nabbing the leads on June 27.
Legacy has a release date of July 11, 2025, and Gunn is still expecting to shoot
early next year. The filmmaker is directing and wrote the script, which
showcases a world already filled with a slew of superpowered heroes at the
time of Superman’s arrival.
Metamorpho, created by Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon in 1965, can

transmute elements in his body into various forms, taking those properties on as
powers. After first being an archeologist, his abilities set him on the path of
heroism. He later became a detective and a founding member of the
supergroup known as the Outsiders. The wonky look and abilities of the
character seem to reflect Gunn’s well-established love for off-center characters,
whom he finds unique ways to highlight and who go on to be scene-stealers or
emotional cores.
Carrigan played fan favorite NoHo Hank for the complete run of Barry, HBO’s
beloved dark comedy that has racked up over 50 Emmy nominations for its four
seasons, the last of which wrapped in May. Carrigan earned three Emmy
nominations in the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series category
over that time, as well as four SAG Award nominations.
In the movie space, the actor appeared opposite Kevin Hart in the 2021
comedic drama Fatherhood and with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter in 2020’s
Bill & Ted Face the Music. He will next be seen in Winter’s murder-mystery film
The Adults alongside Evan Rachel Wood and Josh Gad.
Carrigan is repped by CAA, Schlegel Entertainment and Goodman Genow.

BY
JACK O'NEILL
By focusing on the personal experiences used to create the caped hero,
Superman: Legacy will become a Jewish Allegory in one way or another.
After it was announced that Henry Cavill will no longer be playing the role of
Superman in James Gunn's revised DC Universe, there were a few names
circling on who might take over. The actor who came out on top was David
Corenswet, known for his roles in Hollywood and The Politician. It's not just that
he looks the part, Corenswet will be the first Jewish actor to play the Man of
Steel when Superman: Legacy comes out.
As well as Corenswet being perfect visually for the part, finally having an actor
from a Jewish background playing a character who was inspired so heavily by
Jewish folklore is a proud moment for the entire community. Casting a Jewish
actor for the role has certainly been a long time coming, paying homage to the
religious heritage of Superman that ultimately lead to the creation of the
character himself.
Superman's Jewish Heritage

Back in 1938, Superman debuted as the creation of two Canadian Jewish
teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The creator took inspiration from
Jewish legends and folklore, most notably from the Biblical prophet Samson,
who also had superhuman strength. Superman's real name, Kal-El, can also be
translated into Hebrew, meaning "Vessel of God" or "Voice of God." His origin
story is also a lot like that of Moses, with him being adopted by people who live
a different life after his home is collapsing.
Both Siegel and Shuster were both immigrants who escaped Eastern Europe,
which is another element of their experience that they implemented with
Superman's story, with him coming from Krypton to America. Superman himself
was created in the wake of Hitler's rise, to create a hero that defended the
weak. Due to the character's entire origin being based around Siegel's and
Shuster's experience with antisemitism, having a Jewish actor play the role is
the perfect way to honor the iconic hero's roots.
Although it's taken nearly a century for a Jewish actor to be cast for the role,
now that Corenswet has been cast it makes it no less of a proud moment for the
entire community. Whilst previous adaptations have all leaned into the heritage
of the character as there's no way you can't, having someone who comes from
the same religious background as the creators makes Superman: Legacy one
of the most important and progressive adaptations to date.
How Superman: Legacy Will Be a Jewish Allegory

While James Gunn hasn't been too vocal regarding the plot of the film, he has
revealed that Superman: Legacy will be centered around Superman's heritage,
exploring how "both his Kryptonian aristocratic parents and his Kansas farmer
parents influence who he is and the choices he makes."
By taking this direction, the film will undoubtedly be a Jewish allegory, as these
elements of Superman's life were so heavily influenced by the experiences of
his creators. By blending the most personal elements of his story with the
Jewish legends that make him the beacon of hope that he still is 90 years on,
this film has the utmost potential to honor all the defining aspects that make
Superman who he is.
Although a non-Jewish actor could have played this role just as well, most
recently with Henry Cavill who fans were gutted to see go after only one solo
film, Man of Steel. However, casting a Jewish actor to tell such personal stories
from two Jewish artists is a massive step forward in bringing the most authentic
version of Superman to the big screen. Upon release in 2025, this film will
become a defining moment in Jewish culture in modern media.
James Gunn's DCU Revamp

JameSuperman: Legacy will be the first installment since James Gunn took the
reins for the DCU (formerly known as the DCEU). The DCEU seemingly had a
plan to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has become the most
successful film franchise of all time. Throughout the DCEU's time, many fans
were unhappy with the way this universe was shaping out.
As soon as it was announced that James Gunn is taking control, the decision
was massively welcomed by fans across the world. After seeing massive
success with The Suicide Squad (2021) and the spin-off show Peacemaker,
there was a lot of confidence in the air that James Gunn could steer things in
the right direction for the future.
By choosing Superman: Legacy as the first film in the updated DCU, especially
after a massive recast for the caped protagonist, there's a lot of pressure riding
on the film. But by not doing another origin story and instead focusing on
elements of Superman's life that are crafted with the most personality from the
creators, this film has the chance to offer something unique, whilst paying
homage to the Jewish heritage that inspired Siegel and Shuster to create the
character in the first place.
Gunn has seen massive success with comic book films not only in DC but in the
MCU with the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. His unique, creative, innovative
style paired with the deep-rooted culture of Superman is a massively exciting
combination for Superman: Legacy's potential, not forgetting Corenswet's
proven ability to deliver wonderful acting performances. By being Jewish
himself, this role will not only be a career-defining moment for him, but a
standout moment in cinema for the Jewish community.
Superman: Legacy is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
Here's how their new heroes fit in to James Gunn and Peter Safran's reset of
the DC Universe
Superman Legacy Cast: Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will be
Mister Terrific and Nathan Fillion is a Green Lantern known as Guy Gardner.
Superman Legacy, the movie that will mark the live-action rebirth of the DC
Universe, has added three new actors to its cast, each of them playing a
superhero with a long history in the comic books. Isabela Merced will play
Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will be Mister Terrific and Nathan Fillion will portray a
Green Lantern (although not necessarily the Green Lantern.)
James Gunn, who wrote and will direct the 2025 movie, has already cast David
Corenswet (The Politician) as Clark Kent and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. When it starts shooting in January 2024, it will
set the course for the new DCU that the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker is
building in collaboration with fellow chair and CEO of DC Studios Peter Safran.
In an exclusive to Vanity Fair, DC Studios revealed the new additions: Merced,
best known for playing the besieged drug cartel daughter in Sicario: Day of the
Soldado and the ever-exploring title character in Dora and the Lost City of Gold,
will soar into the new universe as the winged warrior Hawkgirl. The hero's
favorite battle accessories are melee weapons—swords, spears, and maces—
and Merced's 5-foot-1 size will set her apart from the typical comic book
brawler.
Gathegi, who played the double-dealing vampire Laurent in the Twilight films
and the ever-evolving Darwin in X-Men: First Class, will take on the role of
Mister Terrific, a.k.a. Michael Holt, who is not only a skilled combatant but one
of the world's most brilliant inventors and tacticians, orbited by the floating T-
Sphere weapons he designed. Among his superpowers is his otherworldly
intellect. On the sleeve of his jacket is the phrase “Fair Play,” a tribute to the
catchphrase of an earlier version of the Mister Terrific character as well as a
statement of belief.
Finally, Fillion—a mainstay of Gunn's movies who starred in the director's first
movie, the 2006 horror-comedy Slither, and his most recent one, Marvel
Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, will join him again in Superman Legacy
as a Green Lantern named Guy Gardner.
Comic fans primarily think of two primary characters in relation to the Green
Lantern mantle. Hal Jordan was the original version of the comic book hero
(played by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 movie). The next iteration of the green
glowing protector was named John Stewart, notable when he was introduced in
the early ‘70s for being one of DC’s earliest and most prominent Black
superheroes. Gardner, the character Fillion will play in Superman Legacy, is
distinct from both of them for being somewhat less than heroic when he wears
the matter-manifesting ring that gives the Green Lantern his powers.
Among the rest of the aliens and humans who serve in that group of galactic
peacekeepers, Gardner is known as an abrasive, sometimes obnoxious
presence. The role also brings a dose of awkward comedy to Superman
Legacy. The character is known for his iconic bowl cut haircut, which will be a
part of Fillion's look in the film.
While there is also a Green Lantern TV series in the works as part of the
rebooted DCU, that one will focus on Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
Fillion previously played a DC character in Gunn's The Suicide Squad known as

T.D.K., or The Detachable Kid, whose powers consisted of the ability to
separate his limbs from his body and telekinetically launch them at his enemies.
T.D.K.—spoiler alert—didn't survive for very long in that movie. So there's no
danger of the actor's duel roles ever crossing paths.
That raises the enduring question of what DC movies and TV shows from the
past will end, and which will be woven into the new slate of storytelling. While
Superman Legacy is the first movie in the rejuvenated DCU, the first project in
the new universe will be an animated series for the Max streaming service
called Creature Commandos.
Some characters from Gunn's previous DC work on The Suicide Squad will be
grandfathered in to the new universe, such as Viola Davis' powerbroker
Amanda Waller, who is getting her own TV series, and John Cena's
Peacemaker, who was introduced in that movie and went on to star in his own
self-titled TV show. A second season of Peacemaker will be part of the new
DCU.
Gunn and Safran are selecting elements that will carry over, mostly based on
actors. For instance, Gunn has said that Cobra Kai actor Xolo Maridueña, who
stars in the upcoming Blue Beetle movie, will continue playing the character in
the new DCU, but that upcoming movie will stand on its own.
The new leadership of DC Studios has stated that their overall goal is
accessibility that allows viewers to go into any of the future movies and shows
without the need for deep binge-watching research. “The good news is, if you've
seen nothing that we've done before, you can watch Superman Legacy, you
can watch Creature Commandos, you can watch Peacemaker season two, and
you can watch Blue Beetle. All of that," Safran tells Vanity Fair. “We are trying to
minimize audience confusion and maximize their enjoyment.”
BY
TIMOTHY DONOHOO
Superman's best days are ahead of him, with Superman: Legacy being just one
part of the hero's increased popularity in movies, TV shows and comics.
Superman is about to be bigger in pop culture than he has been for years, and
it's partly thanks to Superman: Legacy. The upcoming Superman movie will not
only begin the rebooted DC Universe films but also give fans a newer yet more
traditional cinematic take on the hero. That's not the only area where the Man of
Steel is soon to fly higher than ever, with other mediums also doing the
character justice.
Comic books, cartoons and live-action TV shows are also a place where
Superman is shining like never before, creating a veritable renaissance for the
hero. After decades of feeling like a distant second place compared to Batman,
it seems that Superman is finally set to be DC's top priority again. Here's how
the best is yet to come concerning the Last Son of Krypton.
Superman's Next Movie Will Redefine Him for a Generation
Superman: Legacy stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan.
Superman: Legacy doesn't come out until 2025, but it already has many fans
and audiences excited to see how it handles the character and his mythos. The
response to the movie's casting for Superman and Lois Lane has been well-
received, which has helped to make the controversy of jettisoning Henry Cavill's
Superman and the DC Extended Universe die down significantly. As mentioned,
the movie will serve as the starting point for the new DCU, and it's clear that DC
Studios creative lead and the movie's director James Gunn understands the
importance of making Superman the core of it all. Without using Superman to
create a strong foundation for the shared movie universe, it will likely suffer the
same fate as its predecessor.
For as much as the movie may be disappointing at the box office, it's inarguable
that one of the most well-received elements of The Flash is Sasha Calle's
version of Supergirl. This has seen many people call for Calle to reprise the role
in the DC Universe, and it's helped to add to the Superman mythos and brand
amid the lack of a true solo Superman movie in exactly 10 years. This will
hopefully segue into the growing hype for Superman: Legacy, which has the
chance to make an entire generation fall in love with the character. It can also
cement him as the top dog of DC in a way that hasn't been seen for several
years.
Superman's Comic Book Line Is Better Than Ever
A split image of Lex Luthor in a prison jumpsuit and Superman over Metropolis
Comic books are the medium that birthed Superman, so it only makes sense
that they would also be enjoying this veritable rebirth of the character's
popularity. The current Dawn of DC era has numerous Superman titles, many of
which are some of the best that the character and his extensive family have had
in years. Not only is the monthly Superman title from Joshua Williamson
redefining and rebuilding his underrated rogues' gallery, but it's also making his
entire world feel more fleshed out and epic in the process. The 1990s are alive
again via books centered around both the Conner Kent Superboy and
Superman's inventor ally John Henry Irons aka Steel, who aims to make big
changes to Metropolis in order to better protect it.
Power Girl is back to being a central part of the Superman Family, all while the
Man of Steel's earlier days are being explored via World's Finest -- a title which
is easily one of the best things published by DC in years. The book's success
and popularity is seeing it become a veritable mini-line of its own, with a future
spinoff exploring the classic Teen Titans. It helps that the book is written by
Mark Waid, who's one of Superman's most well-received writers and biggest
fans. Waid's return to DC Comics after years of being away from the company
will even see him write a Black Label title centered around Lex Luthor, with the
writer's love of Superman and his world spilling over into the quality of his work.
If the trend continues and Superman's comics remain at this high quality, he
could easily retake the crown of DC Comics from Batman -- something which
hasn't happened since arguably 1986.
Superman Is Excelling on Television - Both in Live-Action and Animation
My Adventures With Superman key art with Superman and Lois.
If all of this wasn't enough, there's about to be a good level of Superman

content hitting the small screen. For one, The CW series Superman & Lois has
been renewed for a fourth season amid a slew of changes and cancelations at
the network. This shows just how popular and beloved it's become, as it's easily
the best live-action superhero series at the moment. It's also one of the last
vestiges of the now defunct Arrowvwerse, even though it's not actually a part of
it.
A version of Superman played by Tyler Hoechlin debuted on the Arrowverse

series Supergirl, which is what Superman & Lois originally seemed to spin off
from. The series has been an excellent mix of the recent comics (in which
Superman is a father), the character's wholesome iconography, the grittiness of
the DCEU Superman and the heartwarming, sentimental drama of Smallville.
It's in many ways the definitive live-action Superman TV series, and it's hard to
see it being topped anytime soon.
On the animated front, Superman is also getting his first solo cartoon in
decades. My Adventures with Superman reimagines the Man of Steel through
an anime filter, with the series looking quite a bit like the most popular shonen
anime of the day. Given how massively popular manga and anime are, this
could be an even bigger boon in terms of increasing the character's reach to the
next generation. If the series is a hit, it could particularly lead to a sort of
crossover appeal with Legacy when it comes out.
It helps that the series has so far gotten great reviews from several outlets, with
another combination of humanity and epic battles making the cartoon a must-
watch. It now seems that the best Superman adaptations are consistently
nailing these aspects of the character, which is what's needed after decades of
his being seen as "unrelatable." By the time the hero's movie reboot hits the big
screen, that reputation may be erased entirely, as there are simply too many
good projects featuring Superman at this point to not like the Man of Tomorrow.
Superman: Legacy hits theaters on July 11, 2025.
By Edward Gross
JUNE 30, 2023
Beth Mickle is a highly accomplished production designer known for her

exceptional work in the film industry. With her meticulous attention to detail,
innovative vision, and ability to create immersive and visually striking
environments, she has established herself as one of the most talented and
sought-after professionals in her field. Throughout her career, Mickle has
collaborated with renowned directors and contributed to the creation of
numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
Although specific details about Beth Mickle’s personal life and early years are
limited, her professional journey and accomplishments in the film industry speak
volumes about her talent and dedication. She likely developed a passion for art
and design at a young age, which eventually led her to pursue a career in the
creative field.
Transamerica, From Left: Felicity Huffman, Kevin Zegers, 2005. ©ifc

Films/courtesy Everett Collectio
Mickle’s breakthrough in the film industry came when she worked as the art
director on the independent film Transamerica in 2005. Her work on the film
received critical acclaim, and it marked the beginning of her collaborations with
notable directors. Following this success, Mickle continued to gain recognition
for her exceptional skills and unique artistic sensibilities.
One of Mickle’s notable collaborations was with director David Gordon Green
on the film Joe in 2013. Her work as the production designer on this gritty
drama, starring Nicolas Cage, showcased her ability to create a vivid and
authentic world that perfectly complemented the story and characters. The film
received widespread praise for its realistic portrayal of rural America.
Drive, From Left: Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, 2011. Ph: Richard Foreman
Jr/©filmdistric/courtesy E
Mickle’s talent for capturing the essence of different time periods and settings
became evident in her work on the critically acclaimed film Drive in 2011. As the
production designer, she skillfully crafted a distinct visual style for the film,
combining elements of neo-noir and retro aesthetics to create a mesmerizing
and atmospheric experience.
In 2014, Mickle collaborated with director Jonathan Demme on the film Ricki
and the Flash, starring Meryl Streep. Through her work as the production
designer, she effectively captured the vibrant and eclectic world of the film’s
rock-and-roll setting. Mickle’s creative choices enhanced the authenticity of the
story, contributing to the overall success of the film.
Another significant milestone in Mickle’s career was her work on the critically
acclaimed film Only God Forgives” in 2013, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
Her visually stunning production design, characterized by its bold use of color,
symbolic imagery, and meticulous attention to detail, perfectly complemented
Refn’s unique directorial style. Mickle’s contribution played a crucial role in
creating the atmospheric and ethereal world of the film, earning her further
acclaim and recognition.
Only God Forgives, Kristin Scott Thomas, 2013, ©radius Twc/courtesy Everett
Collection
In addition to her work in film, Mickle has also showcased her talent in the
television industry. She worked as the production designer on the critically
acclaimed series True Detective in 2014, contributing to the show’s immersive
and evocative visual style.
She moved on to larger than life productions, beginning with reshoots on the
MCU’s Captain Marvel (2019), and went on from there, collaborating with
Superman: Legacy writer/director James Gunn with The Suicide Squad (2021)
and, most recently, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 (2023), in between working
on the 2021 adaptation of the Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen. Prior to
taking on the Man of Steel, she served as production designer of Francis Ford
Coppola’s Megalopolis.
The Suicide Squad (courtesy Everett Collection)
In an interview, Mickle explains that she was encouraged by Gunn to put her
own creative spin on the world of GOTG. “I took him at face value [with the
advice], and decided to swing for the fences and make some bold chances. I
felt confident with that, only because James had really instilled that confidence,
so then it was just walking a balance between making sure we were fulfilling the
great visuals that came before us, but then also making sure that we made it
our own.
“With a background firmly rooted in modestly budgeted independent film, I was

incredibly surprised when director James Gunn hired me to design Guardians of
the Galaxy 3. I was advised to try to design in a way that would warrant at least
some of the set to be physically built. Time and time again we hear how
disorienting it is for actors and the crew to work in an entirely green or blue-
screen environment, and I genuinely believe that disorientation comes across
on film.”
Look for Superman: Legacy on July 11, 2025.

BY
NICOLAS AYALA
David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan's Superman: Legacy casting breaks a

record involving Clark Kent and Lois Lane's physical appearances.
David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan's casting as Clark Kent and Lois Lane
in Superman: Legacy breaks a record held by previous iterations of the DC
couple. Anticipation for Superman: Legacy rises as the DCEU comes to an end
and the beginning of the new DC Universe approaches. Before any details
about the plot are revealed, the Superman: Legacy cast starts to take shape
with the reveal of its first two main actors.
Naturally, the first two characters to be cast in James Gunn's Superman:

Legacy are Clark Kent and Lois Lane, who will be portrayed by The Politician
actor David Corenswet and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan.
Both actors bear an uncanny resemblance to many of DC Comics' depictions of
the characters, but they also bring their own distinct physical characteristics.
More specifically, the new Superman and Lois Lane's heights mark a DC first.
David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan Have The Biggest Height Difference
Of All Superman & Lois Lane Actors
Superman Legacy Actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan
There's more than one whole foot of difference between Superman: Legacy's
Clark Kent and Lois Lane. At 6'4" (1.93m), David Corenswet joins Christopher
Reeve as the two tallest actors to play Superman in live-action. On the other
hand, Rachel Brosnahan is the shortest actor to play Lois Lane at 5'3" (1.60),
making it a 13-inch height difference between the DC Universe's Superman and
Lois Lane. Usually, Hollywood movies and shows even out actors' heights with
the help of special shoes or camera and perspective tricks in order to fit them
into frame comfortably, so it will be interesting to see how Superman: Legacy
handles such a considerable height difference.
How Tall David Corenswet & Rachel Brosnahan Are Compared To All
Superman & Lois Actors
David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan vs Other Superman & Lois Actors
Apart from the height difference between David Corenswet and Rachel
Brosnahan, the DC Universe's new Superman also breaks a long-lasting height
pattern. Every major live-action Superman actor since 6'4" Christopher Reeve
— except for Lois & Clark's Dean Cain — had been shorter than the previous
one, with the shortest being Cain at 5'11.5" (1.81m) and Superman & Lois' Tyler
Hoechlin at 5'11.7" (1.83). See all the Superman and Lois Lane actor heights
below, ranked from tallest to shortest:
Curiously, all Superman and all Lois Lane actors fall within a 5-inch range.
Although the height difference between David Corenswet and Rachel
Brosnahan will highlight Corenswet's impressive stature, Brosnahan isn't too far
off from previous Lois Lane actors Amy Adams and Kate Bosworth. However,
she is five inches shorter than the tallest Lois Lane, Margot Kidder, who had a
height difference of approximately seven inches with quintessential Superman
actor Christopher Reeve, almost half of the difference between Corenswet and
Brosnahan's heights. With David Corenswet's towering height and the
superhero-level training he may begin before Superman: Legacy's release date,
he could easily become the most physically imposing live-action Superman in
DC history.
:
:
BY
FELIPE RANGEL
James Gunn has found his new Clark Kent in David Corenswet, and the star's
age in comparison to Henry Cavill's explains Superman: Legacy's direction.
The difference in age between new Superman actor David Corenswet and
DCEU star Henry Cavill explains the direction Superman: Legacy is headed in.
Cavill went through a rough patch in the role in the old DCEU, with the actor
only getting one solo movie in the role, and last playing Superman in 2017's
Justice League before returning for a cameo role in 2022, appearing in Black
Adam's post-credits scene. The moment was meant to start a new age for Cavill
in the role, with the actor taking to social media to celebrate his Superman
return. However, a few months after Cavill's return, James Gunn announced
that the actor was out.
Gunn and Peter Safran assumed the role of DC Studios co-CEOs, with the duo
rebooting the old DCEU with their DC Universe. Cavill was not asked to return
as Clark Kent due to the hero's reboot movie, Superman: Legacy, focusing on a
younger Superman. After a lengthy casting process, three actors were brought
in to screen test for the coveted lead role of Clark Kent. Corenswet emerged as
the new Superman actor for Superman: Legacy. The actor had been the fan-
favorite choice for the role over the last couple of years, even before Cavill left,
and the difference between the actors' ages reveals an essential detail about
Superman: Legacy's approach.
How Old Is New Superman Actor David Corenswet?
Montage of David Corenswet as Superman with the Superman shield behind

him.
Corenswet is 29 years old at the time of his casting in Superman: Legacy. The
actor's birthday is on July 8, which means he is close to being 30. That will be
his age when shooting Superman: Legacy. If it all goes to plan, Superman:
Legacy's filming start will be on January 2024. After filming wraps, Corenswet
will turn 31, but that will not be the actor's age when the movie premieres. By
the time Superman: Legacy comes out, Corenswet will be 32, as the actor's
birthday will come three days before Superman: Legacy's July 11, 2025,
release date, which will lead to a pretty eventful week in Corenswet's life.
How Old Henry Cavill Was When He Was Cast As Superman

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel
Cavill was younger than Corenswet when he was cast as Superman for Zack
Snyder's Man of Steel. Cavill was 27 years old when he was cast as Superman
back in January 2011. With the actor's birthday being on May 5, Cavill was 28
by the time Man of Steel started shooting that August. The actor has appeared
in three DCEU movies as Superman since then. While shooting 2016's Batman
v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Cavill was younger than Superman: Legacy's
new Clark Kent actor Corenswet will be when the movie releases in theaters.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's principal photography began on May
19, 2014, with Cavill at 31.
The actor's next time as Superman was in 2017's Justice League. The movie
started shooting on April 2016, making Cavill 32 at the time. This means that
Cavill had three movies as Superman under his belt at the age that Corenswet
will be when he is seen in theaters leading Superman: Legacy. While the actor
appears in 2021's Zack Snyder's Justice League, Cavill did not return to film
new scenes as Superman for the movie. Cavill's last time filming for Superman
was for Black Adam. Cavill was a late inclusion to the movie, with his Superman
cameo being shot in September 2022, a month before it debuted, when Cavill
was 39.
What Superman: Legacy's Younger Clark Kent Means For The Story
Superman Legacy David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Clark and Lois
Soon turning 30, Corenswet will be 10 years younger than Cavill when he starts
shooting Superman: Legacy. While Cavill became Superman a couple of years
younger than Corenswet, the DC Universe's expansive scope of having the
same actors play their roles in movies, TV shows, animation, and video games
guarantees that Corenswet will surpass Cavill's five Superman appearances in
no time. Corenswet's age, in comparison to Cavill's, perfectly explains what
Gunn is looking for in his reboot of the Man of Steel for the DC Universe.
Corenswet is not only younger than Cavill, but at 29, he is younger than
Superman: Legacy runner-ups Tom Brittney, 32, and Nicholas Hoult, 33.
Gunn ended up going with the youngest actor of the final three that screen
tested for the Clark Kent role in Superman: Legacy, with Corenswet even being
younger than Lois Lane actress Rachel Brosnahan, who is 32. Corenswet's age
perfectly lines up with the details that have been revealed from the upcoming
movie. Superman: Legacy features a younger take on Clark Kent, with the
character starting out as a reporter at the Daily Planet, learning the ropes from a
more experienced Lois Lane.
The DC Universe will introduce a world where superheroes already exist in

Superman: Legacy, with Corenswet's Clark Kent early in his Superman career
providing a nice point of view for the audience as the DCU starts. Based on
that, it makes sense why Gunn chose not to bring back Cavill, with Corenswet,
at 29, being the perfect new actor to lead Superman: Legacy and the next
decade of DC Universe projects.
Key Release Dates
BY
SEVERINA CHU
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actress Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane in
James Gunn's highly-anticipated Superman reboot, Superman: Legacy.
Rachel Brosnahan cast as DCU's Lois Lane

The new DC universe has found its Lois Lane with Rachel Brosnahan’s official
Superman: Legacy casting. The film was confirmed in January 2023 as the first
entry in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC revamp, opening the DCU’s first
phase, “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” With director Gunn wanting the film
to star a younger Clark Kent, the recasting of Superman and Lois Lane was a
hot topic for many leading up to the official announcement.
After months of rumors, Gunn confirmed on Twitter that Brosnahan had been
cast as Lois Lane alongside David Corenswet as Superman. Brosnahan had
previously been one of the rumored frontrunners for the role, with the actress
even reacting to the Lois Lane rumor on The View in May 2023. Her casting
brings plenty of promise to the new DCU with Emmy-award-winning actress
proving herself to be more than capable of carrying the female lead.
Rachel Brosnahan Movies & TV Shows
Rachel Brosnahan is most well-known for her role as Miriam Maisel in the
period comedy-drama The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Playing a New York
housewife who discovers her passion for stand-up comedy, Brosnahan carried
the show as its lead for five seasons. She won two Golden Globes for Best
Television Actress in a Musical/Comedy Series and an Emmy for Outstanding
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in her role.
Before The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Brosnahan had a recurring role in House of
Cards as Rachel Posner, a former prostitute who was in a relationship with
Doug Stamper. She made minor cameos in shows like Grey's Anatomy and
Orange Is the New Black and also had a starring role in Manhattan. In terms of
film experience, Brosnahan has starred in The Courier with Benedict
Cumberbatch and Dead for a Dollar with Christoph Waltz and Willem Dafoe.
With The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel recently coming to an end and only one other
film project lined up for her, this frees up plenty of time for Brosnahan’s
commitment to the DCU.
How Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Prepared Rachel Brosnahan For Lois Lane
In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Brosnahan played a comedic yet dramatic role.
Discovering her natural talent for stand-up comedy after a divorce from her
husband, the show follows comedienne Miriam “Midge” Maisel as she navigates
a career in a new industry. The five seasons of the show demonstrated
Brosnahan’s innate comedic talent but also her dramatic acting in the show’s
more emotional storylines.
Brosnahan’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel experience perfectly aligns with Gunn’s

new vision for Superman in the DCU. Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent had a more
brooding tone to him, and Gunn stated before that he wants Superman: Legacy
to be a more light-hearted take on the classic hero. Though it’s not like the film
will be a comedy, Brosnahan’s comedic timing can bring an upbeat energy to
her interpretation of Lois Lane. She has proven her ability to lead a show, so
carrying the female lead of a blockbuster superhero movie should be no
problem for Brosnahan.
What Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane Casting Means For Superman: Legacy
Among all of the rumored frontrunners for Lois Lane, Brosnahan was notably
the oldest of the candidates. With Gunn wanting Superman: Legacy to focus on
a younger Clark Kent, some saw this as a reason not to cast her. However,
Brosnahan is 32, only 3 years older than her co-star Corenswet. The two still fit
the image of a younger Clark Kent and Lois Lane, especially since Henry Cavill
and Amy Adams were in their late 30s and early 40s when playing the duo in
the DCEU. The age gap should be no issue either, considering how Adams and
Margot Kidder were both older than their Clark Kent co-stars.
Every Actress Who Played Lois Lane In Live-Action
The official casting of Lois Lane was highly anticipated, and many will be
pleased to see a talented actress like Rachel Brosnahan in the role. Brosnahan
has proven her ability to act in both comedies and dramas, bringing the energy
that director James Gunn will want in his reboot. She is capable of carrying the
role of a female lead, and while Brosnahan’s debut as Lois Lane won’t be until
Superman Legacy’s 2025 release, fans can rest assured that the character is in
good hands.
Voices From Kryton
David Corenswet: Get to Know the Next Actor to Be Superman
By Edward Gross
JUNE 28, 2023
David Corenswet, announced by James Gunn and Peter Safran as the next
actor to portray Superman in life action, is known for his versatile performances
across film, television, and theater. He was born on July 8, 1993, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a creative household. Corenswet
developed a passion for acting from an early age and pursued his dreams by
immersing himself in various theater productions during his school years.
After completing high school, Corenswet enrolled at the prestigious Juilliard

School in New York City to refine his acting skills. During his time at Juilliard, he
honed his craft and gained a solid foundation in classical theater, contemporary
drama, and screen acting techniques. He graduated from Juilliard’s Drama
Division in 2016 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Following his graduation, he began his professional acting career, initially
appearing in theater productions Off-Broadway. He showcased his talent in
notable plays such as Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, earning critical acclaim
for his performances. His stage work allowed him to demonstrate his versatility
as an actor and cemented his reputation as a promising talent in the theater
industry.
In 2017, Corenswet made his onscreen debut in the television series

Elementary, where he portrayed a guest character. However, his breakthrough
role came in 2019 when he was cast in the highly popular Netflix series The
Politician. Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, the show
follows the political ambitions of a wealthy high school student. Corenswet
played the role of River Barkley, a charismatic student and love interest to the
show’s protagonist. His portrayal garnered attention for his magnetic presence
on screen and his ability to bring depth and vulnerability to his character.
Corenswet’s performance in The Politician opened doors for him in the film
industry as well. In 2020, he starred in the Netflix movie The Boys in the Band,
based on the 1968 play of the same name. The film featured a star-studded
cast and earned critical acclaim for its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes and its
powerful performances.
Continuing his collaboration with Ryan Murphy, he appeared in the highly

anticipated Netflix series Hollywood in 2020. The show delves into the Golden
Age of Hollywood and explores the struggles and ambitions of aspiring actors in
the industry. Corenswet played the lead role of Jack Castello, a World War II
veteran trying to make it big in Hollywood. Said the Sioux City Journal of the
actor, “While Corenswet’s Cornwell is written fairly straightforward, the actor
gives him enough hesitation to make him seem more than just another
handsome face. He does a screen test that’s remarkable and a set reaction
that’s unforgettable.”
Some critics commented on the fact that Hollywood‘s cast was too racially
diversified to reflect reality, to which Corenswet himself reflected to the Daily
News, “It’s a delicate thing, the choice to do a rewrite of history and do historical
fiction. It’s important that we acknowledge and face the harsh realities of the
time … but there’s value to having an optimistic story, to putting an optimistic
spin on even the darkest time.”
Outside of his screen work, Corenswet remains connected to his theater roots.
He has participated in readings and workshops of new plays, showcasing his
dedication to the craft and his commitment to storytelling in various mediums.
With his captivating performances and undeniable talent, David Corenswet has
quickly become a rising star in the entertainment industry. His ability to embody
a wide range of characters, coupled with his charismatic screen presence, has
endeared him to audiences and critics alike and as he takes on the mantle of
Superman, he is poised to leave an indelible mark on the world.
BY
MARGARET LOCKYER
David Corenswet has been cast as Clark Kent in James Gunn's upcoming
Superman: Legacy. Here's what Man of Steel fans need to know about the
actor.
David Corenswet Superman Legacy
James Gunn joined DC and promised a new slate of heroes and a mostly fresh
start for the universe that has thus far failed to match the success of the
competing MCU. Ever since, there has been fan speculation about casting. One
of the most speculated and debated casting was for the lead role as the titular
hero of Superman: Legacy. Part of the discussion revolving this speculation was
a return to the long held believe that the previous Superman actor Henry Cavill
did an excellent job portraying the hero, but the movie's in which he appeared
didn't live up to his potential.
The speculation about whom the new actor would be to replace Cavill came to a
halt when it was announced on June 27th that David Corenswet has been cast
as Clark Kent/Superman. While there are some who recognize the actor, prior
to this announcement he was not a household name. Here's everything you
need to know about the actor.
Who is David Corenswet?
Philadelphia native David Corenswet began his acting career in the theater as a
child. As he transitioned from stage to screen, he expanded his skills and
became a screenwriter as well as an actor, producing, writing and co-starring in
the sketch comedy series Moe & Jerryweather. After guest spots on the CBS
crime dramas Elementary and Instinct, he landed a role as Reed in the
penultimate episode of Netflix's political thriller House of Cards.
Corenswet returned to Netflix for recurring roles on Ryan Murphy's series The
Politician and Hollywood ,as well as a supporting part in the romantic comedy
Look Both Ways. In 2022, he pivoted in the opposite direction with more serious
fare, playing The Projectionist in the horror film Pearl, a prequel to the cult hit X.
He also appeared as David MacDougall in four episodes of HBO's police
corruption miniseries We Own This City, alongside the late Treat Williams.
What Audiences Know So Far About Superman: Legacy

The first film in "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters" of James Gunn's new DCU,
Superman: Legacy is going to differentiate itself from Man of Steel by avoiding
Superman's origin story. Instead, David Corenswet's version of Superman will
learn to balance his Kryptonian heritage with his humanity and upbringing.
Gunn has spoken about how Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman has
influenced the upcoming film, while Superman: Legacy will introduce The
Authority ahead of their own movie project.
The biggest casting news has been that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star and
Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Brosnahan will star opposite Corenswet as
Lois Lane. Brosnahan and Corenswet have never worked together before, but
they do have a connection; she also appeared on House of Cards, playing
Rachel Posner in the first three seasons. With Lois and Clark cast, Gunn is now
moving on to find Superman: Legacy's Lex Luthor, with Succession and True
Blood star Alexander Skarsgård one of the names on his shortlist.
UPDATED 18 MINUTES AGO
David Corenswet has officially been cast as Clark Kent in the DCU’s Superman:
Legacy, leading many to wonder about his career up to this point.
David Corenswet has officially been cast as Clark Kent in James Gunn's
Superman: Legacy, leading many to wonder about his prior acting experience
and the primary reasons why he was cast as the DCU's talisman. Since
Superman: Legacy was officially announced in January 2023, the topic of who
will play the titular role has been hotly debated. This was only fueled by DCEU
fans who wished for Henry Cavill to remain in the role, despite Gunn's
insistence on a new, younger take on the character of Superman.
Since announcing Superman: Legacy as the official beginning of the DCU's first
phase - "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters" - Gunn has been hard at work
finalizing the script he wrote for the film. This is all ahead of a planned January
2024 filming date, with Gunn finally casting Corenswet as his Superman
alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane after an extensive casting period.
With that being said, here is everything needed to know about David
Corenswet, James Gunn's DCU figurehead in Superman: Legacy.
Corenswet has been in some high-profile projects, but the actor is also not quite
a big name in Hollywood yet, which makes him a great pick to play Superman,
much like with previous Clark Kent actors. Corenswet's first major acting credit
was in Ryan Murphy's The Politician. The series saw him play the role of River
Barkley, a tragic young student who takes his own life amid a battle with
personal expectations and the social pressure of being seen by his whole
school as the perfect guy. Corenswet has some really heartfelt dialogues in The
Politician that show how well he will play Superman's inspiring attitude.
Corenswet would work with Murphy and Netflix again in the award-winning
Hollywood, a limited series that saw the now-Superman actor star as Jack
Castello, an aspiring actor climbing up the ranks of the movie industry. The role
showed Corenswet's leading man ability, providing an excellent display of his
charisma as an actor, a crucial aspect of Superman. Corenswet's next TV role
was in HBO's limited series We Own This City, a crime drama show about
corruption in the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force.
Corenswet played a different role from what he is used to, giving life to David
McDougall, a veteran investigator.
While Corenswet's biggest roles have been in the TV realm, the actor has
appeared in two movies that help show the range of his acting ability. Netflix's
Look Both Ways is a rom-com with Corenswet displaying the full range of his
charm opposite Riverdale's Lili Reinhart. Corenswet would then move over to a
new genre for the actor, with a trip to the horror realm in director Ti West's
Pearl. Corenswet played the projectionist in Pearl, serving as the love interest to
Mia Goth's serial killer main character.
Why David Corenswet Was Cast As Superman
David Corenswet as River in a scene from the Netflix series The Politician.
Corenswet's acting credits show that the actor has the leading man ability that
is necessary to play such a big role as the Man of Steel, especially since
Superman: Legacy will be the first movie released in Gunn and Peter Safran's
DC Universe. Corenswet has the charisma to play the hero, and his past roles
show he has the ability to bring Superman's hopeful nature to life. In fact, in
2019, Corenswet himself said to Entertainment Weekly that he would love to
play Superman during an interview for the aforementioned The Politician.
The actor also showed in the interview that he understands what the character
is all about, saying he "would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback
[take on Superman]," which fits Gunn's approach to Superman: Legacy.
Corenswet went on to say: "I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I
would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.” This fits
everything that Gunn has been aiming for in writing Superman: Legacy, proving
above all why he got the role: his vision matches the directors. Corenswet is
now able to fulfill his wish, helping to bring a younger, more optimistic
Superman to life in Superman: Legacy when the film hits theaters in 2025.
David Corenswet Was A Longtime Superman Fancast Due To Henry Cavill

Similarities
Another reason why Corenswet may have received the role of Clark
Kent/Superman is the long-standing push for him to do so by those wishing for
a new take on the character. Since it was announced that Cavill would not be
returning as the Man of Steel, Corenswet's name was almost immediately
brought up whenever the topic of Superman casting arose. This is partly due to
his similarities to Henry Cavill, with Corenswet looking like a younger version of
the British actor who previously played the role.
While this likely did not affect Gunn’s casting process too much, there is no
denying that a character as iconic as Superman needs to have a certain
physical appearance. Unlike the many other masked superheroes of the DC
Universe, Superman’s face is in full view whenever he is in action. As such, the
chiseled face and curly black hair of iconic actors like Christopher Reeve, Henry
Cavill, and now David Corenswet perfectly fit the DC Comics character. As it
turns out, Corenswet’s acting abilities match his close physical appearance to
the character, with Gunn choosing him among many impressive candidates to
bring the son of Krypton to life in Superman: Legacy.
June 27, 2023
James Gunn has cast David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in the roles of
Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane for the upcoming film “Superman: Legacy”.
As we reported yesterday, in-person auditions for “Superman: Legacy” took

place across the weekend of June 17-18, with James Gunn and co-CEO of DC
Studios, Peter Safran meeting with actors hoping to win the roles of Clark
Kent/Superman and Lois Lane.
The three actors who tested for Superman/Clark Kent were Nicholas Hoult,
David Corenswet and Tom Brittney, while Emma Mackey, Rachel Brosnahan
and Phoebe Dynevor were said to have tested for Lois Lane.
Today, The Hollywood Reporter published an article revealing that Corenswet

and Brosnahan had successfully won the respective roles, with James Gunn
confirming the news on Twitter stating, “Accurate! (They are not only both
incredible actors, but also wonderful people).”
Corenswet appeared in Ryan Murphy series The Politician, and then starred in
the Netflix series Hollywood. His other credits include We Own This City, Pearl,
Lady in the Lake and Twister sequel, Twisters.
Brosnahan is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner for the series The Marvelous
Mrs. Maisel.
Filming is said to begin in early 2024, with “Superman: Legacy” scheduled to be

released in theaters on July 11, 2025.
HOME
FILM
CASTING
‘Superman: Legacy’: James Gunn Taps David Corenswet And Rachel
Brosnahan To Play Clark Kent And Lois Lane In DC Studios Film
By Justin Kroll
Justin Kroll
Senior Film Reporter
@krolljvar
Following months of audition tapes and in-person screen tests, Warner Bros
and DC Studios have their new Clark Kent and Lois Lane. David Corenswet has
been set to play Superman while Rachel Brosnahan are on board to play Lois
Lane in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy.
The decision comes after the two were among the few selected to test in front of
DC co-chairs Peter Safran and Gunn (who is directing) in full costume and
makeup for the parts.
The tests took place over two days with the men; one of the days saw the three
actors in full Superman attire. Sources close to the situation said that each actor
had closed test deals that would expire after two business weeks, so clearly all
parties wanted this sorted out before a potential SAG-AFTRA strike, which
could go into effect at midnight June 30.
Warner Bros has yet to say whether it will be attending next month’s Comic-Con
in San Diego, so there is still a chance the two could be introduced at the
studio’s Hall H panel. That said, if there is a SAG-AFTRA strike, Corenswet and
Brosnahan could not attend as strike guidelines state no actors can promote
any projects during a strike.
The Superman: Legacy casting process has gone on for months, with Safran
and Gunn wanting a thorough search to find the new leads for this new
franchise. With the two roles now locked up, Gunn will now look to fill the shoes
of Superman’s arch-nemesis Lex Luthor as well as other supporting characters
like Kent’s friend Jimmy Olsen.
Gunn (the Guardian of the Galaxy films, The Suicide Squad, the original Max
series Peacemaker) is directing from his screenplay based on the DC
characters. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is
being produced by Safran (Aquaman, the upcoming Aquaman 2, The Conjuring
franchise).
Superman: Legacy has been set for a worldwide release on July 11, 2025.
The project was announced earlier this year when Gunn and Safran laid out
their plan for the first phase of this revamped slate and Superman: Legacy was
front and center as the project that would help launch this strategy. That
presentation also included plans for a new Batman pic, Batman: The Brave and
the Bold, which recently tapped Andy Muschietti to direct; and The Authority.
For Corenswet, the film will mark his first major leading role in a major studio
film having previously appeared in projects like Pearl, The Politician and We
Own This City. From the start, his name has floated to the top and, following
that final audition, sealed the deal on the biggest role of his career so far.
Brosnahan is coming off the final season of her career-making role in Amazon’s
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which has earned a number of accolades including
an Emmy win. She also has been at the top of the list of woman to play Lois
Lane following what many have described as the best audition of the process.
Corenswet is repped by CAA, Untitled and Jackoway Tyerman. Brosnahan is

repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
DC Studios has knighted a new Clark Kent and Lois Lane. David Corenswet
and Rachel Brosnahan will play the coveted parts in James Gunn’s “Superman:
Legacy.”
The latest on-screen iteration of the iconic comic book hero will largely be a
workplace origin story, Gunn said when he and fellow DC steward Peter Safran
laid out their narrative plans in January. Corenswet, who broke out in Ryan
Murphy’s Netflix series “Hollywood,” will play cub reporter Kent at the fictional
newspaper The Daily Planet. Brosnahan will be his coworker and co-lead.
Gunn is directing the project from his own screenplay, based on the character
created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Safran (“Aquaman,” the upcoming
“Aquaman 2,” and The Conjuring franchise) will produce. The project is set for
release on July 11, 2025.
Elliot Page Reveals a Famous Actor Told Him Being Gay ‘Doesn’t Exist’ and
Threatened: ‘I’m Going to F— You to Make You Realize You Aren’t Gay’
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human
upbringing,” Safran said earlier this year when he and Gunn unveiled a lengthy
block of planned DC films and series. “He is the embodiment of truth, justice
and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-
fashioned.”
This is a star-making moment for Corenswet, whose marquee idol looks and
Midwestern charm helped him anchor “Hollywood,” where he played an aspiring
actor moonlighting as a sex worker in the buttoned up 1940s. He earned
widespread acclaim for his breakout performance in Netflix’s “The Politician,” as
well as the celebrated horror indie “Pearl” from A24. He also wrote, directed and
starred in the web sketch comedy series “Moe & Jerryweather.” He will next be
seen opposite Natalie Portman in Apple’s “The Lady In The Lake.” He is repped
by CAA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris
Bernstein Trattner & Klein.
Brosnahan has a well-established profile and a mantle full of golden trophies for
her work on Amazon’s long-running “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” She broke
out in Netflix’s “House of Cards.” She recently starred opposite Benedict
Cumberbatch in Lionsgate’s “The Courier,” and alongside Christoph Waltz and
Willem Dafoe in director Walter Hill’s 2022 western “Dead For a Dollar.” She is
repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
BY AARON COUCH
Plus Icon
JUNE 27, 2023
.
After a lengthy search, David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will star in
Superman: Legacy, the film that will launch DC’s new universe under writer-
director Gunn and his DC Studios co-boss, Peter Safran.
Corenswet and Brosnahan were among six actors who vied for the lead roles,
with Gunn filming screen tests over the June 17 weekend with Nicholas Hoult
and Tom Brittney also in contention to play Superman/Clark Kent and Emma
Mackey and Phoebe Dynevor in the running for Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane.
'Blue Beetle' Director Confirms Film Is in the DCU and "Future Installments" of
the Superhero Universe
Few roles are as coveted — or come with as much pressure — as Superman.
That’s doubly true in the current landscape, as Corenswet will anchor a new
universe as DC attempts to reinvent itself after a streak of misses with
October’s Black Adam, March’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods and the recent The
Flash. Only three actors have played the character on the big screen, with
Christopher Reeve’s career-defining work in 1978’s Superman launching the
modern superhero genre and spawning three sequels. Brandon Routh starred
in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (2006), a film that failed to ignite the box
office and resulted in him being a one-and-done. And a decade ago, Henry
Cavill starred in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, the film that launched the DC
Extended Universe and made Cavill a fan-favorite actor for his dignified work as
Clark Kent.
Cavill went on to appear in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and
Justice League (2017) and, after years away from the role, appeared in a
cameo in Black Adam (2022) and announced his intention to star in more
Superman projects. That was all before Gunn and Safran were hired to revamp
DC, which included plans for a younger Superman.
Superman: Legacy has a release date of July 11, 2025. The Superman project
will be the first film fully produced under Gunn and Safran’s tenure. The Flash
was released under the newly minted studio heads; that movie, which was
plagued by the poor publicity incurred by star Ezra Miller, earned a
disappointing $55 million during its opening weekend.
Legacy marks a massive career shift for Corenswet, not only being No. 1 on the
call sheet of a studio film for the first time but doing so as one of pop culture’s
most enduring heroes. The actor first broke out in Ryan Murphy series The
Politician, which was followed by a starring turn in another Murphy-backed
Netflix series, Hollywood. Other credits include HBO series We Own This City
and A24 horror sequel Pearl. Up next there is the Apple series Lady in the Lake
and Twister sequel, Twisters.
Brosnahan is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner for her acclaimed series The
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She rose to prominence with House of Cards, which
earned her an Emmy nomination. Three actors have previously played Lois
Lane on the big screen. Margot Kidder gave a defining performance full of
intelligence and spunk 1978’s Superman and its three sequels, in which she
starred opposite Christopher Reeve. Kate Bosworth played Lois in 2006’s
Superman Returns, while Amy Adams brought the character to life in Man of
Steel (2016) and also starred in Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League
(2017).
“I completely relate to Superman because he’s everything I am,” Gunn told The
Hollywood Reporter in April for a cover story. “He’s somebody who is an
outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate insider, because he’s
fucking Superman. And that’s kind of like what I feel like.”
Heat Vision
MOVIE NEWS
James Gunn paired six hopefuls for Clark Kent and Lois Lane over the June 17
weekend — with Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan, Tom Brittney and
Phoebe Dynevor, and David Corenswet and Emma Mackey each filming
together.
BY BORYS KIT
Plus Icon
JUNE 26, 2023
James Gunn surrounded by actors who were considered for the parts of
Superman and Lois Lane
James Gunn (center) is testing an assortment of potential 'Superman: Legacy'
stars, including (clockwise from top left): David Corenswet, Emma Mackey,
Rachel Brosnahan, Phoebe Dynevor, Tom Brittney and Nicholas Hoult THR
Logo text
With The Flash not proving to be the box office savior Warner Bros. was
anticipating, the pressure on new DC Studios’ heads James Gunn and Peter
Safran has increased exponentially.
And that, in turn, means increased weight on Superman: Legacy, the inaugural
movie from Gunn and Safran. And it may not get any weightier than casting the
right actor to play Clark Kent/Superman and his romantic and professional foil,
Lois Lane.
Gunn, who is writing and directing the feature, held screen tests the weekend of
June 17 on the Warners lot in Burbank, and the process has been kept in a
lead-lined box as Gunn shows the assembled cuts to a deciding committee of
executives, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav among them. Despite
the secrecy, some details have emerged, even as the final choice has not.
Gunn, according to sources, assembled three actors and three actresses for
Superman and Lane, respectively, and on Saturday, the first day of the testing,
the actors were seen in predetermined pairs: Nicholas Hoult and Rachel
Brosnahan; Tom Brittney and Phoebe Dynevor; and David Corenswet and
Emma Mackey. They were given several scenes to film, in which the males
were in makeup and wardrobe as Daily Planet reporter Kent while the females
were plucky journalist Lane.
Then on Sunday, Hoult, Brittney and Corenswet did another series of screen
tests, this time in costume as Superman. Interestingly, only Mackey was
brought in that day to portray Lane opposite the actors.
Sources caution that just because Mackey segued into the second day does not
mean she is the front-runner for Lane, although it may be hard not to draw that
conclusion.
The search for Superman is a complex one. In Gunn’s back-to-basics version,

any choice has to be able to play the part of someone who is credibly a farmboy
from Kansas, a reporter at a big city media outlet, and the Man of Steel, able to
leap tall buildings in a single bound.
The search brings back memories of the testing for the lead in 2011’s infamous
Green Lantern, in which actors had to play cocky pilot Hal Jordan and a mask-
wearing space cop from the Green Lantern Corps. The casting came down to
Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper, but the lynchpin was the mask. Some
inside the studio preferred Cooper, but he fared poorly in the superhero
costume tests. The same situation is very likely playing out on Legacy.
Gunn had an assembled cut of the screen tests by Wednesday to show to

Warners brass. A decision could come this week.
And once the decisions on Kent and Lane are made, Gunn will quickly pull the
trigger on the next wave. Sources say there is also a shortlist for villain Lex
Luthor (siblings Alexander and Bill Skarsgard have been mentioned as being on
it, and it’s not clear whether Hoult, who was initially wanted for the part before
deciding to try for Kent/Superman, would put himself in the running again.)
There are also other heroes to cast, such as members of a supergroup named
the Authority (part of the new storyline is Superman joining a world in which
superheroes already exist).
Gunn hopes to have Superman: Legacy before cameras in early 2024, in time
for a July 11, 2025, release. The movie will attempt to kickstart a whole new
slate based on the DC characters after two attempts in the last dozen years
have fizzled due to various factors, box office failure and changes in studio
ownership, among them. Warners is in the process of releasing the last three
movies made by the previous regime. Flash, which was internally considered
the best of the bunch (and, backed by high test screening scores, pre-ordained
a success), unexpectedly cratered theatrically. Box office expectations are not
sky-high for Blue Beetle, which opens in August and stars Xolo Maridueña, who
will carry on in the new Universe. Meanwhile, observers are wondering if
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which opens in December, can match the $1.1
billion high from the original, released five years ago, an achingly long time to
wait for a sequel in the superhero movie world.
Superman will have a year-and-a-half theatrical break between the previous

regime’s movies, but Gunn and Safran know not only do they have to nail it as a
blockbuster on its own terms, they have to put their best foot forward to
generate enthusiasm for the movies and shows that come after.
READ MORE ABOUT:

Screen tests for Superman: Legacy took place last weekend, and it's now being
reportedly by multiple scoopers that a frontrunner has emerged who could be
revealed as soon as July's San Diego Comic-Con.
News
By JoshWilding –
Jun 25, 2023
Fans remain eager to learn who DC Studios will cast as Superman: Legacy's
Clark Kent and Lois Lane, with Nicholas Hoult, David Corenswet, Tom Brittney,
Emma Mackey, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rachel Brosnahan all said to be in the
mix.
Those actors, and potentially a few others, are thought to have screen tested at
Warner Bros. last weekend. Now, a number of scoopers on social media are all
saying the same thing: David Corenswet may be our new Man of Tomorrow!
It sounds like the current plan is for an announcement to be made during next
month's San Diego Comic-Con. If so, Warner Bros. will be the only major studio
attending the annual event as Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures, and Universal are
all giving it a miss.
That could give DC Studios the chance to steal the show, of course!
While not an unknown, Corenswet is an up-and-coming actor who is mostly

unknown to moviegoers. However, he counts House of Cards, The Politician,
Hollywood, We Own This City, and Pearl among his credits, and is a legitimate
talent.
At 29, he's the right age for a younger, somewhat more earnest, Kal-El. Plus, as
you can see from the photo below, Corenswet undoubtedly looks the part. For
now, though, it would be wise to take these claims with a pinch of salt until an
official announcement is made.
"Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his

Kansas," reads the movie's synopsis. "He is the embodiment of truth, justice
and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees
kindness as old-fashioned."
Superman: Legacy is set to be released in theaters on July 11. 2025.

Screen tests for Superman: Legacy took place over the weekend, and we now
have additional details on where things stand and whether DC Studios will need
any sort of approval from Warner Bros. executives.
News
By JoshWilding –
Jun 21, 2023
There's a huge amount of excitement to see who DC Studios will cast as

Superman: Legacy's Clark Kent and Lois Lane, with Nicholas Hoult, David
Corenswet, Tom Brittney, Emma Mackey, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rachel
Brosnahan all said to be in the mix.
Screen tests took place over the weekend, and the hope now is that we'll get
some news at Comic-Con in San Diego next month.
According to Deadline's Justin Kroll, despite DC Studios supposedly being
independent of Warner Bros., studio executives will need to weigh in before any
decisions are made about who is going to lead this highly anticipated reboot.
With the DCU hinging on the success of Superman: Legacy, that's not overly
surprising.
Kroll would later add that James Gunn and Peter Safran will likely want such
input, a point the former seemed to corroborate when he responded to a fan on
social media. This sort of oversight was to be expected and, based on the
timeline predicted below, we may get a casting announcement in July at some
point.
It's obviously hard to say for sure, though, especially when deals will need to be
signed that are expected to keep these actors tied to the DCU for a decade or
more!


BY
ANDY BEHBAKHT
James Gunn's Superman: Legacy will reportedly also set up The Authority
movie for DC Studios, another film in their Chapter 1: Gods & Monsters slate.
The Authority movie cast may be coming to the DC Universe a lot sooner than
expected as Superman: Legacy is reportedly doing some groundwork for the
team's solo film. One of the big Chapter 1 projects that DC Studios is currently
working on is Superman: Legacy, which is in the midst of looking for their new
Superman, along with other iconic characters from Clark Kent's lore. The film is
currently eying to start filming in 2024 in order to meet its 2025 release date.
While Superman: Legacy will be a new take on the DC icon, the reboot might
serve as a vehicle for several more superheroes in the DC Universe.
According to THR, The Authority, which has a solo film lined up in Chapter 1,
Gods and Monsters, are reportedly going to be introduced in the Superman
reboot. Per the trade, members of the group will be cast after the studio gets
through their casting shortlist of Clark and Lois Lane for Superman: Legacy. It's
unclear if The Authority will have major or supporting roles, as DC Studios has
yet to comment on the report at the time of publication.
How The Authority Could Fit Into Superman: Legacy's Story
Assuming this casting report is accurate, it begs the question of how The
Authority would fit into the larger story of Superman: Legacy. It wouldn't be
surprising if they only have a few Authority members rather than the entire team
show up in the Superman reboot. Having the whole group introduced in
Superman: Legacy would risk overcrowding a movie that is supposed to set up
the new version of Clark Kent.
However, Superman: Legacy could potentially adapt a very relevant storyline

that could put The Authority right in the center of the DC Universe installment.
It's possible this could be an adaptation of Superman and The Authority, where
Clark helped put together a new version of the team. If that is the case, it could,
in turn, set up DC Universe's The Authority movie.
The Authority having any type of role in Superman: Legacy would definitely help
the reboot stand out from past Superman movies, given the type of characters
that exists within that team. But more importantly, it will give audiences a taste
of the group before The Authority movie, highlighting how interconnected they
are intending to be with the new DC Universe. Hopefully, with San Diego
Comic-Con around the corner, Gunn will be able to clarify whether or not The
Authority is showing up in Superman: Legacy.
Source: THR
By Justin Kroll, Anthony D'Alessandro
June 8,
Superman: Legacy
Gilbert Flores/DC
EXCLUSIVE: Following months of going through dozens of audition tapes,
Warner Bros and DC Films look to be getting closer to finding the stars of their
Superman: Legacy movie as a second round of testing looks to be imminent.
Insiders close to the process say the first in-person tests with DC co-heads
Peter Safran and James Gunn (who is writing and directing the pic) will take
place around Father’s Day weekend or the Monday or Tuesday after with
Nicholas Hoult, David Corenswet and Tom Brittney expected to test for Clark
Kent aka Superman, and Emma Mackey, Rachel Brosnahan and Phoebe
Dynevor testing for Lois Lane. Sources added that some of the test deals are
still being negotiated and haven’t all closed, but that as of now these are the
names expected to participate in the auditions.
Deadline had reported last month these were among the names that had
submitted audition tapes and that execs had only just begun watching each
tape — especially Gunn, who only recently wrapped his press tour for Marvel’s
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn had let it be known he wanted to be
thorough and watch each tape, and over that time those names rose to the top
as the short list was created.
As for other roles such as the Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen, those decisions will
likely happen after decisions are made on Superman and Lois.
More to come.
Jun 1, 2023 James Gunn’s Superman Search Includes Former ‘Bold and the
Beautiful’ Star Pierson Fodé
By Marc Malkin
Back in April, James Gunn told me what he was looking for in the new Man of
Steel for “Superman: Legacy.” “The next Superman has to be someone who
has all the humanity that Superman has, but he’s also an alien,” he said. “It’s
gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman
has and be somebody who you want to give a hug.”
He added, “We have some really great choices, which I’m excited about.”
Could former “The Bold and the Beautiful” star Pierson Fodé be on Gunn’s list?
I hear that the 31-year-old actor could be in the running for the coveted role.
Sources tell me that Fodé sent in a self-tape, which included a montage of
footage showing his very Clark Kent-like childhood on a farm in the small town
of Moses Lake, Wash. I’m told Gunn liked what he saw.
Just take a look at the photo of Fodé above or his shirtless shots on Instagram.
Hello, Superman!
Fodé has some superhero cred – he appeared in a 2020 episode of “Supergirl.”
A rep for Fodé did not comment. Gunn’s rep referred questions to Warner Bros.
The studio’s policy is not to comment on “Superman: Legacy” stories. An insider
says no casting decisions have been made.
Fodé is known for his work as Thomas Forrester on “The Bold and the
Beautiful” from 2015 to 2018. His credits also include “The Man From Toronto”
with Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson, Facebook Watch’s “The Real Bros of
Simi Valley” and the real-life college football drama “It’s Time.”
Fodé will next be seen in “Based on a True Story,” the new dark comedy series
from Peacock starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina. He also recently signed
on to play a camp counselor in the coming-of-age thriller “Marshmallow,”
directed by Daniel Delpurgatorio and written by Andy Greskoviak.
By Armando Tinoco
May 20, 2023
James Gunn is in the middle of storyboarding Superman Legacy and took some
time off to address all the rumors about DC he’s read online.
“I’m getting barraged with bulls**t DC rumors this morning,” he tweeted. “I’ll just
reiterate the general rule not to believe anything unless it comes from me or
Peter [Safran]. But, unless it’s especially egregious, I’m going to slow down on
calling s**t out. (Sorry, I know, it’s one of my favorite traditions).”
Gunn is known for interacting with fans on social media that are excited about
what is to come in the DC Universe as he and Safran begin their work on
Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The filmmaker explained the three reasons
why he was taking a step back from clearing up all the rumors from fans: “1)
Some people are making up lies to get attention from me or to get clicks & I
don’t want to encourage that. 2) I’ve read a hundred rumors this morning. ONE
of them is half-true. So I don’t want to be used as a way for people to throw
nonsense at the wall until something sticks.”
Lastly, Gunn said, “3) I’m storyboarding Superman Legacy and don’t have time!
Have a great day!”
In a follow-up tweet, Gunn said the new Superman film was “far from the first
draft” as they were only in the storyboarding phase.
Back in January, Safran teased what Superman Legacy was going to be about.
“It’s not an origins story, it focuses on Superman’s balancing his Kryptonian

heritage with his human upbringing. He’s the embodiment of truth, justice and
the American way, he’s kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-
fashioned,” Safran said.
Gunn recently said only one person has been cast for Superman Legacy and
it’s not the Man of Steel himself. Names rumored to be considered to play Clark
Kent include Nicholas Hoult, David Corenswet, Jacob Elordi and Andrew
Richardson.
May 16, 2023
In an interview with GQ.com, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn explains how
his upcoming film “Superman: Legacy” draws inspiration from Christopher
Reeve’s take on Superman.
Gunn recalls how seeing “Superman: The Movie” was a magical moment for
him when he was young.
“I remember when I was a child, I had seen Star Wars, and that was like such a
big magical moment for me, and this [seeing “Superman: The Movie”] was the
next big magical movie.”
With Gunn currently deep in casting the lead roles for “Superman: Legacy” he
explains how important it is to find the right actor to play the Man of Steel.
“You know, at the time, they did exactly what we’re doing now. They’re going
through tons and tons of actors to see who captures that spirit. The thing they
don’t talk about much when they talk about Christopher Reeve, they talk about
his pureness, his hope, his goodness. They talk about, you know, the way that
he plays Clark as being so different from the way he plays Superman, and how
he can turn that on in an instant. But there’s this playfulness about Superman,
when he’s saving a cat, he’s got that wry smile. And that is one of the best parts
of the movie is the playfulness of Superman. He enjoys what he’s doing. He
likes helping human beings and he likes saving them.”
As for this thoughts on the Superman costume, again Gunn looks to the 1978
film.
“They just did the costume from the comics and they did it very simply, and it
works really well. The colors work well. I just got a bunch of pictures from
Warner Brothers’ vaults of the actual original costumes. I think the costume
works really good and it’s just without frills, which was easier back then than
today, because today people have seen a lot of different superhero costumes.”
As for how Gunn will tackle the Superman costume in his film…
“I think that, you know, what we’re doing is different. It’s its own thing. But I’m
definitely influenced by what Donner did with Superman, and what Christopher
Reeve did with Superman, and Margot Kidder, who’s fantastic in the movie.
She’s really the heart of it in a lot of ways.”
You can read the full transcript of the interview at GQ.com.

James Gunn
just got a bunch of pictures

from Warner Brothers' vaults
of the actual original costumes.
I think the costume works really good
and it's just without frills.
Because today, people have seen a lot
of different superhero costumes.
So it's how do you make it look believable?
How do you take this outrageous concept
of a guy who flies around and turn him into something real?
[clapperboard claps] [James claps]
Hey, GQ.
I'm James Gunn, and I'm gonna break down
my top five favorite comic book movies.
[chill music]
I think I'm worth listening to about comic book movies,
simply because I've made so many comic book films
and superhero films.
I've made at least...
Oh my gosh, I don't know how many superhero movies I've made
at this point, something like six or seven.
I guess if you include the movies I've produced
like the Avengers movies, then it's really a lot.
[chill music]
[Deadpool] Oh, hello. I know, right?
Whose balls did I have to fondle to get my very own movie?
I think coming in at number five,

I'm gonna go with Deadpool.
The first Deadpool and the second Deadpool, actually,
are two of my favorite comic book movies.
They came on the heels of the Guardians film.
They were even more of, you know,
comedies in the Guardians films are,
and they were so well-made, so heartfelt and fun,
and Ryan Reynolds just kills it.
I think Deadpool is a perfect adaptation of a comic book,
because the comic book is very much tongue-in-cheek,
very much breaking-the-fourth-wall all the time,
talking to the audience,
and I think the movie does that really well,
but somehow also keeps it more grounded
and gives it a little bit more heart than the comics have.
If you could see me you'd understand.
Looks aren't everything.
Looks are everything. You ever heard David Beckham speak?
It's like he mouth-sexed a can of helium?
You think Ryan Reynold's got this far
on his superior acting method?
Love is blind, Wade.
No.
You're blind.
Ryan's such a funny guy.
I think along with like Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
or Christopher Reeve as Superman,
he's one of the all-time great comic book, you know, icons.
[chill music]
[Mi-do speaking in foreign language]

[suspenseful music]
[baby octopus squelching]
[Dae-su munching]
Number four, I'm going to say Oldboy.
Now a lot of people don't know
that this is a comic book film, but it's based on a manga,
and it's a Korean film.
It reinvented action and it really ushered in the new era
of Korean cinema, which has continued to this day.
They still probably make the best action movies
in the world.
But as a movie, it's just incredibly cinematic,
incredibly colorful,
really kind of gross but also beautiful,
and shocking at the end.

It has real nice twist at the end,
so it works on every level.
[thugs clamoring] [weapons thudding]
[weapons thudding] [thugs screaming]
If there's one scene that sticks out,
it's obviously the hallway fight.
That was a huge inspiration to me.
And you can see our own version
of a hallway fight in Guardians 3.
Different versions of hallway action fights have been great,
whether it's in Oldboy or The Raid,
another great action movie.
We have one in the Suicide Squad, and now in Guardians.
[chill music]
Sorry. Do- do we know each other?

[people murmuring] [tableware clattering]
You tell me.
My third favorite all-time comic book film
is A History of Violence, directed by David Cronenberg.
One of my favorite directors.
I love so many of his films.
From Dead Ringers to Naked Lunch.
But my favorite movie of his
is probably History of Violence.
Viggo Mortensen stars in it.
He's fantastic and it's a really amazing movie
about a guy who's a former killer
who's trying to live this normal life
and gets wrapped up in his past.
When I saw A History of Violence, I also, like Oldboy,

I didn't know this was based on anything.
I didn't know it was adapted from a novel
or especially didn't know it was adopted
from comic books and a graphic novel.
I just saw it as a movie itself,
so it didn't have to live up to anything.
It didn't have to overcome anything.
It was just an amazing movie in and of itself
that's emotional and passionate,
and the violence and the action is shot really well.
I mean I really was influenced by History of Violence.
I was influenced by the way
that it didn't play like an action movie.
You don't look at it and say, Oh, that's an action movie.
But if you watch

the way Cronenberg shoots the action sequences in the movie,
it's really spectacular and really deft.
Do it.
[customer panting]
[object thuds] [customer gasps]
[decanter tinkles] [Leland groans]
[gun clatters]
[Leland thuds] [object clatters]
[gun firing]
[object clattering]
[gun firing]
[glass door tinkles]
I think Cronenberg has a way of turning the world
just slightly to see something really ugly about it,
in a beautiful way, if that makes any sense.

And History of Violence does that.
He just turns this normal American family, just slightly,
and we see into its soul,
and it's not the most beautiful thing in the world.
[chuckles] Of all the wonderful things,
there's a wonderful sex scene in the movie
between Viggo and his wife on the steps
when she discovers...
Like starting to discover who he really is.
I'm not a big sex-scene guy.
I don't take sex scenes apart
in the same way I take action scenes apart.
But I somehow really remember that scene
because it was so raw and so passionate, and so real.
[Tom thuds]
[footsteps pattering]
And usually, sex scenes just seem like,
I'm actually usually waiting for them to be done
or they seem like unnecessary, or just exploited, you know?
So this wasn't like that at all,
this was a real part of the story.
[chill music]
[exciting music]
[revolving door whooshing]
Say, Jim, whoo.
Excuse me.
That's a bad outfit. [Superman whooshing]
Number two, I'm gonna have to go
with a movie that changed my life,
and that's Richard Donner's Superman.

This one is important to me historically,
it's a great movie, but it was also a movie I saw as a kid
that affected my life a lot.
And I remember seeing it at the Peres cinema
in Manchester, Missouri when it was first released.
Strangely, the same exact theater that Jim Lee,
who went on to create so many great comics character,
saw it in St. Louis 'cause we're both from there.
But it was taken up in this movie,
and I remember when I was a child, I had seen Star Wars,
and that was like such a big magical moment for me,
and this was the next big magical movie.
[Superman whooshing] [exciting music]
The hell is that?
[Superman whooshing]
Oh. Easy miss, I've got you.
You- you've got me. Who's got you?
You know, at the time,
they did exactly what we're doing now.
They're going through tons and tons of actors
to see who captures that spirit.
The thing they don't talk about much
when they talk about Christopher Reeve,
they talk about his pureness, his hope, his goodness.
They talk about, you know, the way that he plays Clark
as being so different from the way he plays Superman,
and how he can turn that on in an instant.
But there's this playfulness about Superman,
when he's saving a cat, he's got that wry smile.
[light music] Well. Bye, Frisky.

So long, now.
And that is one of the best parts of the movie
is the playfulness of Superman.
He enjoys what he's doing.
He likes helping human beings and he likes saving them.
They just did the costume from the comics
and they did it very simply, and it works really well.
The colors work well.
I just got a bunch of pictures from Warner Brothers' vaults
of the actual original costumes.
I think the costume works really good
and it's just without frills,
which was easier back then than today,
because today people have seen a lot
of different superhero costumes.

So it's how do you make it look believable?
How do you take this outrageous concept
of a guy who flies around and turn him into something real?
I think that, you know, what we're doing is different.
It's its own thing.
But I'm definitely influenced by what Donner did
with Superman,
and what Christopher Reeve did with Superman,
and Margot Kidder, who's fantastic in the movie.
She's really the heart of it in a lot of ways.
[pensive music] [footsteps pattering]
The Fortress of Solitude is an amazing set.
It's really like the look of it was created
through those Donner Superman movies.
And I think it was a magical location

that wasn't something that we're familiar with,
but that was so well-done and actually built big sets,
and that's influenced me a lot.
We have some of the biggest sets of all time
in The Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.
It's great to actually have real practical sets
for these strange locations.
So the, you know, actors and the crew
kind of feel what's going on when we're there,
and it just looks better
than having everything be a total CGI-fest.
[chill music]
[comic page rustling]
[Miles] Please keep...
Wait, wait, wait. How could there be two Spider-Man?

There can't be two Spider-Man.
[pensive music]
Can there?
My favorite superhero movie
and my favorite comic book movie is an animated film.
It's Into the Spider-Verse.
This movie works from start to finish.
It does not have a bad beat in it.
The action is amazing. The emotion is amazing.
The voice acting is incredible.
Well-directed, well-written, and I just don't think
that there's been a better superhero movie
than Into the Spider-Verse.
I think that, you know, Into the Spider-Verse
is truly the first, you know, comic book multiverse movie.

They did it in such a balanced and real way.
There weren't a lot of plot holes
like there are in a lot of these multiverse movies.
They thought everything through
and it was just really tight.
And if there's one thing I respect a lot in a screenplay,
in a film, is to be elegant
and to not be doing all this stuff that goes off
from the center of the film.
And it doesn't, it stays pointed the entire time.
Are you from another dimension,
like a parallel universe
where things are like this universe, but different,
and you're Spider-Man in that universe,
but somehow travel to this universe,

but- but you don't know how?
Wow, that was really just a guess?
Being able to see
all these different Spider-Man characters,
Miles Morales and, you know, Peter,
and all the other characters working together in one movie.
It was sort of a dream come true for a kid who loved,
you know, Spider-Man,
as much as I loved Superman and Batman growing up.
I think that Spider-Verse really influenced me
in terms of trying to make high quality animation
that is not secondary.
There is an advantage to these animated films,
because you do plan out everything.
You kind of draw it as you go along.

You don't go on set and film it,
it's costing you millions of dollars,
and then you come back with the footage,
and then you have to see if it works or not.
I think it's one of the reasons why there are so many good,
tight animated films, and more often than not,
they're better than live action films.
Movies that almost made the list were Deadpool 2,
Iron Man, for sure.
V for Vendetta is another one that almost made the list.
Spider-Man: Homecoming, I think, is fantastic.
There were a lot of movies I really loved
that almost made the list, but I had to choose five.
And so, you know, I may wake up tomorrow
and think I made an enormous mistake that I can't take back.

[Interviewer] Can you just give us a quick drop
of the list with your movies in it?
You know, my movies are like my children,
so I can't say one that I like better than the other.
I mean, listen.
With Guardians 1, I was proud of how we did something
that was considered pretty outlandish at the time,
but did it in a mainstream way that spoke
to audiences all over the world.
That was a big accomplishment for me.
For the second movie, I was really proud of how, you know
we really told this story about a, you know,
adoptive father and his son, and how that came together,
and how many people have written me over the years saying,
I finally like forgive my stepfather

for all this whatever they put me through.
It's changed people's relationships
with their family members.
For Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad,
we really took big risks and big swings,
and did ridiculous things
that I thought was like a much more chaotic approach
to cinema, and I learned a lot through that,
and I personally learned a lot
through how to use a camera on that film.
And then for Guardians 3,
I'm just really proud of the way that we,
you know, really gave each of these characters
the dignity they deserve
and gave them the ending they deserve.

All right, GQ. Thank you very much.
These were my top five favorite comic book movies.
They all might change tomorrow, who knows?
But, thank you very much for joining me
and I'll see you soon.
[chill music]
Hide
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News and opinion about video games, television, movies and the internet.
May 15, 2023,
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: (L-R) David Corenswet and Lili
Reinhart attend Netflix's "Look ... [+]GETTY IMAGES FOR NETFLIX
Over the weekend, there were a lot of rumors floating around that certain actors
were auditioning for certain roles with James Gunn’s upcoming Superman
Legacy cast. Gunn himself, usually quick to flat-out shoot down rumors
wholesale, said that he wouldn’t comment on auditions one way or another, lest
that be unfair to the actors.
But hey, it’s not a flat denial, I guess.
Here are the actors in question, based on the rumors, which come from The
Wrap, which I’d consider more reputable than most:
David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Jacob Elordi and Andrew Richardson
auditioning for Superman.
Rachel Brosnahan, Emma Mackey and Samara Weaving auditioning for Lois
Lane.
There are two separate rumors that Hoult (who also auditioned for Reeves’
Batman) may also be considered for Lex Luthor, and another rumor that Lex
Luthor may be black in Gunn’s version instead (in DC’s Harley Quinn, a show
James Gunn loves and has appeared in, Lex Luthor is black and played by
Giancarlo Esposito).
Forbes Daily: Get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of
the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
So, what to make of all these? Of the Superman options, I’d say that on pure
looks, David Corenswet embodies the part the most, as he’s essentially a young
Henry Cavill.
The Wrap report says that Mrs. Maisel herself, Brosnahan, gave a “strong”
audition for Lois Lane, though I’ve seen the popular pick among fans online to
be Sex Education’s Emma Mackey, mainly based on her looks. Personally, I
love Samara Weaving in everything I’ve ever seen her in, and I could see her as
Lois.
As for Lex? When I first heard Hoult for that role, he seemed a bit young, even if
we are doing “Young Lex” to join a younger Clark, though after watching him in
The Great, I could see him being good for the part. But a black actor would also
make sense given the overwhelmingly white cast that makes up most of the
Superman roster.
Again, this is a film that is not out until mid 2025, at the earliest, and it may be
delayed further because of the writers strike. There are also rumblings that in
the meantime, HBO Max may pick up Superman and Lois for more seasons,
which features Tyler Hoechlin’s much-beloved but underwatched Superman,
but clearly he won’t end up moving to Gunn’s world at this point.
Given Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which ended on a high note, plus
his Suicide Squad, one of the best films in the DCEU, I have pretty high hopes
for his Superman Legacy film, and I’m really excited about a lot of these
potential casting choices, particularly that Lois roster where it feels like there are
no bad options. We’ll see what future rumors bring, even if most of the time,
superhero casting rumblings don’t tend to fully pan out.
With DC Studios and James Gunn making moves to cast upcoming DCU reboot
Superman: Legacy, some new details have emerged about the filmmaker's
plans for Lex Luthor. Are we getting the "Apex" version, though?
News
By JoshWilding
May 15,
Source: The Wrap
The cast of Superman: Legacy is beginning to take shape, but reports that
Nicholas Hoult has been chosen to play Lex Luthor were a tad premature.
Instead, the X-Men: Days of Future Past star is said to be among those being
eyed to play the Man of Tomorrow, an interesting casting decision after he very
nearly landed the role of Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves' The Batman (in fact, he
was runner-up to eventual Dark Knight, Robert Pattinson).
Hollywood trade The Wrap has also weighed in on the Superman: Legacy
casting hunt, reiterating recent reports that the movie's main antagonist is
currently being labelled "Apex." Director James Gunn is said to be meeting with
Black actors for the part, suggesting that's the route he plans to take Lex Luthor
on screen.
This would go some way in explaining recent reports that the filmmaker has
spoken to a member of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's cast about playing Lex
(presumably meaning he's considered casting The High Evolutionary actor and
Peacemaker star Chukwudi Iwuji).
As for this "Apex" label, DC Studios is either trying to throw us off the scent or
this is a potential spoiler.
In the comic books, Lex captured Martian Manhunter and used him to gain
Martian-based superpowers that made him strong enough to defeat the Justice
League. This would go a long way in differentiating Lex from previous big
screen iterations, but there are many, many other Superman villains fans would
prefer to see on screen.
Yes, a superpowered Lex changes his dynamic with the Man of Steel, but the
likes of Brainiac, Metallo, and Bizarro would all be vastly more interesting at this
point.
There's nothing to say this "Apex" baddie will be Superman: Legacy's only
villain, of course, so we'll see what happens in the weeks ahead as the cast is
assembled.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn has opened up on his
approach to Superman: Legacy, sharing how he hopes to deliver an "emotional"
take on the DCU's new Man of Tomorrow. Check it out!
By JoshWilding
May 15, 2023
Based on what we heard over the weekend, the cast of Superman: Legacy is
slowly starting to come together. No decisions have been made as of yet, but
some exciting contenders are in the mix for both Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn will be at the helm of this reboot, and talking
to Gizmodo about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the filmmaker shared some
insights into how he plans to tackle the Man of Tomorrow's big screen return.
"I didn't come to 'Guardians 3' and say, 'I wanna write a movie that’s gonna
make everybody cry.' I don’t think about that," Gunn explains. "I want to tell a
story that treats the characters with dignity and compassion [that] is the best,
most surprising, most moving story I can possibly tell."
"And if that ends up being just moving, because it’s a fun blast of a film or if it
ends up being moving because you’re sobbing, or it makes you feel that rage,
or whatever it makes you feel, I’m good with all of those things as long as it
works."
As for how that approach will translate to Superman: Legacy, he added, "I can’t
say I’m looking for any particular emotions to bring out through 'Superman,' but I
don’t want it to be unemotional. I don’t want it to deny that we are, as human
beings, emotional characters and that Superman is also that."
This lines up with much of what Gunn has said before about his hopes to
explore this character in a way previous movies haven't, news which has made
comic book fans very happy. Needless to say, after Vol. 3, we expect the
director to deliver a rousing, uplifting take on Kal-El which is likely to tug at our
heartstrings as well.


More details have been revealed about the Superman: Legacy casting process,
and it sounds like James Gunn is considering at least one Guardians of the
Galaxy Vol. 3 star to take on the role of Lex Luthor.
News
By JoshWilding –
May 14, 2023
Source: Deadline
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will remain at the top of the U.S. box office this
weekend, but filmmaker James Gunn is already turning his attention to
Superman: Legacy, the DC Studios movie that promises to set the tone for the
new DCU.
Following yesterday's casting news, Deadline has weighed in by revealing that

Nicholas Hoult (Dark Phoenix), David Corenswet (Pearl), Jacob Elordi
(Euphoria), and Andrew Richardson (Extrapolations) are indeed among those
being eyed to play the Man of Steel.
As for Lois Lane, the trade reiterates that Emma Mackey (Barbie), Rachel
Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton), and
Samara Weaving (Scream VI) have tested for the role, with the last of those
submitted on May 4. Gunn is watching every single tape, though a decision is
unlikely to be made for some time.
More details have been revealed about his plans for Lex Luthor too.
Apparently, the role has been dubbed "Apex" in casting calls, a possible nod to
the Apex Lex Luthor. In the comic books, he gained the powers of an alien after
a shard of tenth metal made him every bit as formidable as Martian Manhunter.
With that, he was strong enough to kill the Justice League!
It's also been revealed that a Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 star is among
those being considered to play the villain. We're guessing Chris Pratt and Dave
Bautista are unlikely, but both Will Poulter and Chukwudi Iwuji both make
sense.
Gunn, meanwhile, has also weighed in on the ongoing Superman: Legacy
casting process.
NARAYAN LIU
A new report suggests actor Nicholas Hoult, known for playing Hank McCoy in
Fox's X-Men saga, is being eyed for a major Superman: Legacy role.
Actor Nicholas Hoult is reportedly being eyed for a major role in James Gunn's
upcoming DC Studios film, Superman: Legacy.
The Hollywood Reporter recently claimed Hoult is one of several actors being
looked at to play the iconic supervillain, Lex Luthor. However, it should be noted
that Deadline reporter Justin Kroll later suggested that Hoult is being eyed for
the role of Clark Kent. It should be noted that neither one of these claims have
been officially confirmed.
Hoult is known for playing Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, in Fox's X-Men
saga, before the studio was acquired by Disney. His appearance in the
franchise began in X-Men: First Class and came to an end in X-Men: Dark
Phoenix in 2019. According to reports, there were talks of a Beast-focused X-
Men spinoff film. While a script was drafted, it ultimately went unproduced.
Who Is in the Running For the Man of Steel?

At the current time, there has been no official word on who might play
Superman: Legacy's titular Man of Steel. Casting only recently began, with
Gunn himself stating at the end of April that the DC film already had several
choices for its star role. There has also been no official word on the film's
central antagonist, though rumors suggest it will be Superman's classic arch-
nemesis Lex Luthor.
Superman: Legacy is being written and directed by Gunn. The film was
announced as the first release of DC Studios and Chapter One of the new DCU,
titled "Gods and Monsters." Pre-production on the Superman film recently
began in mid-April and few details have been officially released since then.
Gunn only confirmed at the time, "Costumes, production design, and more now
up and running."
What Fans Know About Superman: Legacy

Regarding casting, Gunn has only confirmed that the upcoming film will see one
of the stars of his Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Guardians of the Galaxy,
though he did not provide any details or hints concerning which actor
specifically. He did, however, explain why fans are likely to see him collaborate
with the same actors. Citing filmmakers such as Martin Scorcese, Quentin
Tarantino and more who work with the same stars, Gunn stated, "We know how
they work, how they tick, we develop a shorthand. We know they're reliable,
good people."
Superman: Legacy centers on a younger Clark Kent, as he continues to

struggle in balancing his life on Earth with this Kryptonian heritage. Hinting at
the film's depiction of the iconic superhero, DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran
stated, "Superman represents truth, justice and the American way... He is
kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned."
Superman: Legacy is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
Source: THR, Twitter

Searching for Superman: Inside the Quest to Cast DC’s New Top Hero
(Exclusive)
The race to find Clark Kent and Lois Lane has been heating up as top
contenders like Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet pull ahead.
BY BORYS KIT, MIA GALUPPO

MAY 13, 2023
The quest for James Gunn’s Superman is up, up, and away.
Casting for Superman: Legacy, the feature that is meant to kick off Gunn and
Peter Safran’s much-vaunted first chapter of DC Studios, is hitting a crucial
phase, with a short list of names bubbling up for the roles of Clark Kent, Lois
Lane and even Lex Luthor.
David Corenswet, who recently played the ill-fated projectionist opposite Mia
Goth in Pearl, is among the top contenders to play Kent, aka Superman,
advancing to the screen test stage that will likely take place after Memorial Day
or early June, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. Two other
contenders may also be in the mix but their identities remain unknown.
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' End-Credit Scenes Hint at a Future Beyond
James Gunn's Trilogy
Jacob Elordi, the sought-after star who broke out as the resident villain on HBO
series Euphoria, is a name that surfaced for the role of Kent but sources say he
never submitted himself into the ring. British actors Tom Brittney and Andrew
Richardson are also names that were in the early mix.
As for Lane, the spunky reporter at Metropolis’ Daily Planet news organization,
contenders have been Emma Mackey, one of the stars of the Netflix series Sex
Education and who will appear in Warner Bros. title Barbie; Rachel Brosnahan,
the Emmy-winning star of Amazon’s acclaimed The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel;
Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor; and Samara Weaving, last seen in Scream
VI. It is unclear who is advancing on to the testing stage. Brosnahan is said to
have delivered an “outstanding” audition but, at 32, may be in the older range
for what Gunn is ultimately hoping to achieve, a look Metropolis heroics via 20-
something characters.
Sources caution that some of these are not screen testing and have merely
been in the mix. One source, without providing additional detail, dismissed
some of the names as “a chatroom list.” Warners had no comment and one
insider said the filmmakers and studio “are nowhere near a decision.”
One role that seems to have only one person earmarked is the classic villain
Luthor. Nicholas Hoult, currently starring in vampire thriller Renfield, has been
tipped to play the bald-headed evil genius. Hoult’s name has been swirling
around Legacy for several weeks now with some theorizing he was up for
Superman. The actor had a previous close call with the DC movie realm when
he the runner-up to play Batman for Matt Reeves, with the role going to Robert
Pattinson. “The studio has loved him since Fury Road,” said one source,
referring to Warners’ 2015 action classic from George Miller.
And while the roles being chased by many of the town’s up-and-comers include
the trio of classic characters, sources say the movie will be populated by many
faces as it will seek to introduce DC heroes that are already established in the
movie’s setting.
Superman: Legacy will be the first film under the Gunn-Safran regime at DC,
making the casting of particular note. The superhero holds a place of particular
importance for Gunn. “I completely relate to Superman because he’s everything
I am,” Gunn told THR in an April cover story. “He’s somebody who is an
outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate insider, because he’s
fucking Superman. And that’s kind of like what I feel like.”
As for the macroeconomics of Superman, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David

Zaslav is betting big on the new superhero strategy. “DC is the biggest value
creation opportunity for us,” Zaslav said in February, during a Q4 earnings
report. In 2022 and early 2023, WBD cleared the DC decks, shelving Batgirl
indefinitely claiming a tax write-down, and releasing Black Adam and Shazam!
Fury of the Gods to mixed results at the box office. Still to come is Blue Beetle,
which was once set for HBO Max but was moved to an August theatrical
release, and June’s long-delayed Flash movie that has already been screened
in full for exhibitors at CinemaCon with positive results. Aquaman and the Lost
Kingdom, due out in December, is the final DC film made by the previous
regime.
Filmmaker James Gunn has confirmed when Superman: Legacy will begin
shooting, while also sharing new insights into his role as DC Studios co-CEO
and how that differs from Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige...
By JoshWilding
May 12, 2023
Source: Wired
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now in theaters, and that means the
promotional tour for cast and crew has reached its end. As a result, James
Gunn is free to focus on running DC Studios and preparing to helm 2025's
Superman: Legacy.
During an interview with Wired, the filmmaker was asked what he's currently
working on. As well as sharing an update on Creature Commandos, Gunn
confirmed recent reports that cameras will start rolling on the Man of Steel's big
screen return next January.
"I'm working on Superman: Legacy which we shoot in January," he revealed.

"We've been recording voices for our animated show, Creature Commandos.
And then I'm helping other writers work on other projects in the DC world."
In the same interview, Gunn was also asked about his DC Studios duties and
explained how his role there differs from Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.
"It's actually a little different. Peter Safran does a lot of what Kevin Feige does.
A lot of what I do is I just work on the creative side of things," the writer and
director reveals. "So, mapping out the stories and the creative side of the
universe is my job, much more so than some of the more
administrative/executive type of stuff. Kevin has to do both."
Superman: Legacy won't be another origin story but the Clark Kent we meet for
the first time here will be a "cub reporter" in Metropolis. He's expected to have
already met Lois Lane and, potentially, his fellow heroes (Gunn has said they
already exist in this world and that the Man of Tomorrow isn't the DCU's first
metahuman).
Casting is currently underway, with the hope being that an official
announcement is going to be made at this year's San Diego Comic-Con.
BY
NOAH DOMINGUEZ
Superman: Legacy writer-director James Gunn confirms the DC Universe film is

set to enter production in January 2024.
Clark Kent wears his Superman suit in DC Comics' All-Star Superman series.
Superman: Legacy writer-director James Gunn has confirmed that cameras are
set to start rolling on the DC Universe film at the top of next year.
Last month, Heroic Hollywood reported that Superman: Legacy was set to start
filming in January 2024. Gunn himself has now confirmed this as factual as part
of a newly-uploaded WIRED Autocomplete Interview. "James Gunn is directing
Superman: Legacy," the filmmaker said in response to a frequently-searched
Google question. "We start shooting in January."
Of course, Superman: Legacy isn't the only high-profile superhero reboot

targeting a January 2024 production start. Marvel Studios' upcoming Fantastic
Four film is also reportedly set to start shooting that month. However, reports
also indicate that Fantastic Four's production start could be delayed if the
ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike lasts longer than six months,
though insiders see this prospect as unlikely.
As for Superman, it was previously reported that Gunn was prepared to support
the WGA's efforts by pausing work on the film in the event of a strike. The strike
ultimately did begin on May 2. Shortly after, it was reported that Gunn had
submitted his completed first draft of the film's script several days before the
strike officially began. Superman: Legacy is currently slated to open in theaters
on July 11, 2025.
Superman: Legacy Is a Tentpole of the New DC Universe

In October 2022, Gunn and Peter Safran were named co-chairs and CEOs of
Warner Bros. Discovery's restructured DC Studios. The two have been tasked
with rebooting the DCU, formerly known as the DC Extended Universe.
Superman: Legacy will be DC's first film produced under the Gunn-Safran
regime, with Gunn also writing and directing the feature. Legacy will follow a
relatively young Superman during his early days living in Metropolis as he
learns to reconcile his Earthly upbringing with his Kryptonian heritage.
Superman: Legacy serves as the first film in Chapter One of the new DCU, titled
"Gods and Monsters." Additional films that have been announced as part of
"Gods and Monsters" include The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl:
Woman of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing. Five streaming series have also been
announced as part of the lineup -- namely, Creature Commandos, Waller,
Lanterns, Paradise Lost and Booster Gold. That said, Gunn has teased that
"less than half" of the projects that make up the entirety of "Gods and Monsters"
have been announced.
DC Studios' Superman: Legacy opens in theaters on July 11, 2025.
Source: YouTube
An update about James Gunn's hunt for the DCU's Man of Tomorrow has been
revealed, including the fact the role is unlikely to be cast until San Diego Comic-
Con in July. Find more details after the jump!
By JoshWilding –
May 01, 2023
James Gunn is set to write and direct Superman: Legacy, and with the press
tour for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 finally at an end, the filmmaker can now
focus solely on that DC Studios project.
He's already confirmed that casting is underway on the movie and we now have
an update from Deadline reporter Justin Kroll.
"While I’m not sure on exact timing, when it comes to Superman, [I've] been told
audition tapes are still being submitted and every rep who has a client that
submitted one has been told that Gunn and Safran plan to watch everyone," he
explains. "I'd say a decision will come closer to Comic Con. So when it comes
to 'favorites' for the role, I’d tread lightly."
In other words, any casting rumours that start doing the rounds from online
scoopers in the coming weeks and months should be taken with a grain of salt!
This isn't surprising and it would make sense for DC Studios to save any sort of
announcement for this year's San Diego Comic-Con. After all, how better for
them to make a splash at the annual event (and overshadow Marvel Studios)
than with a Superman casting announcement?
Superman: Legacy won't be another origin story but the Clark Kent we meet for
the first time here will be a "cub reporter" in Metropolis and is expected to have
already met Lois Lane and, potentially, his fellow heroes (Gunn has said they
already exist in this world and that the Man of Tomorrow isn't the DCU's first
hero).


SUPERMAN & LOIS: New Promo For Season 3, Episode 7: Forever and
Always; Plus GOTHAM KNIGHTS S01E07
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU:
James Gunn Wants a Superman Who Has ‘Humanity’ and Is ‘Somebody You
Want to Hug’
By Charna Flam, Marc Malkin
Gilbert Flores for Variety
James Gunn told Variety Thursday night that his upcoming DC Studios movie,
“Superman: Legacy” hasn’t found its leading man just yet — but the production
is considering “some really great choices.” On the red carpet for Marvel’s
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” MCU actors, Pom Klementieff and Will Poulter
also teased whether or not they’d join the director for his upcoming DC movie.
Gunn explained exactly what he is looking for his Clark Kent. “The next
Superman has to be someone who has all the humanity that Superman has but
he’s also an alien,” Gunn told Variety’s Marc Malkin. “It’s gotta be somebody
who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has and be
somebody who you want to give a hug.”
As for whether or not Gunn is recruiting “Guardians” star Chris Pratt for the role,
he said. “It’s not Chris Pratt. If he was a few years younger, maybe.”
The DC Studios co-head announced in December he was writing the upcoming

feature, and in March he was then confirmed as the “Superman: Legacy”
director. He recently revealed that “costumes, production design and more are
now up and running.”
Klementieff, who plays Mantis in the “Guardians” movies, says she’s talking to
Gunn about crossing over to DC world. “We’ve had conversations and were
making plans already. But nothing is confirmed yet.” She has her eye on one
character, but said she can’t reveal who it is — just that she’s always “thought
the character was fucking cool.”
Though Klementieff may be joining Gunn for “Superman: Legacy,” MCU
newcomer Poulter intends to stay with Marvel. He revealed he hasn’t even
thought about auditioning as Gunn’s Superman. “Not until just now,” chuckled
Poulter. “No, I’m very grateful to be in this for the period of time that I am.
Grateful for that alone.”
Directed by Gunn, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” hits theaters next week. The
latest Marvel film stars Pratt, Klementieff, Poulter, Zoe Saldaña, Bradley
Cooper, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester
Stallone, Iwuji, Maria Bakalova and Elizabeth Debicki.
Read More About:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,
James Gunn,
Just For Variety,
Superman: Legacy writer and director James Gunn has assured fans the movie
won't feature a comedic take on the Man of Steel, while also sharing insights
into what he hopes to achieve with the project.
By JoshWilding –
Apr 26, 2023
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
While James Gunn found success prior to Guardians of the Galaxy, that was
the movie which put the filmmaker on the map. He followed the 2014 release
with a sequel before making the leap to Warner Bros. to helm The Suicide
Squad and Peacemaker after briefly parting ways with Disney and Marvel
Studios.
Now, as he does the round to promote Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn
has teased his future as both DC Studios co-CEO and Superman: Legacy's
director.
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn explained how going from a

filmmaker on the fringes of Hollywood to a bona fide A-Lister and studio boss
has influenced what he's bringing to the table for this new take on the Man of
Tomorrow.
"I completely relate to Superman because he’s everything I am," he says. "He’s
somebody who is an outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate
insider, because he’s [frick]ing Superman. And that’s kind of like what I feel
like."
"It’s easier to take a character nobody knows, like the Guardians, or

Peacemaker, and then do whatever you want with them," Gunn continued.
"People in every single country in the world know the story of Superman."
He admits to turning down a Superman movie in 2018 for that very reason and
went on to share some insights into what he now has planned for the character.
The trade confirms Superman: Legacy won't be a comedy and Gunn has no
plans to make Clark Kent one of the quirky characters he's known for; instead,
he wants to make a truly sincere superhero movie.
"How can I make it different from the Superman movies that have been made
so far, but also have it respect all the Superman movies that have been made
so far?" he asks. "So it just took me some time to try to figure it out."
Now that's been figured out, Gunn is in the process of casting the movie before
shooting begins next January.
Superman: Legacy is set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Superman: Legacy director James Gunn has shared more updates about the
movie with fans, including where he is in the casting process. The filmmaker
also reveals that DC Studios will not answer to Warner Bros.
SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn Shares Casting Update; Confirms

Warner Bros. Has No Power Over DC Studios
By JoshWilding
Apr 18, 2023
Earlier today, James Gunn confirmed that pre-production is officially underway

on Superman: Legacy. The filmmaker has since been fielding fan questions on
social media, offering a better idea of where things stand with the upcoming
DCU reboot.
Confirming the entire script is now finished, the DC Studios co-CEO also
debunked claims we'll learn who is playing Clark Kent as soon as the end of this
month. Over on Instagram, Gunn also pointed out that, "We are still auditioning.
No one is cast."
With that in mind, any casting reports should be taken with a pinch of salt,
though this could mean the trades will catch wind of who is being eyed to
replace Henry Cavill as the new Man of Steel.
One of the most interesting reveals from Gunn came when he confirmed that
DC Studios will not answer to Warner Bros. Pictures. Instead, it really is a
separate entity within the Warner Bros. Discovery company, similar to how
Marvel Studios reported directly to Disney rather than Marvel Entertainment
after a high-profile split in 2015.
These comments are going to be welcomed by fans, especially as Warner Bros.
really dropped the ball with the DC Extended Universe.
It was under that studio's watch the Justice League debacle happened, a move
which created the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement and split the DC fandom
right down the middle. The hope now is that DC Studios can build bridges, and
a new Superman movie from Gunn is a good start (even when there are those
upset about Cavill's ousting).
With Gunn and Peter Safran in charge of DC Studios, the pressure is on them
to deliver. They'll begin next year with Creature Commandos (and possibly
Waller), but it will be the Man of Tomorrow's return that truly sets the tone for
what's to come.
Director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn has taken to Twitter to

announced that early pre-production is now officially underway on his upcoming
reboot, Superman: Legacy...
SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn Announces That Pre-Production
Is Officially Underway
News
By MarkCassidy –
Apr 18, 2023
85 years ago today on April 18, 1938, National Publications released the first
issue of Action Comics, introducing the world to arguably the most iconic and
beloved superhero of all time.
We've seen numerous big and small screen iterations of the Man of Steel over
the years, and James Gunn is currently working on an all-new take for the DCU.
Now, to mark the Last Son of Krypton's anniversary, the filmmaker has taken to
Twitter to announce that early pre-production is officially underway on
Superman: Legacy.
SUPERMAN: LEGACY Rumored To Feature A MUCH Younger Man Of Steel;
Lex Luthor Likely To Be The Villain
RELATED:
SUPERMAN: LEGACY Rumored To Feature A MUCH Younger Man Of Steel;
Lex Luthor Likely To Be The Villain
As far as we know, nobody has been cast as Clark Kent (or any of the
characters for that matter) yet, but we do know that a casting director has been
hired.
Based on a recent report, Gunn and co. will likely be looking at actors between
the age of 22 and 26. We've also heard that Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen will
appear (no big surprise there), and Lex Luthor will be the main villain.
Right now, all we really know about the reboot is that it's set to hit theaters on
July 11, 2025, and will focus on the early days of the character.
Who would you like to see take to the skies as the next Superman?
The DC Studios co-head is helming from his own script, with the film looking to
cast a new Clark Kent.
BY AARON COUCH
MARCH 15, 2023
James Gunn is officially making Superman: Legacy his next directorial vehicle.
Gunn has been writing the feature since before he became the co-head of DC
Studios in November, and it was widely expected he would direct, though it was
unclear given his duties overseeing the expanding DC slate with partner Peter
Safran.
Superman: Legacy will be the first big-screen feature of the Gunn-Safran era.
Warner Bros. has the project dated for July 11, 2025.
upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is
kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned,” Safran told
reporters in late January.
DC Drama 'Dead Boy Detectives' Moves to Netflix From HBO Max (Exclusive)
On Wednesday, Gunn explained that he hesitated to take on a Superman
movie, even though he was offered the character before ultimately taking on
The Suicide Squad for Warners. “I initially said no because I didn’t have a way
in that felt unique and fun and emotional that gave Superman the dignity he
deserved,” Gunn wrote on Twitter. “Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way
in, in many ways centering around Superman’s heritage – how both his
aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is
and the choices he makes.”
Even after deciding to write, he was hesitant to direct. Explained the filmmaker:
“Just because I write something doesn’t mean I feel it in my bones, visually and
emotionally, enough to spend over two years directing it, especially not
something of this magnitude. But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script,
and I’m incredibly excited as we begin this journey.”
Notably, this Superman will not by played by Henry Cavill, the actor who
portrayed the superhero in Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of
Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017), and who appeared in a cameo in last
year’s Black Adam. While Cavill believed he would be wearing the cape for
more films, after Gunn and Safran took over DC, it became apparent they would
be going in a younger direction for the hero.
Superman: Legacy will mark Gunn’s first time directing an A-list superhero. He
made a name for himself taking relatively unknown characters such as Marvel’s
Guardians of the Galaxy and turning them into household names. He also
elevated D-list DC characters such as Polka-Dot Man and King Shark to big-
screen status in The Suicide Squad, to strong reviews.
The feature is one of the projects Gunn and Safran teased as part of what they
have dubbed Chapter 1: God and Monsters, which is billed as an overarching
story told via different TV shows and films. Other titles include Supergirl:
Woman of Tomorrow and The Authority. Also on the big screen will be titles that
do not fit into their overarching continuity, such as Matt Reeves’ The Batman
Part II, due out Oct. 3, 2025.
On Friday, the Safran-produced Shazam! Fury of the Gods arrives in theaters,

the first of four DC features out this year that were made before Gunn and
Safran took over DC. In addition to his DC duties, Gunn is closing out another
chapter of his career, the one that made him a top director nearly a decade ago;
his final Marvel Studios film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, is due out May 5.
For Gunn, who counts Richard Donner’s Superman as a seminal theatrical

experience, the release date of Superman: Legacy is significant. “My brother
Matt told me when he saw the release date he started to cry,” Gunn wrote on
Twitter Wednesday. “I asked him why. He said, ‘Dude, it’s Dad’s birthday.’ I
hadn’t realized.” Their father died in two weeks before Gunn began production
on The Suicide Squad.
Reflected Gunn: “I lost my dad 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 film and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him.”
READ MORE ABOUT:
February 20, 2023

Responding to some questions on Twitter, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn,
who is writing the script for the new movie “Superman: Legacy,” revealed some
interesting details about the timeline of the film’s development at Warner Bros.
Discovery.
Firstly, Gunn revealed that “Superman: Legacy” has been in development

before he and Peter Safran took over DC Studios.
As for Superman’s age, in a recent press conference Gunn explained, “He’s

working. He’s a reporter. He’s at the Daily Planet. Again, we’re coming into a
world where superheroes exist and have existed. So, does that mean Batman
might be a couple years older than Superman? Yes, it could be.”
The The Hollywood Reporter speculated that Superman would be about 25

years old in the upcoming movie, Gunn clarified by saying that Superman would
be “younger than in his forties” and that he “might be” a little younger than
Batman.
“Yeah but people are speculating about both ages. All I ever said was
Superman was younger than in his forties and Batman MIGHT be a couple
years older than Superman.”
Gunn also confirmed that he’s “very far” into writing the script for “Superman:
Legacy,” but when asked about just how long ago the project was given the
green light and whether it was originally meant to be “Man of Steel 2” starring
Henry Cavill, Gunn confirmed that it was “always a separate project”.
However, when pressed on the timeline of the project, Gunn revealed that he
had been “hired to write ‘Superman: Legacy’ over six months ago,” which is
causing some concern amongst Henry Cavill fans as it would appear that
Warner Bros. brought back Cavill for his “Black Adam” cameo even though they
knew “Superman: Legacy” was in development.
James Gunn was announced as co-CEO of DC Studios on October 25, 2022.

“Black Adam” was released a few days earlier on October 21, 2022, confirming
that Gunn was not in charge of DC Studios at the time Henry Cavill was brought
in to film the cameo, but had been hired to write the script for “Superman:
Legacy”. While Cavill had announced in October 2022 that he was officially
back as Superman… it was only a couple of weeks later in December 2022 that
he announced that that was no longer happening.
It’s a confusing timeline and just proves how messy Warner Bros. Discovery
was in the wake of David Zaslav’s arrival as the new boss.
Either way, Gunn also confirmed that casting announcements should be made
within the next six months.
“Superman: Legacy” is scheduled to be released July 11, 2025.
BY
LEON MILLER
Superman: Legacy screenwriter James Gunn sheds further light on how the
upcoming reboot will portray the younger Man of Steel.
The DC Universe's incoming Superman is a "big ol' galoot," according to DC

Studios co-chair and co-CEO James Gunn.
As reported by /Film, Gunn discussed his approach to the Man of Steel in

upcoming franchise reboot Superman: Legacy during a recent press
conference. "I really love the idea of Superman," he said. "He's a big ol' galoot.
He's a farmboy from Kansas who's very idealistic. His greatest weakness is that
he'll never kill anybody. He doesn't want to hurt a living soul. I like that sort of
innate goodness about Superman; it's his defining characteristic. He's not [the]
All-Star Superman [version of the character], but again, I'm a huge fan of All-
Star Superman, and I'm very inspired by [that comic book series]."
Gunn's comments track with previous remarks by fellow DC Studios boss Peter
Safran, who described their vision of Superman as representing "kindness in a
world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned." Gunn and Safran are both on
the same page regarding Superman: Legacy's narrative, as well. The pair
remain at pains to point out that the film won't function as an origin story for the
Last Son of Krypton, despite being set early in his crime-fighting career. "It
focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human
upbringing," Safran clarified.
Superman: Legacy's Younger Man of Steel

What's more, Gunn previously confirmed that Superman will already know his
supporting cast in Superman: Legacy, unlike in previous franchise resets.
Whether this also extends to the DCU's wider stable of superheroes is currently
unclear. However, Safran did touch on the dynamic between the Man of Steel
and one of his staunchest allies: Batman. The DC Studios co-chair and co-CEO
said this incarnation of the Dark Knight "might be a couple [of] years older" than
Superman, as they live "in a world where superheroes exist and have existed."
Fans will have to wait until the DCU's new Batman and Superman are cast
before they know for certain which is the more senior superhero. This might not
be for a while, either, as Gunn recently shot down rumors that auditions for
Superman: Legacy are currently underway. The DC Studios boss tweeted that
"casting has not begun" on the production, debunking speculation that Tall Girl's
Luke Eisner is the frontrunner for the lead role. This aligns with Gunn's previous
statements regarding the casting process, which he said wouldn't kick off until
he'd completed the Superman: Legacy script.
Superman: Legacy arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.
Source: /Film
DC Studios' James Gunn Addresses Batman/Superman Age Difference In

DCU; Will Likely Direct SUPERMAN: LEGACY
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has addressed the possibility there will be a
noteworthy age difference between Batman and Superman in the DCU, while a
new report once again points to him directing Legacy.
JoshWilding |
2/5/2023
The DCU is moving on without Henry Cavill's Man of Steel, and a younger actor
is set to inherit the role in 2025's Superman: Legacy. It's recently been reported
that DC Studios' Kal-El will likely be around 25 years old, and James Gunn
revealed more details about this iteration of the hero during a recent Q&A.
"He's working. He's a reporter. He's at the Daily Planet," Gunn, who is DC
Studios' co-CEO and the movie's writer, confirmed. "Again, we're coming into a
world where superheroes exist and have existed."
"So, does that mean Batman might be a couple years older than Superman?
Yes, it could be."
That makes perfect sense, especially as The Brave and the Bold will see the
Dark Knight meet his son, Damian Wayne, for presumably the first time. When
that character was introduced in the comic books, he was 10, so this Batman
will need to be at least in his late 20s, if not mid to late 30s.
After all, the movie will feature other members of the Bat-Family, so if the likes
of Nightwing and Batgirl are going to appear, Batman will need to have been a
superhero for upwards of a decade.
DC Studios is taking an interesting approach to the DCU as they're throwing us

into a world that already has superheroes rather than starting from scratch. This
is in contrast to the MCU which, after introducing Iron Man, then started adding
new characters to its movies until we ended up with the massive franchise it is
today.
In other Superman: Legacy news, it's worth pointing out that The Hollywood
Reporter is the latest outlet to suggest Gunn will helm the movie as well as
writing it. "He wrote the first series out of the gate, the animated Creature
Commandos," the trade notes, "and is writing Superman: Legacy, which he’ll
likely direct."
Superman: Legacy is set to soar into theaters on July 11, 2025.
February 2, 2023
With the official announcement from James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, that
a new Superman movie titled “Superman: Legacy” will be released in 2025, let’s
take a look at what we know about this project to date.
What is “Superman: Legacy”?

“Superman: Legacy” is the title of the new Superman movie which, according to
James Gunn, will act as “the launch of the new DCU”.
The first of a new slate of films and television shows focusing on the DC
Universe of characters, the script for “Superman: Legacy” is being written by
James Gunn himself.
What the movie will be about remains unknown, but we do know that it won’t be
an origin story, it will however tell the story of a younger Superman.
Co-CEO of DC Studios Peter Safran said, “It’s not an origin story. It focuses on
Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.
Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a
world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”
While DC promoted the “Superman: Legacy” announcement using an image
from Grant Morrison’s “All-Star Superman,” it’s doubtful that the new movie will
be an adaptation of that 2005 comic book series. There’s no doubt however that
Gunn is drawing some inspiration from Morrison’s take on the character in some
form or fashion.
Superman: Legacy
It should be noted that Grant Morrison’s involvement with Superman extends
well beyond “All-Star Superman,” with the writer penning 18 issues of “Action
Comics” when the title was relaunched in 2011 for the “New 52” era.
Morrison’s most recent Superman story (from 2021) was a four-issue miniseries
in which the Man of Steel joined forces with Manchester Black and his cohorts
in “Superman and The Authority.” With “The Authority” scheduled as the second
movie to be released after “Superman: Legacy” in DC’s new slate of films, it’s
possible that there could be a connection between the two.
“Action Comics #1” and “Superman and The Authority”
What Does “Legacy” Mean?

The Oxford Dictionary describes the word “Legacy” as meaning “the long-lasting
impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a
person’s life.”
It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine Superman learning about his Kryptonian

heritage and, as Safran said, needing to work out a balance between that
knowledge while also adhering to the values instilled in him by Jonathan and
Martha Kent.
The word “Legacy” could also be DC acknowledging Superman’s importance as

the company’s flagship character and his 85 year history as one of the world’s
most iconic fictional characters.
Who Will Be Cast in the Role of Superman?
With James Gunn still writing the script, no casting has been done. In mid-
January Gunn responded to rumors on Twitter saying, “No one has been cast
as Superman yet. Casting, as is almost always the case with me, will happen
after the script is finished or close to finished, and it isn’t. We’ll announce a few
things in not too long, but the casting of Superman won’t be one of them.”
One thing we do know, Henry Cavill will not be playing Superman. Gunn and
Safran met with Cavill to inform him of their plans to go in a different direction
with the character. “In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier
part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill. But
we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about
a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”
Gunn also went to great lengths to explain to fans that they never fired Cavill.
He said, “He was never cast. He was in a cameo and that was the end of his
story. I like Henry. He’s gotten dicked around by a lot of people including former
regimes of this company. But [our] Superman isn’t Henry for a number of
reasons.”
Superman
Will Superman’s Costume Include the Red Trunks?

Just as there has been no casting decisions made at this point, it’s also way too
early to be talking about costume design. While Gunn did post a Twitter poll
asking fans if Superman should have the red trunks or not, he did point out that
the poll wasn’t an indication of anything to do with the upcoming film. It was just
for fun.
Trunks
When Will “Superman: Legacy” Be Released?

“Superman: Legacy” is scheduled to released July 11, 2025.
Rob Salkowitz
Senior Contributor
Jan 31, 2023,
Film Memorabilia Goes Under The Hammer At Christie's

LONDON - DECEMBER 16: Christopher Reeve's costume from "Superman" is
seen on display at an auction ... [+]GETTY IMAGES
It didn’t take long for James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new co-chairmen and
CEOs of Warner Bros. Discovery’sWBD -0.4% DC Studios, to show the world
that the DC Universe is headed in a different direction. The studio today
announced an ambitious slate of 10 new film, TV and animation projects under
the pair’s creative direction, centered on the theme of “Gods and Monsters.”
The keystone project is Gunn’s big reboot of Superman, Superman: Legacy,

which is headed for the screen on July 11, 2025. The film will explore a familiar
theme in the Superman canon, the balance between Kal-El’s alien origins and
human upbringing.
Universe,” said Gunn in the announcement. “Not only is Superman an iconic
part of DC lore, he is also a favorite character for comic book readers, viewers
of earlier movies, and fans around the world. I can’t wait to introduce our
version of Superman who audiences will be able to follow and get to know
across films, movies, animation and gaming.”
Moving to a Supes-centric model is a big but natural step for DC, after relying
on Batman as the main tentpole since the late 1980s. But fans of the Dark
Knight need not despair. The Batman - Part II, following on 2022’s gothic
version starring Robert Pattinson, will follow in September, 2025.
The upcoming slate of new films reaches deeper into the DC catalog, bringing
forward properties like The Authority, Booster Gold and Creature Commandos
alongside better known or previously established characters like Supergirl,
Green Lantern, Swamp Thing and Suicide Squad’s Amanda Waller. The latter,
with Viola Davis reprising the role as the no-nonsense director of the secret
organization ARGUS from Suicide Squad, Peacemaker and Black Adam,
appears to have a prominent role in the relaunched film universe. More
coverage on this from my Forbes colleague Paul Tassi here.
“As we craft the plan for DC Studios, we are thrilled to share with fans the first
10 stories they can expect from the unified DC Universe featuring some of our
most well-known characters as well as the next generation of marquee
characters” said Safran. “Chapter 1 tells cohesive stories that highlight love,
compassion, and the innate goodness of the human spirit, all designed to
minimize audience confusion and maximize audience engagement across
platforms.”
El esperado largometraje se espera para julio de dicho año y en pantalla

grande con un guion que está escribiendo James Gunn
31 de Enero de 2023
Escrita por James Gunn, Superman: Legacy llegará poco antes de la secuela
de The Batman, exactamente el 11 de julio de 2025. El próximo largometraje
marcará el inicio de esta nueva era de DC, aunque no será una historia de
origen. Legacy será el comienzo de la línea argumental que Gunn prepara para
DC y esta primera etapa se llamará Capítulo 1: Gods and monsters.
Se viene el nuevo DC Studios: confirmadas las películas de “The Batman 2″,

“Superman Legacy”, “Swamp Things” y más proyectos
Se espera además una serie sobre el universo de Linterna verde llamado
“Lanterns”, otra al estilo “Game Of Thrones” de Wonder Woman y una buena
lista que reveló este martes James Gunn
Al respecto, el copresidente de DC Studios está actualmente escribiendo el
proyecto, mientras se espera que acepte dirigirlo también. Con esta nueva
versión del hijo de Krypton, Gunn y su equipo iniciará un largo camino para
darle un universo de películas y series más compacto a Batman y compañía.
Gunn y Safran dieron a conocer algunos otros detalles sobre el relato,
ratificando que la nueva aventura de acción no será una historia de origen. “Se
centra en Superman equilibrando su herencia kryptoniana con su educación
humana. Superman representa la verdad, la justicia y el estilo americano”. En
conclusión, es bondad en un mundo que piensa que este valor está pasado de
moda.
Al final, los líderes de DC Studios se refirieron a sus personajes expresando

que buscan distanciarse de los buenos contra los malos. “Hay todo tipo de
personas realmente, casi santas. Superman está entre ellos”.
“Superman: Legacy" se centra en Superman equilibrando su herencia
Por qué Superman: Legacy es la primera película de la fase 1 de DCU
Superman: Legacy es un destello de su misión en DC Studios, ya que buscan

utilizar a los personajes más relevantes de la marca para llevar a cabo cambios
notorios. ¿Con qué fin? El de “hacerles justicia”, dando preponderancia a los
superhéroes que el público puede admirar.
Superman es uno de los personajes más emblemáticos del universo DC,

aunque cabe resaltar que ha sido un punto divisorio durante los últimos años
debido a sus interpretaciones en el cine. Que Superman: Legacy sea el punto
de inicio del Capítulo 1 del DCU es toda una muestra de lo importante que es
‘El hombre de acero’ en el centro de todos los proyectos que se vienen.
Sin más detalles por el momento, Superman: Legacy tiene fecha de estreno
programada para el 11 de julio de 2025.
Superman: Legacy Movie Releases 2025, Starts New DC Universe

BY
COOPER HOOD
New details about James Gunn's Superman movie have officially been
revealed, as Superman: Legacy will launch Phase 1 of the DC Universe soon.
Superman Legacy Announcement

James Gunn's Superman movie launches Phase 1 of the DC Universe, and
several new details about the reboot have been revealed. James Gunn and
Peter Safran took control of DC Studios as co-CEOs in late 2022 and
immediately began creating a plan for the next 10 years of the shared universe.
Very few details were confirmed in the time that followed, but the
announcement of a new Superman movie was among the limited reveals. Gunn
confirmed on social media that he is writing the Superman reboot and that
Henry Cavill would not return to play the Kryptonian hero.
DC Studios officially announced today that James Gunn's Superman movie will
launch DCU Phase 1 and confirmed even more about the film in the process.
The film's official title is Superman: Legacy and DC has set a July 11, 2025
release date for it. It is currently undecided if James Gunn will direct the movie,
but Peter Safran hopes this will happen. Following up on the previous
announcement that the Superman movie would feature a younger Clark Kent
but not tell his origin story, the duo teased that Superman: Legacy is about
Clark juggling his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. They also
said that Superman will be a beacon of "kindness in a world that thinks
kindness is old-fashioned." No new Superman actor was announced.
Why Superman: Legacy Is James Gunn's First DCU Phase 1 Movie
The announcement that Superman: Legacy is the first DCU Phase 1 movie from
James Gunn and Peter Safran is a reflection of their mission at DC Studios.
They want to use the brand's biggest characters and do them justice, prioritizing
the heroes that audiences can look up to. Superman is one of DC's most iconic
characters, but the hero has been a divisive topic over the last decade thanks to
his movie portrayal. Having Superman: Legacy be the launching point for the
DCU Phase 1 is an indication that they know how important it is to have the
Man of Steel done right and be at the center of the universe.
Superman's kindness and hopeful outlook on the world should be something

that James Gunn uses Superman: Legacy to begin establishing the DCU
franchise's overall tone. The co-CEO did tease that they are looking forward to
exploring all types of characters, including those who are much more morally
gray or completely evil compared to Superman. However, Kal-El's personality
and what he stands for can still be a foundation upon which the DCU builds.
Superman: Legacy launching DCU Phase 1 in 2025 as the first movie makes a
lot of sense in that regard.
How Superman: Legacy Can Set Up The Other Confirmed DCU Phase 1
Movies
Since James Gunn's Superman movie is one of five DCU movies announced,
the film can play a major role in setting up what will come after. The hopeful
view of the DC Universe in Superman: Legacy can be counteracted by The
Authority, which brings anti-heroes into the mix with extreme measures.
Reintroducing Superman in live-action will also be a chance to get audiences
ready for a new Batman in The Brave and the Bold. The DCU Phase 1 movie
that it could set up the most is Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow if a reference to
Clark's Kryptonian cousin comes, while Swamp Thing could not have many ties
to Superman:
The DC Studios bosses shared ten projects, talked the exit of Henry Cavill and
the potential future of Ezra Miller as The Flash as they introduced a slate of big
heroes and lesser known characters. "The stakes are massive for us and for
Warner Bros. Discovery," says Safran.
BY BORYS KIT
A new Batman movie without Robert Pattinson (but featuring Bruce Wayne’s
murderous son). A Superman movie on the release schedule (mark your
calendars for July 11, 2025). A Game of Thrones-style drama set on Wonder
Woman’s home island of Themyscira (Amazonian palace intrigue). And an
animated series already in production (Creature Commandos … wait, what?).
That’s just part of what will be coming to theaters and TV screens as part of DC
Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new slate.
The pair have been busy in the three months since taking over and combining
the film and television slate of DC properties, including live-action and
animation, as well as gaming. They revamped the way the movie and TV sides
do business, cutting ties with projects and creators. A writers room was formed
to find an overall story that will launch a unified DC Universe. Creators have
been approached. And a plan, at least part of one for what is being billed as
Chapter 1: God and Monsters, was formulated and a slate of projects put into
development.
Now after ambitiously promising fans that they would have something to show
by Feb. 1, Gunn and Safran have unveiled the first part of their slate. It’s a
combination of big and known heroes along with lesser-known characters, who
may just become big, like the once-obscure heroes of Gunn’s Guardians of the
Galaxy films over at Marvel Studios. The duo shared their plans Monday with
reporters in a petite and tidy screening room on the Warner Bros. lot in
Burbank.
“One of our strategies is to take our diamond characters, which is Batman,

Superman, Wonder Woman, and we use them to prop up other characters that
people don’t know,” explained Gunn.
And continued Safran, “To build those lesser known properties into the diamond
properties of tomorrow.”
While plans may yet shift, cautioned the duo, here is initial slate of Chapter 1, in
the order they hope it will appear.
Creature Commandos: An animated seven episode series, written by Gunn,
that is already in production. Originally a team of classic monsters assembled to
fight Nazis, this is a modern take on the concept. The voice actors have yet to
be cast but the executives are looking to find people who can voice the
animated characters and also portray the live-action versions when the anti-
heroes to show up in movies and shows.
Waller: A spin-off of Gunn’s own HBO Max hit series, Peacemaker, Viola Davis
will return as the ruthless and morally ambiguous head of a government task
force. It is being written by Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver, the
creator of the Doom Patrol TV series.
Superman: Legacy: The movie featuring the Man of Steel that Gunn is writing
and may direct, although no commitments on that end have been made. While
the two previous titles are meant to be “aperitifs,” in Safran’s words, Superman
is the true kick off for the duo’s DCU plans. “It’s not an origin story,” Safran said.
upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth justice and the American way. He is
kindness in a world that thinks that kindness as old-fashioned.” A release date
of July 11, 2025 has been penciled in.
Lanterns: Greg Berlanti’s long-in-the-works Green Lanterns TV series has been

scrapped and the duo have parted ways with the longtime DC series steward. In
its place will be a new take on the space cops with power rings. “Our vision for
this is very much in the vein of True Detective,” Safran described. “It’s
terrestrial-based.” It will feature prominent Lantern heroes Hal Jordan and John
Stewart and is one of the most important shows they have in development.
“This plays a really big role in leading into the main story we are telling across
film and TV.”
The Authority: a movie based on a team of superheroes with rather extreme

methods of protecting the planet that first originated in the late 1990s under an
influential imprint known as Wildstorm, run by artist and now head of DC
publishing, Jim Lee. “One of the things of the DCU is that it’s not just a story of
heroes and villains,” said Gunn. “Not every film and TV show is going to be
about good guy vs. bad guy, giant things from the sky comes and good guy
wins. There are white hats, black hats and grey hats.” Added Safran: “They are
kinda like Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men. They know that you want them
on the wall. Or at least they believe that.”
Paradise Lost: The duo describe this HBO Max series as a Game of Thrones-
style drama set on the all-female island that is Wonder Woman’s birthplace,
Themyscira, filled with political intrigue and scheming between power players. It
takes place before the events of the Wonder Woman films.
The Brave and the Bold: “This is the introduction of the DCU Batman,” said
Gunn. “Of Bruce Wayne and also introduces our favorite Robin, Damian
Wayne, who is a little son of a bitch.” The movie will take inspiration from the
now-classic Batman run written by Grant Morrison that introduced Batman to a
son he never knew existed: a murderous tween raised by assassins. “It’s a very
strange father-and-son story.”
And, importantly, it will feature a Batman not played by Robert Pattinson…
The Batman sequel: Pattinson will continue to portray the Dark Knight in at least
one more crime saga movie directed by Matt Reeves. That movie, the
executives revealed, will be released Oct. 3, 2025 and is being titled The
Batman Part II.
“2025 is going to be a very big year for DC,” crowed Safran. “Superman and
Batman within the same year.”
Booster Gold: an HBO Max series based on a unique and lower-tiered hero
created in 1986. Safran said of the series, “It’s about a loser from the future who
uses basic future technology to come back to today and pretend to be a
superhero.” Gunn described it as “imposter syndrome as superhero.”
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: Taking its cues from the recent Tom King-
written mini-series, this movie project promises to have a different take than
what most think of when the idea of Superman’s cousin comes to mind. “We will
see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by
loving parents from the time he was an infant, versus Supergirl, raised on a
rock, a chip off of Krypton, and who watched everyone around her die and be
killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life and then come to Earth.
She is much more hardcore and not the Supergirl we’re used to.”
Swamp Thing: a horror film that promises to close out the first part of the first
chapter.
***
Before audiences get to those films and series, however, there is a matter of
this year’s crop movies, starting with Shazam! Fury of the Gods, coming March
17, and continuing with The Flash (June 16), Blue Beetle (Aug. 18), and
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Dec. 25).
The duo are high on the quartet, made by the previous film regime and under
the aegis of DC Films, run by former head Walter Hamada. Gunn calls The
Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti, “probably one of the greatest superhero
movies ever made.”
He also said the four leads of those films could potentially continue playing their
leading roles in DCU projects down the line. “There is nothing that prohibits that
from happening,” said Gunn.
Among those actors is Ezra Miller, the troubled star of The Flash who has found
themselves in several criminal investigations, and pled guilty to trespassing
earlier this month, but who also told studio executives that they were getting
help.
Safran said the executives remained hopeful Miller was on a path to betterment.
“Ezra is completely committed to their recovery. We are fully supportive of that
journey they are on right now. When the time is right, when they are ready to
have that discussion, we will all figure out what the best path forward. But right
now, they are completely focused on their recovery. And in our conversation
with them, in the last couple of months, it feels like they are making enormous
progress.”
The duo discussed their approach to casting, whether it was returning or new
actors. The TV series will look to cast actors who will also play the parts on the
big screen. Just as John Cena played the violent figure Peacemaker in Gunn’s
The Suicide Squad then in the Peacemaker series, anyone cast in Hal Jordan
and John Stewart in Lanterns, for example, will then cross-over into the films.
“We don’t want the series to feel in any way like step-children or lesser than,”
said Gunn. “It’s just another way to tell a story.” (They like being able to spend
eight hours digging deep into certain characters.)
And they took on the touchy subject of Henry Cavill, tipped to return as
Superman thanks for a cameo in last year’s Black Adam, but who in the end,
will not return as Superman, much to the chagrin of a vocal fanbase.
“We didn’t fire Henry. Henry was never cast,” said Gunn. “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.”
He added: “I like Henry, I think he’s a great guy. I think he’s getting dicked
around by a lot of people, including the former regime at this company. But this
Superman is not Henry, for a number of reasons.”
And the executives also tried to walk the line of if and how to deal with actors
who stepped into controversy, with Shazam!‘s Zachary Levi being the most
recent example. On the weekend, Levi tweeted words against pharmaceutical
giant Pfizer, known for its COVID-19 vaccine, which many interpreted as the
actor having anti-vaccine views.
“Actors, filmmakers that I work with are going to say things that I agree with,
and things that I don’t agree with,” said Gunn, who in 2018 was temporarily fired
by Disney as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 due to old, offensive
tweets. “I can’t be changing my plans all the time because an actor says
something that I don’t agree with. At the same token, if someone is doing
something that is morally reprehensible, that’s a different story. And we have to
take that into account.”
Though the duo are working in one DC Universe, some stories will stand apart.
Reeves’ Batman movies and Todd Phillips’s sequel to the Joker will fall under a
banner titled DC Elseworlds, which will, just as in the comics, fall outside the
larger continuity of the DCU. The Black Superman project, being written by Ta-
Nehisi Coates under the previous regime, remains in active development and
would also fall under that category. Teen Titans Go, the popular and long-
running cartoon series on Cartoon Network also falls under that banner, the duo
said.
“The bar is going to be very high for projects to be outside the DCU, the
Elseworlds projects,” explained Safran. “But every now and then there will be
something that lives up to that.”
The duo are putting a premium on screenplay writing, saying that would prevent
the dreaded feeling of “superhero fatigue” and also give the projects a tonal and
thematic difference from each other. Gunn called out the degradation of
screenwriters in Hollywood and also said that the duo wanted to be respectful of
the voice of filmmakers they were working with … up to a point.
“It’s not the Gunnverse, it’s not,” Gunn said. “It’s got to be all these different
feels from all these different stories. That’s what makes it so fun. The stories are
completely different and each has the individual expression of the writers and
the director that are making those projects.”
But, he added, “We’re not stupid. Not every filmmaker is going to be happy.
Because if someone is doing something that isn’t working, we’re going to be
honest.”
Gunn and Safran’s hirings were the culmination of over a half year quest by
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to find someone to lead a screen
division of DC. In his own words, Zaslav was looking for a ”Kevin Feige,” the
storied and successful head of rival Marvel Studios, who has led the Disney-
owned company a seemingly an endless string of hits, all the while telling a
unified and interconnected story. Gunn became an A-list filmmaker under Feige,
who hired him to direct 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but he was quick to
note this is not a Marvel redux: “A lot of people are thinking this is Marvel 2.0.
It’s not.”
“Zaslav had a vision in mind of a standalone studio that would have everything
DC centralized,” said Safran. “And that was the appeal for us, coming in and
having access to any character, any story, and to tell the stories we wanted to
tell across all the mediums.”
As Gunn said, “the history of DC is pretty messed up,” referring to the turmoil
and dysconnectivity that has roiled DC plans of Warner Bros. Pictures for the
last dozen or so years. There was filmmaker Zack Snyder’s multi-movie
universe that sputtered half way through. There was an attempted course
correction by Joss Whedon, that maybe made things worse. There the several
changes in studio leadership and ownership. And there was the Arrowverse, the
successful if niche TV side of DC that aired for over a decade on the CW.
“No one was minding the mint,” says Gunn. “They were giving away IP like they
were party favors at any creator who smiled at them.”
For Gunn, being handed the keys to a comic book universe are like something
out of a childhood dream.
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Gunn described himself as “a lost, screwed
up kid” who didn’t feel like he belonged.
His father and mother were so concerned that they sent him to a psychiatrist
who advised them to take interest in his interests. Which happened to be
reading, writing, and drawing comic books. In one attempt at connecting,
Gunn’s father took him to Creation Comic Con, a big comic convention in
Chicago. It remains the best weekend he’s ever had, a time that solidified a
magic and connection to the medium and its colorful characters.
Gunn now wants to bring that magic and connection to moviegoing and TV
watching audiences by revamping DC Studios in a way that hasn’t been done
before.
“I have an incredibly deep connection to these characters, to these stories, and

to wanting to create that type of magic not only in the kid that I was, but in the
connection that I had with my father, with friends later on,” Gunn explained.
“And wanting to create a unified world in DC where we tell stories.”
In the end, both Gunn and Safran know not only what is at stake but also the
enormous opportunity being presented to them. For Safran, it’s the chance to
impact and change the culture, be it the company culture of how it approaches
storytelling to the broader pop culture.
Gunn lit up in giddiness at the pure magic of it all.
“This is a not only a once in a lifetime opportunity, it’s a once opportunity. It’s
me, now. No one has ever gotten to do this before. And how could I say no to th
BY
MARCELO LEITE
While not much is known about James Gunn’s Superman movie, the upcoming
Superman reboot is already similar to Matt Reeves’ The Batman in one way.
James Gunn’s Superman reboot is already similar to DC’s most recent

superhero reboot, The Batman, in at least one way. While it hasn’t been
confirmed whether James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU will be a
complete reboot, the fact that a Superman movie reboot is being developed
suggests that the DCEU, as audiences have followed it since Man of Steel, is
coming to an end. Gunn and Safran are crafting an interconnected DC universe,
while Reeves’ The Batman is leading to sequels and spinoffs.
So far, the three most recognizable DC characters are in “separated”

franchises. Nothing has been said about Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman future
following the Wonder Woman 3 cancellation, but Gunn’s Superman movie will
be a reboot, and Robert Pattinson’s Batman presumably exists in a different
universe entirely. Still, there are similarities between the upcoming Superman
movie and Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
James Gunn’s Superman Movie Won’t Be An Origin Story
James Gunn’s Superman movie, just like Matt Reeves’ The Batman, will not be
an origin story. While not much is known about the upcoming Superman reboot,
James Gunn confirmed that the movie will follow a young Clark Kent who is
already Superman. Gunn’s Superman movie is expected to see Clark Kent
meeting other important Superman characters such as Lois Lane, meaning that
it will be a new beginning for the character on the big screen, despite not being
a Superman origin story. That is exactly what The Batman did by following
Bruce Wayne during its second year as the Dark Knight, instead of showing
how Pattinson’s Batman story began.
As of now, there is no indication that Gunn’s Superman movie will take place in
the same universe as Reeves’ The Batman. In fact, both James Gunn and Matt
Reeves debunked the original report that the former was considering
incorporating Robert Pattinson’s Batman in the DCU. Even if The Batman and
Gunn’s DCU are not in the same universe after all, Matt Reeves’ Batman reboot
can serve as an inspiration for this new DC franchise. The Batman’s box office
and critical reception made it one of Warner Bros.’s biggest hits in years, which
is why the Batman reboot can and should be an inspiration for upcoming DC
movies.
The Batman Shows That Gunn’s Superman Reboot Strategy Can Work
Superhero movie reboots are often associated with origin stories. Nolan’s
Batman Begins and Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man, for example, both spent
around a third of their total runtime establishing how Batman and Spider-Man
came to be. However, given how much Marvel and DC content is now available
to the public across all media, origin stories are not as necessary as they once
were. The MCU’s Spider-Man reboot, for example, skipped Spider-Man’s origin
story entirely. Now, The Batman proves that DC can also skip the origin stories
for some of its characters, as audiences are already familiar with how Bruce
Wayne became Batman or Clark Kent became Superman.
So far, every Superman movie iteration started with an origin story. Both
Christopher Reeve/Brandon Routh’s Superman and Henry Cavill’s Superman
were introduced to the audiences through origin stories, not to mention the
several DC animated movies and shows that have recreated Krypton’s
destruction and Kal-El’s arrival on Earth. General audiences are familiar with
how Superman’s story begins, meaning that the upcoming Superman reboot
can jump right into the action. Skipping Superman’s origin story like how The
Batman skipped Batman's can also help James Gunn craft a new DC universe
quickly, as DC’s most important character will already exist in this new universe.
Mark Hughes
Dec 20, 2022,
Last week’s confirmation that Henry Cavill would not in fact be returning to play
Superman in any additional DCEU movies shocked much of fandom and
entertainment press (although it arguably shouldn’t have). The news coincided
with the 44th anniversary of Superman: The Movie, so this is a perfect time to
discuss rebooting the Man of Steel’s franchise and the legacy of director
Richard Donner’s genre-starting blockbuster.
James Gunn and Peter Safran, WBD’s newly crowned co-CEOs of DC Studios,
informed Cavill his tenure as Superman was over last week, after which Gunn
and Cavill took to social media to share the news and express their mutual
admiration. Cavill made it clear he was surprised and disheartened by the news,
particularly in light of the fact he’d quit his job headlining Netflix’s popular series
The Witcher because he anticipated the need to free up his time for Superman
projects.
Indeed, Stephen Knight — creator of another hit Netflix show, the spectacular
Peaky Blinders — penned a treatment for a sequel to 2013’s Man of Steel, a
sequel desired by WBD’s new CEO and President David Zaslav and certain
other executives, and Cavill filmed cameos for Black Adam and The Flash. The
actor even released a short video online confirming his appearance in Black
Adam and promising it was just the start of his return to the role.
So everyone was taken by surprise when Gunn and Safran chose to end any
plans for Cavill’s return. In truth, however, there were many reasons to suspect
a reboot was coming and that any deal between Cavill and the studio was
incomplete. There were few alternatives left for Gunn and Safran, unless they
chose to continue the current DCEU and merely put their own stamp on an
ongoing piecemeal approach that’s already stumbled each time it attempted a
“course correction” from the original plans.
Even restoration of the so-called “Snyderverse” would have still been essentially
tantamount to continuation of the current DCEU, simply making certain tonal
shifts and reincorporating plans for the Justice League sequels, bickering about
particular projects aside. So the question was, continue and hope audiences
can be won over again after four years of sub-$400 million box office outcomes
for major DC movies, or let it all come to an end with next year’s final projects
and close that chapter of the DCEU while preparing a reboot and entirely new
plan? (You can read my ranking of all of Cavill’s DCEU appearances as
Superman here.)
Granted, we’ve got to wait and see whether Gunn and Safran do indeed plan a
100% reboot, or whether they might use multiverse or other selective process to
retain certain elements of the current DCEU, or maybe reboot but within the
parameters of some existing particular film or series (such as The Batman, The
Suicide Squad/Peacemaker branch of the current DCEU, or maybe even
Joker).
Or perhaps they might consider both a reboot in live-action cinema plus an

open door to animated continuation of the current DCEU (or what could be
overall considered the so-called “Snyderverse” with Zack Snyder’s Justice
League the official canonical entry going forward) in elseworld anime series or
films on HBO Max and PVOD.
Most signs point to a full cinematic reboot and an end to the existing DCEU,
however, although I suspect we’ll see some continuity of certain creatives
involved in these films — Jason Momoa, for example, portraying Lobo in some
fashion seems likely (my guess would be as an adversary of Superman in the
reboot screenplay Gunn is writing), and Ben Affleck might wind up directing a
Superman movie.
I’ve even offered you my own personal picks for potential Clark/Superman
recasting — Nicholas Hoult, Corteon Moore, Darren Barnet, Wolfgang
Novogratz (thanks to James Prescott for that name as a good candidate), and
Regé-Jean Page are my current top five favorite choices right now, and I bet at
least a couple of them have come up in conversations about possible casting.
I’m especially enamored of the pairing of Corteon Moore as Clark, Naomi Scott
as Lois, Brad Pitt and Halle Berry as Jonathan and Martha Kent, Jason Momoa
as Lobo of course, and Denzel Washington as Jor-El, Brendan Gleeson as Lex
Luthor (think “Donald Trump meets Dick Cheney”), perhaps directed by Gina
Prince-Bythewood or The Bullitts.
For the record, I’m still guessing Gunn is the frontrunner to direct the film, with
Joseph Kosinski and J.J. Abrams as my guesses for who else is on their minds.
But I’d love to see Prince-Bythewood and The Bullitts in the running for
Superman and pretty much any other DC and Marvel projects.
When considering the right casting and approach to rebooting Superman, I think
it’s instructive to consider this anniversary of Superman: The Movie and what it
got right.
First off, I don’t think enough fans fully appreciate how much Richard Donner’s
film has meant in the history of superhero cinema. It literally started the
cinematic superhero genre. Before 1978, the only other true comic book
superhero feature film was Superman and the Mole Men, a one-hour theatrically
released pilot for the Adventures of Superman TV series, and nothing that could
be called a “genre” for these films existed.
The blockbuster success of Superman: The Movie and the fact it ended with an
announcement that Superman II was already planned, instantly established the
power of superheroes at the cineplex. It took a while for Hollywood to learn the
right lessons from Donner’s movie, but meanwhile that film set the template for
superhero origin moviemaking that is still used to this day to great effect.
The Marvel Studios shared cinematic universe applies a modernized but still
easily recognizable version of everything Superman did for its own films and
especially origin tales, as do many other DC superhero films including most
famously Batman Begins, Wonder Woman, Aquaman for example.
A recent 4K UHD HDR restoration of Superman: The Movie was released and
hopefully you’ve had a chance to see it, dear readers, because it looks
exceptional and almost makes a case for simply doing a modernized remake
because it got so much exactly right.
It’s depictions of Kryptonian technology, for example, it’s wonderful contrasting

of Clark and Superman, the mile-a-minute banter of the Daily Planet newsroom,
the loving and sometimes comparative and other times contrasting parental
aspirations and hopes of both Jor-El and Jonathan Kent (and how simply and
magically simply it states and depicts its those themes), the sense of humor
mixed with operatic gravitas, the iconic casting, and that soaring score by John
Williams — these are among the finest accomplishments of any superhero
movie ever made.
Of course, they won’t really do a remake, which was essentially attempted in a

roundabout way with 2006’s sequel-redo Superman Returns. And in truth,
there’s a pretty decent argument to be made that 2013’s Man of Steel likewise
is a sort of reimagining of Donner’s Superman and Superman II merged and
with a tone closer to Batman Begins — itself a modernized application of the
Donner Superman template, so one extra step removed from the 1978 movie,
so to speak.
But it’s a testament to the greatness of Superman: The Movie — particularly

how well it adapted the character and laid the foundations for what eventually
became the biggest and most successful genre in modern film — that a decent
argument could be made for just staging a very modernized reboot (with the
sense of humor in particular updated for modern sensibilities and less outright
camp at times).
So that is why a new rebooted Superman should pay close attention to the
resonant messages found in what Superman: The Movie and Superman II (both
the theatrical and Richard Donner Cut versions) accomplished. I know some DC
fans will hate me putting it this way, but it’s true. Donner’s films are almost
exactly what a “Marvel approach” to Superman would look like, because the
“Marvel approach” proudly admits its heavy influence and lessons learned from
Superman: The Movie, so we could say the MCU is a “Donner Superman
approach” to Marvel movies, too!
And whether fans who resent the comparison admit it or not, it’s a powerful
approach with enormous worldwide appeal still evident if you rewatch the 1978
film today. Next year is the 45th anniversary of Superman: The Movie, and it’s
the year we’ll get news of a new rebooted Superman. The new film shouldn’t try
to mimic or remake Donner’s superhero masterpiece, but it should definitely
look closely at it and take all of the right lessons away. And with James Gunn
penning the script, I feel confident it will.
Check this space again soon for more updates on the DCEU’s future, including
Superman, and meanwhile if you haven’t seen Superman: The Movie (and/or its
sequel) or it’s been a while since you saw it, give it a watch sometime soon
while you contemplate what the next era of Superman cinema will look like.
FORBES
LIFESTYLE ARTS
Mark HughesContributor
Jan 12, 2023, Hashtag activism is the popular stuff of superhero film fandom,
and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has faced a stream of such hashtag
movements about their cinematic DC Extended Universe (DCEU). But the new
#SellZSJLtoNetflix message is one of a rare few that seems crazy but actually
could work, and just might have some unexpected (albeit unintentional) side
benefits to consider. That’s why I think WBD selling the DCEU “Snyderverse” to
Netflix could surprisingly be the best option.
I want to be clear that I’m excited to have Gunn writing a new Superman movie,
and I’m eager to see what Gunn and Safran have in store for a new era of DC
movies. I don’t like or support the angry movement calling for the firing of these
two co-CEOs or for boycotts of upcoming DC projects. But it’s also no secret I’m
a big fan of Snyder’s DCEU and the other filmmakers’ movies arising from
Snyder’s original setup, and I’d personally hypothetically love to see Snyder get
a chance to finish his DC plans.
So if there’s a way to get Snyder’s vision completed, in a way that’s actually

advantageous for DC Studios and alongside the new films and plans Gunn and
Safran developed, I feel like it’s at least worth talking about.
I don’t write this to try to add pressure to DC Studios, or to in any way lend
support to the hateful “fire Gunn and Safran” demands. This is merely an honest
assessment of a new development that caught me by surprise and which I think
can benefit everyone involved, including WBD and DC Studios, and in ways
they may not yet realize.
So buckle up and give me a chance to lay out the arguments, and see if it
sways you, dear readers...
This latest #SellZSJLtoNetflix and #SellSnyderversetoNetflix hashtag trend is

an evolution of the “Snyderverse” and “Snydercut” movement, as it adapts to
the fact WBD’s newly created DC Studios is moving on from previous iterations
of the DCEU under the leadership of co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran.
There will be no return to the early vision and plans for the DCEU, which
included Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman,
and — for the dedicated Snyder fanbase — Zack Snyder’s Justice League (in
place of the theatrical cut of Justice League). Instead, some will reboot, others
will... well, we’ll see, but for now one thing is clear: those who want a
continuation of Snyder’s original multi-film arc plans are not going to get it from
DC Studio’s upcoming future films.
So, fans who previously launched the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement and
succeeded in helping convince WB and HBO Max to greenlight and release
Zack Snyder’s Justice League quickly moved to also launch
#RestoreTheAyerCut. I supported both of those (although initially my support to
release Snyder’s cut of Justice League assumed the film was only about 75-
80% completed and could be released as-is, akin to Superman II: The Richard
Donner Cut, until I saw more proof of just how far along Snyder’s edit was).
However, when a portion of the fanbase then began #RestoreTheSnyderverse

and called for boycotts against future DCEU films unless the studio reverted the
DCEU back to the original plans, I didn’t think it was either realistic at this point
or the best option anymore, for several reasons.
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First and foremost, Snyder had already moved on to original projects I was
more interested in seeing him complete. Plus, there was so much conflict and
bad feelings involved that I feared the whole thing would suffer or wind up
incomplete again amid inevitable divisions.
And I ultimately felt the DCEU was already settling into a new phase that either
needed to be allowed to proceed or just ended completely instead of more
tinkering and yet another “course correction.” At some point, constantly
reshuffling your movie plans and retconning back and forth undermines
audience faith in keeping up with whatever is happening in the latest films, and
the whole thing threatens to collapse under the weight of its own indecision and
perpetual revolution.
When some of the fans expressed a version of “RestoreTheSnyderverse that

meant just allowing Snyder to complete his Justice League film arc in a pair of
HBO Max streaming films to give that corner of the multiverse the finale it
deserves, I sympathized and felt it shouldn’t be too hard to convince HBO Max
to invest in animated movies to complete the JL trilogy plans. But my
expression of support for that idea met with quick and loud backlash from most
of the fans in that movement, who only wanted live-action projects and many of
whom outright condemned the notion of animated sequels as inferior and an
insult. So, I disengaged from them and haven’t participated in any of that
particular movement.
When Warner and Discovery merged and new leadership took over the film
studio, the Snyder fans thought they might see a surprise change of fortune for
their demands, since there seemed to be a lot of maneuvering to reinstate
certain key elements of Snyder’s original cast, as well as the departure or
unceremonious removal of executives toward whom this fanbase was hostile —
in particular, Walter Hamada. Fans got ahead of themselves with predictions
and false rumors that multi-year contracts had been signed to bring back Henry
Cavill and Ben Affleck for more movies and streaming series, all of it made up
by fans or spread by pseudo-”sources” with their own ulterior motives and
agendas.
Then came news of Gunn and Safran taking the helm at DC Studios, followed
by the announcement they were charting a new course for DC movies, word
Cavill was officially done playing Superman, and the cancellation of Patty
Jenkins’ plans for Wonder Woman 3. The fans erupted in outrage and spawned
a whole new set of hashtags, all boiling down to demands that Gunn and Safran
be fired. It also revived the #RestoreTheSnyderverse hashtag.
Now, however, with Gunn and Safran finished with their multi-year plan to
reestablish the DC franchises along a new path for the future and build
something that can stand alongside the success and acclaim of Marvel Studio’s
MCU, some of the fans have finally internalized the fact that Gunn and Safran
aren’t going anywhere and a new DCEU will be created. Some fans still think
they can hashtag their way to victory and win a complete restructuring of the
entire studio and a reversal of all plans and contracts in favor of a new slate that
puts everything back the way it was in early 2016, but I have to think most of
them must realize it’s been too long and there’s no real chance of that
happening.
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What I do think is possible, however, and what I also think is actually a smart
move for a number of reasons, is the idea that WBD could license a singular set
of stories and plans for development in a specific way by a particular set of
people at Netflix. I know many of you are shaking your head at the very notion
of it, but hear me out and you might find yourself supporting it for reasons you
didn’t even consider previously.
First, just consider it from a cold business perspective. If WBD announces a

willingness and intent to offer this opportunity to Netflix, it instantly “meets” the
demands of the fanbase and puts the ball in the court of another studio. If
Netflix is uninterested, then WBD can point out it’s not their own fault that it’s
not going forward. Likewise, if the projects fail to materialize or somehow fail to
meet with approval from the fans, once again WBD aren’t the ones who will be
blamed and the attention will be focused elsewhere.
In short, if WBD has no desire to develop any projects within the Snyderverse
anyway, and if they are seeking ways to develop and/or license properties to
maximize revenue, then why not license the Snyderverse to Netflix and be done
with any Warner attachment or involvement or blame from now on.
From WBD’s standpoint, either it works out well and DC properties have a
whole new successful licensed set of shows nobody will confuse with any other
DC properties (since it’s always only on Netflix and a very specific alternate
world for the heroes) and thus a whole new revenue stream and merchandising
opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t exist at all; or, it fails and the attempt takes
further wind out of the sails and nobody can claim the studio didn’t give fans
what they were demanding, and it’s unlikely any future movements could arise
at that point (since it will be several years down the road and other new DC
movies will already be in release in theaters, as part of the new overarching DC
Studios plan).
To continue a moment purely from the cold business perspective for WBD, the
major creative reasons offered in opposition to doing this are (a) it could distract
from or otherwise harm WBD’s own DC plans because of competing stories for
viewers to choose from, (b) it once again empowers a fanbase that has been
hostile to the studio at times and which previously said they only wanted one
thing but continued asking for more, and (c) it gives the power to make
decisions about DC characters to people over whom WBD and DC Studios
have no control.
However, there are good answers to those concerns. There’s also the separate
point that Netflix would surely balk at the notion of spending hundreds of
millions of dollars to make these streaming movies licensed from another
studio, but I’ll get to that point after I address the above primary concerns from
the creative perspective.
If hypothetically Netflix bought the license to make Snyderverse continuation

films and miniseries, it would be exclusively on Netflix and wouldn’t compete
with anything DC Studios is releasing in theaters.
Moreover, audiences haven’t had any trouble distinguishing between — or
caring much to even worry about distinguishing between — DCEU releases
alongside a solo The Batman rebooted franchise and a standalone Joker movie.
Likewise, the collection of shared-world shows Arrowverse on the CW, the DC
Unlimited series like Titans and Doom Patrol, and a plethora of animated shows
and films have all coexisted just fine in streaming and TV while the movies have
their own separate corners too.
Audiences just want great movies telling great stories, and they aren’t going to
punish or otherwise neglect DCEU cinematic offerings based on some
supposed confusion or clash with a series of Netflix movies in a separate
shared universe.
Additionally, the success or failure of a separate set of Netflix movies isn’t going
to affect the success or failure of DC Studios theatrical releases or other DC
series on HBO Max and elsewhere. If you need proof of that, I’d point to all of
the various Marvel-aligned shows that were on different services and channels,
some of which (like The Inhumans) failed miserably without remotely moving
hurting the MCU films and other shows.
Did the failure of the Green Lantern movie harm The Dark Knight Rises? Did
the success or failure of certain animated series and movies help or hurt DCEU
theatrical releases? I’m not saying that supplemental and related series or films
isn’t capable of having an effect, I’m just saying it doesn’t have to and that it can
be controlled either way, especially when we’re talking about streaming content
entirely apart from everything else and kept in one specific place.
Christian Bale stars in ″The Dark Knight Rises″

Christian Bale stars in "The Dark Knight Rises"SOURCE: WARNER BROS.,
PHOTO BY RON PHILLIPS
And frankly, I don’t think DC’s new direction and other plans will be so weak that
they could be hurt or killed by separate licensed content on Netflix. I think it
could all exist, live or die, and WBD and DC Studios would simply be cashing
the checks and being glad they finally got out from under the whole things while
being able to honestly say they gave these fans what they wanted.
On that latter point, that’s another huge advantage for the studio here — WBD
could honestly say they gave fans what the fans wanted by making the offer. If
Netflix declines, then what? Or what if Zack Snyder isn’t interested? Or what if
he’s interested, but it’ll be a few years before he has his schedule free to make
it?
Well, the point is, from the WBD business perspective, it doesn’t matter — once
the offer is made, it’s up to Netflix and Snyder to accept or decline, right? If they
accept, then the Snyderverse is alive again but is someone else’s responsibility
from now on. If they decline, WBD can say, “We offered, they said no, what do
you expect us to do now?” In the meantime, WBD and DC Studios would be
developing their own projects and plans, but now without the daily and yearly
conflict with that segment of fans.
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It will also help make it easier for fans who’ve spent years resisting any new DC
approaches, or who’ve refused to consider the new planned DC films, to give in
and come back into the broader fandom fold again. Instead of viewing new DC
projects as “opponents” that are in the way of what those fans want, it’ll be extra
DC storytelling in addition to the ones they want and are going to get at Netflix.
It’s easier to win them over because it’s harder for them to sustain anger and
opposition at that point.
If Netflix rejects the offer, then some fans will have a new place to focus efforts,
other fans will probably give up, and still other will hope a different studio steps
up to say “we’ll take that offer!” Regardless, WBD would be in a much better
position and could rightly say they’re making the offer and open to the whole
thing, and it would be pretty hard for anyone to blame them or sustain a
campaign against them at that point.
But if, hopefully, Netflix said “yes” and Snyder was on board too, then it
suddenly becomes a win-win for everybody. And then the only issue is making
sure the Snyderverse projects are as good as everyone thinks and hopes they
can be. But again, that is no longer WBD’s responsibility, they just cash the
licensing checks and merchandising checks (because of course such films and
miniseries would be accompanied by toys, shirts, etc — let companies bid for
the license to make and sell the Snyderverse merchandise exclusively too,
right?).
Remember, this is all regardless of how you feel about the DCEU or
Snyderverse, and regardless of whether it’s successful on Netflix or not.
Whatever happens, WBD has made the offer and handed off the entire topic
once and for all. It mitigates all future questions of “what next?” or fans wanting
more than they said they were asking for, because it’s somewhere else and
someone else has to answer those questions, not WBD. Which is what fans say
they want, anyway, right?
The concern about not having creative control is a non-issue, really, if the
licensing deal is smart about outlining exactly what this is intended to do — to
move forward with those Snyderverse projects consisting of additional Justice
League movies continuing ZSJL’s arc, the solo The Batman movie, Wonder
Woman 3, and a few others that were to round out the original overall DCEU
vision. By making sure to identify the scripts, outlines, stories, and treatments
that would be used and including certain conditions (like “Batman can’t eat
babies” or whatever objectionable or otherwise undesirable things they want to
ensure never happen), WBD can safely license this narrow pathway forward for
some remaining Snyderverse projects.
Now, what about the question of whether Netflix would even want to do
something this crazy. Well, for starters and without discussing finances for a
moment, the answer to the more general question “would Netflix want to license
the chance to make their own exclusive DC superhero movies?” has to be a big
“YES, of course they would.”
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Netflix already has a great working relationship with Zack Snyder, and even if
Snyder merely wanted to produce Snyderverse DCEU movies for Netflix rather
than direct it himself, I think the streamer could probably convince him to do so
and he would probably get a kick out of it. He might in fact want very much to
direct the JL movies, at least. But regardless, I think Netflix would be keen to
get their hands on the rights to develop a set of shared-world DCEU movies,
even if it was only within certain boundaries and limited to a specific number of
projects (perhaps with a right to request license extension if the first set are
popular enough).
The biggest obstacle from Netflix’s standpoint would be the cost to produce
these films. And that’s where the real major potential stumbling point comes in,
as far as I am concerned. Up to this point, I think there’s every reason for WBD,
DC Studios, Netflix, and Snyder himself to like this idea. But crucially, I think for
WBD a key component of any such agreement would probably be that the
Snyderverse continuation films must be animated.
If there’s one thing that could instantly make this whole thing seem much more
palatable and even desirable to WBD and Netflix, it’s keeping the Snyderverse
in animation format so there’s even less concern about “competing” with live-
action DC Studios projects, and so the budgets remain much more affordable.
A $40-50 million animated Justice League film would still cost a fraction of the
price of a live-action movie, yet would be enough to ensure even higher quality
animation and other production values than the usual DC animated movies.
Consider, $35 million was the budget of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinochio, which
looked spectacular. So for example, boost the Snyderverse film budgets to $40-
50 million and get two hours worth of animation similar to Berserk: The Golden
Age Arc Trilogy or Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence with CGI animation. Or, go
for something like Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade or perhaps Millennium Actress or
the original 1998 Spriggan.
The point is, for $40-50 million, any of those anime approaches would result in
some exceptional-looking animated Snyderverse films, and at that price Netflix
might be far more tempted to accept such an offer from WBD since they could
essentially make Snyder’s two JL sequels, The Batman, and Wonder Woman 3
for the combined price of just one live-action JL sequel. Throw in Man of Steel
2, and that’s five big IP superhero movies with a large and loyal fanbase for
about $200-250 million spread across several years. I call that a bargain.
Putting aside the issue of fans who knee-jerk reject the suggestion of animated
continuation of the Snyderverse for a moment, the idea has lots of potential and
would fit nicely with Netflix’s approach to content, it would be a wonderful
opportunity to continue the Snyderverse, Snyder is a fan of anime and might dig
the approach as a way to get it done when no other options are realistically
likely to materialize.
Netflix is probably unlikely to spend the money necessary to bring back the
original Snyderverse cast for live-action big-budget movies, and WBD is unlikely
to agree to let another studio make big-budget live-action DC films regardless of
my arguments for why it wouldn’t really hurt DC Studio’s own plans —
especially the issue of the Snyderverse potentially involving characters or plot
points that DC Studios might plan to incorporate into their own live-action
theatrical releases.
It is also much more likely that all of the original cast could return to voice their
characters, and for more affordable costs, than trying to wrangle them all again
for multiple long productions in live-action. To really see this all done in the next
few/several years, and to fit within everyone’s schedules at this point, I strongly
suspect animation fits far better and has greater odds of success in these
regards.
The fandom, as noted, will divide over whether anime is an acceptable

approach to the Snyderverse, but if this is the only hope for seeing it continue
and if the results are as high-quality as the animated examples mentioned
above, and if Snyder is directly involved, I don’t see how any fans could
seriously complain about getting what they’ve long wanted from the filmmaker
they’ve championed, if he himself approved of it and made it happen. Animation
is a fabulous medium for storytelling, and it’s insulting to the artists and
filmmakers who work in animation to see it maligned by fans who act as if it’s
unacceptable as an option.
If WBD were on board, then this all depends on Netflix and Snyder liking the
idea and agreeing to those conditions — most importantly, probably, the
animation approach instead of live-action. But I think if WBD made the offer and
at least some of the original cast were up to return for voicing their characters
(or if there were other actors Snyder was happy to work with as replacements
for those roles), then I can see this appealing to the studio and to Snyder. But
nobody really knows unless/until the offer is made, of course.
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I think a proposal for anime continuation of the Snyderverse at Netflix, under the
production of Snyder’s Stone Quarry and within the specific parameters of the
original DCEU plans for JL sequels and a few specific solo superhero movies,
seems to be the best option available if WBD wants to move on while being
able to say they made the attempt to let the Snyderverse continue if others
wanted to do so, if fans want to finally see the Snyderverse completed, if Netflix
wants some valuable property to adapt at a reasonable price, and if Snyder
himself is still interested in finishing his story.
Whatever concerns and problems others feel exist, I think I’ve addressed the
main ones here and demonstrated why it can work, at least in theory, if those
involved could come to an agreement on the conditions. Obviously it’s not for
me to decide what conditions exist or who should/will agree, I merely say I think
this idea I’ve laid out here seems to fit the bill as a reasonable and acceptable
approach, and frankly I don’t see any serious chance of the Snyderverse
continuing any other way. And if it’s not done soon, then too much time will pass
and it will fade as even a hypothetical options.
Check back soon for updates and reports on the development of the new DC
Studios projects, and on Zack Snyder’s original projects at Netflix — next up is
Rebel Moon, and we should start hearing news about the spinoffs and sequels
to Army of the Dead soon as well. I cannot wait to see it and review it for you,
dear readers, so stay tuned!
Follow me on Twitter.
Mark Hughes
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Paul Tass
Senior Contributor
Jan 9, 2023
When the history books of the internet are written, there should be an entire
chapter devoted to the fanbase of Zack Snyder’s Justice League and the
“Snyderverse.” It’s a group that is more passionate about the superhero
universe than fans of any other piece of media I’ve ever seen, so much so they
frequently come off as…quite delusional.
I understand why they believe in themselves. It’s true that after years of online
campaigning, they did in fact get Warner Bros. to release the Snyder Cut of the
Justice League (even if that was mainly just an obvious ploy to get HBO Max
subs). But that was only just the start, and the campaign after that was to get
Snyder to return to finish out his original Justice League storyline, along with
fleshing out side projects like a Ben Affleck Batman movie or an Ayer cut of the
original Suicide Squad.
But times have changed. DC now has a firm, non-Snyder-based direction that is
actually, actively dismantling most of the remaining Snyder-started DCEU. That
would be the hiring of James Gunn and Peter Safran, who announced that
Snyder-hired Henry Cavill would not return as Superman, and obviously no one
is going to bring back Snyder himself to finish out Justice League’s arc in this
new era. That has led to some campaigns where hashtags like
#FireJamesGunn trends daily.
Some in the Snyder movement are trying to do something more positive,
however, rather than focusing on getting James Gunn fired. Positive but…one
of the craziest things I’ve probably heard this movement propose, and that’s
saying something.
The current pitch is that WB Discovery can keep James Gunn and this new DC
universe he’s building but they should sell the rights to Zack Snyder’s
Snyderverse…to Netflix.
.
And yet it is hard to see this as anything other than fan fiction as the logistics of
this as a serious proposal are just…hard to fathom.
On the Warner Bros side: Why would they agree to spinning out what would
essentially be a competing DC universe to their own, freshly rebooted DC
universe? What amount of money could possibly make that worthwhile to them?
And it wouldn’t just be a rival universe, it would be something airing on their
biggest competitor’s platform. We’re talking billions of dollars in terms of making
this deal worthwhile on their end, and even then, it still may not be worth it
because of the convoluted mess it would produce for DC.
On the Netflix side: Why would Netflix pay billions of dollars to access the
Snyderverse, and then on top of that, presumably have to fund some of the
most massively expensive types of movies in existence, superhero crossover
films, like the two Justice League sequels fans want? And they’d be doing it
without any promise of box office returns because Netflix does not make movies
that do lengthy theatrical runs. So even if you want to make the argument that
the Snyderverse was a financial windfall for WB (debatable), that hinged entirely
on those movies being in theaters. And as vocal as they may be, there are not
enough Snyderverse die-hard fans on earth that would drive enough new
subscribers to Netflix to make this a worthwhile content purchase.
While I agree that this is better than a #FireJamesGunn movement, it is also

one of the most ludicrous media proposals I’ve ever seen. But expect to see it
trending often, culminating in what appears to be a big push in February,
according to the instructions I’m seeing online. Good luck, you’ll need it.
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Dani Di Placido
Senior Contributor
I write about film, television, pop culture, and other fun stuff.
Dec 20, 2022,
The hashtag #fireJamesGunn has been trending on Twitter ever since there
was a major shift from DC Studios, when newly crowned co-CEO James Gunn
confirmed that Henry Cavill would not be returning as Superman.
The announcement came as a major shock to the DC fandom, who had been
lead to believe that Cavill would don the cape again, as the post-credits scene
to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s much-hyped superhero flick Black Adam
heavily implied that the titular character would come into conflict with Superman
in a sequel.
Following the template created by Marvel Studios, DC’s superhero films often
tease future crossovers with a post-credits scene; unlike Marvel, DC rarely
follows through, as the overarching plan for the cinematic universe has been in
flux ever since Joss Whedon’s Justice League was panned by fans and critics.
Gunn, who previously wrote and directed Guardians of the Galaxy for Marvel,
as well as The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker for DC, promised that
Superman was “a huge priority, if not the biggest priority,” and that he had been
writing a fresh take on the character for some time.
Gunn has a strong resume; in a crowded landscape of caped crusaders, his
Peacemaker series was heralded as one of the most compelling superhero
stories out there, despite starring an incredibly obscure character.
But many DC fans found Cavill, with his chiseled features and public persona as
an enthusiastic nerd, to be the perfect fit for Superman, having never really
given the opportunity to play a comic-accurate version of the character. Cavill’s
previous appearances as Superman saw him murder an opponent, dying and
then hastily resurrected, then briefly becoming a villain.
Many DC fans either loved Cavill’s Superman, or hoped to see Cavill given
better material. A significant segment of the outcry has come from Zack Snyder
fans, who are known for being extremely … persistent, having previously
orchestrated a lengthy social media campaign demanding that Snyder finish his
cut of Justice League; Warner Bros. eventually succumbed to the pressure, and
gave Snyder $70 million to finish the film and put it on HBO Max.
Snyder fans also have a reputation for being melodramatic and aggressive; the
tweets aimed at Gunn are full of insults and expletives.
After several days of #fireJamesGunn trending, Gunn responded on Twitter,

assuring concerned fans that he was taking the responsibility seriously. Gunn
also took a firmer tone, acknowledging that he had been harassed, writing:
“No one loves to be harassed or called names – but, to be frank, we’ve been
through significantly worse. Disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our
actions.”
Gunn has endured controversy before, having been “canceled,” ousted from
Marvel after his unpleasant, offensive jokes on Twitter were brought to light;
Gunn went on to direct The Suicide Squad for DC, before returning to Marvel to
continue the Guardians trilogy.
In his thread, Gunn implied that he had been expecting a major backlash from a
segment of the fandom:
“One of the things Peter & I were aware of when we took the job as heads of
DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well,
uproarious & unkind, to say the least.”
In his thread, Gunn effectively told the DC fans that he was never going to
respond to their form of activism, i.e., the “disrespectful outcry.” Snyder Cut fans
campaigned for years to get their film completed, against unlikely odds, so
Gunn might find himself repeating his words in the future.
The Superman announcement was another dramatic shift in direction from DC

Studios, as a slate of films and television shows have been canceled or
completely scrapped by Warner Bros., such as Batgirl and the planned Wonder
Woman 3. Existing shows, such as Westworld, have even stripped from HBO
Max, allegedly for the sake of a few tax write-offs.
The upcoming Flash movie, starring Ezra Miller, somehow survived the cuts,
but the film has been riddled with controversy ever since Miller allegedly went
on a crime spree. The film is believed to spark a hard reset of the DC universe
through a multiverse/time travel plotline, but it is unclear what exactly Gunn has
planned.
Meanwhile, the sequels to Todd Phillips’ Joker and Matt Reeves’ The Batman
have been left to go in their own direction; both of the franchises are relatively
grounded and seem unlikely to connect to the interstellar exploits of Superman
and the Justice League.
While the DC universe has been a mess for a very long time, Gunn seems
intent on bringing the house in order, promising to prioritize story. Gunn has
proved himself to be a good writer, and knows how to craft compelling
characters; it seems a safe enough bet to trust his instincts. After all, DC has
always seemed a little confused by Superman, a character who seems out of
time in the current era.
Fandoms are notoriously defensive and emotional when it comes to their

chosen franchises, and are often wrong about casting and creative decisions
(when Heath Ledger was first announced as the Joker, DC fans were livid;
Ledger’s performance is now considered iconic, and continues to influence
depictions of the character).
Hopefully, Gunn's brief stint being “canceled” has prepared him for the tsunami
of furious fans; the onslaught seems likely to continue for some time.
Follow me on Twitter. Check out my website.

I'm fascinated by all forms of storytelling; movies, television, mythology, fairy
tales, and urban legends.
BY AARON COUCH, BORYS KIT
DECEMBER 16, 2022
Nearly two months to the day after Henry Cavill declared on Instagram he was
back as Superman — “I wanted to make it official,” he said in the Oct. 24 clip —
the actor was forced to acknowledge that no, he will not be back after all as new
DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran chart a new course for the
Man of Steel in a movie to be written by Gunn, which will feature a younger
actor in the lead role.
“I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,” Cavill said in a new post on
Instagram on Dec. 14, “After being told by the studio to announce my return
back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The
changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and
Peter have a universe to build.”
Henry Cavill on Not Returning as Superman: "This News Isn't the Easiest"
The sunsetting of Cavill’s time as Superman was the clearest indication yet that
Gunn and Safran are mounting a substantial overhaul of DC, a reboot that will
cut significant, if not most, ties to the previous regimes that handled DC movies
for Warner Bros. Cavill also shot a cameo in The Flash, one of four DC movies
set to release in 2023, but sources say that cameo, along with that of Gal Gadot
as Wonder Woman, is now being cut given that the studio chose to not go
forward with director Patty Jenkins’ version of Wonder Woman 3.
Cavill found himself in a confluence of different headwinds at the studio.

Dwayne Johnson pushed for his return via the much-hyped cameo in Black
Adam and a potential linchpin for Johnson’s own DC universe franchise. But
Black Adam has grossed $389 million worldwide, its soft performance calling
into question Johnson’s much-touted plans for a sequel and an eventual Adam
vs. Superman movie even before Gunn’s decision. The studio had its own plan
as new film co-chiefs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy wanted to make a Man of
Steel sequel, having Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to write the
treatment. (Classic character Brainiac was to have been the villain of that piece,
a source says.)
“In the end, he was a pawn in Dwayne’s failed attempt to control a piece of DC,”
one insider observers.
Cavill, sources say, did not have a deal in place to return as Superman, only a
verbal agreement that the studio would develop future projects. He was paid
$250,000 each for his cameos. The actor in recent years had a resurgence
thanks to starring in Netflix’s popular fantasy series The Witcher, which saw him
earning $1 million per episode. Cavill left the show this fall, although it’s unclear
if the promise of more Superman appearances were behind his exit.
Gunn and Safran are well aware of the sensitivities behind axing the popular
Justice League cast by Zack Snyder as well as the sensitivities of parting ways
with high-profile and popular talent. Forgoing a call to agents or producers, the
executives met with Cavill to discuss their plans and seemed to indicate a
potential new role down the road. The pair have also made overtures to Ben
Affleck, aka Batman, asking him to direct a DC film for them while Jason
Momoa — who may be done as Aquaman — has met with the duo as well,
possibly about playing a new role.
Cavill has already lined up another franchise, War Hammer 40,000 at Amazon.
As for Gunn, he responded to a fan who accused Warner Bros. and DC of

stringing Cavill along to goose Black Adam‘s opening weekend. Said Gunn in a
comment on Instagram this week: “Everything with Black Adam happened
before I was around.”
A version of this story first appeared in the Dec. 16 issue of The Hollywood
Reporter magazine
SUPERMAN: 5 Reasons Why It's RIGHT For DC Studios To Replace Henry

Cavill (And 1 Why It's WRONG)
Henry Cavill's time as Superman is over, with the actor forced to say goodbye to
the Man of Steel as DC Studios looks to launch a new DCU. It was a bold
decision, but one we think was right...mostly.
HamiltonParker |
12/15/2022
As expected, DC Studios' DCU looks set to be a fresh start for this comic book
universe across film, television, and video games. It's an exciting time for fans
who have spent close to a decade frustrated by Warner Bros.' approach to the
franchise, but also one that's bringing its fair share of disappointments.
Days after we learned Wonder Woman 3 is unlikely to become a reality under

the new regime, James Gunn confirmed yesterday that he's writing a new
Superman film about a younger Man of Steel...and he won't be needing Henry
Cavill for it.
Fans are understandably upset, though probably not as much as the actor
seeing as it was only a few weeks ago he announced his return as Superman to
the world. It's a bally move on Gunn's part, but as much as you might not like to
hear this, we believe the filmmaker has made the right decision.
Then again, there's at least one reason it could be the wrong one.
By clicking the NEXT button, you can read our thoughts on why moving on from
Henry Cavill's Superman might be the best - and worst - idea for this new DCU.
Why It Was The Right Decision...

5. The DCU Needs A Fresh Start
Over the course of the DCEU's history, there have been some great moments,
a few fantastic films, and a lot of excellent casting decisions.
Outside of that, the franchise has been a failed experiment, unable to deliver
the same level of success as the MCU and telling stories that haven't resonated
with critics, fans, or regular moviegoers. For every Wonder Woman, there have
been about three Suicide Squads, and the DCU needs to go back to the
drawing board and start from scratch.
Keeping the DCEU actors, Cavill included, would be a major blunder. They're
massively talented and great as the characters they've been cast as - Margot
Robbie as Harley Quinn, for example - but for this 8-10 year plan to succeed,
it's time to move on from the Snyderverse.
4. Henry Cavill Is (Sorry!) Yesterday's News

There was a fair bit of excitement surrounding Cavill's announcement that he
would return as Superman, but it didn't break the internet. By the time Black
Adam rolled around, it had been five years since moviegoers saw his Man of
Tomorrow on the big screen, and interest had waned.
It's true that fans had held out hope to see more of the British actor as Clark
Kent, but that was drowned out by everything from #ReleaseTheSnyderCut to
all the other big plans we heard Warner Bros. had for Superman (and Supergirl)
on screen.
Simply put, at this point, any sort of Man of Steel 2 announcement would be
more of the same rather than a huge piece of news capable of generating a
suitable level of hype for the DCU as it enters this new era. It's time to move on,
something we're sure you'll agree with after our next slide...
3. There's Too Much Baggage

Zack Snyder did a lot of good in the DCEU, but his interpretation of Superman
was not for everyone. From the destruction of Metropolis during his battle with
General Zod to the way he ultimately dispatched that villain, this Clark Kent has
been divisive and controversial from the start.
We've since seen this Superman rock a laughable CGI jaw, murder Batman as
a full-fledged villain, and appear headless in Shazam! because Warner Bros.
wouldn't pay Cavill what he wanted.
Any sort of reboot could move on to some degree, but there's so much baggage
with this Superman, we'd always be forced to remember the past. Having the
actor reprise his role in the new DCU, surrounded by mostly new characters
and a vastly different approach to storytelling, would just feel awkward.
2. It Would Confuse Non-Fans

As comic book fans, we often tend to forget how different it is for regular
moviegoers - who make up the vast majority of box office takings - to
experience these stories.
Interest in the MCU has waned during Phase 4 because the regular Joe who
enjoys the spectacle of a new Marvel movie simply doesn't have time in their
busy lives to follow every single TV show in order to understand what's
happening. The concept of the Multiverse has confused fanboys, so how do you
think parents or causal comic book readers feel?
To include Cavill in a DCU that's clearly going to reboot this entire franchise,
making next year's The Flash near-meaningless, would be beyond confusing,
especially if his past is wiped away to accommodate new stories.
1. Everything About That Black Adam Cameo

If you're currently raging at James Gunn on Twitter for "firing" Henry Cavill, you
might want to think about aiming your frustrations elsewhere: The Rock, for
example.
Dwayne Johnson must have known he had a bad movie on his hands with
Black Adam, so, at the last minute, went around Walter Hamada in order to
orchestrate Henry Cavill's Superman return (they share an agent). From there,
he used the Man of Steel to increase interest in a movie receiving negative
reviews and hoped the cameo would guarantee interest in a sequel.
Instead, it's just shown that Johnson, and potentially Cavill, cannot be trusted. It
also means bringing this Superman into the DCU with the expectation that he'll
fight Black Adam, a crossover DC Studios is unlikely to want to make a reality
given the film's poor critical and commercial performance.
Why do we think DC Studios made a mistake by not moving forward with Henry
Cavill's Superman in the DCU? Continue reading below to find out!
...And Why It Might Have Been The Wrong Decision

1. Henry Cavill Deserved Better
Henry is having a tough enough time as it is, so we're not going to pile on the
poor guy any further. Everything we've said so far is hard to argue against, but
so too is the fact that the actor deserved better than this.
Since 2013, he had to deal with appalling creative decisions, poor management
from studio executives, and being shelved for reasons entirely out of his control.
Cavill always gave Superman his all on screen and has frequently talked about
his love for The Man of Steel; a character that he told the world he would return
as, thanks to Warner Bros., before being let go weeks later.
It sucks, and we wish he'd been given the chance to play the hopeful Superman
he wanted to bring to life on screen. Looking to the future, another DCU role
might be fun...however, we think it's about darn time Marvel Studios give him a
call and have him suit up as Captain Britain.
BY AARON COUCH
DECEMBER 14, 2022
James Gunn is making his first big move at DC and will pen a Superman movie.
The project will focus on the younger years of the hero, and thus he will be
played by a new actor rather than Superman veteran Henry Cavill. Gunn and
his DC Studios co-chair and co-CEO Peter Safran recently met with Cavill to
share the news, and to discuss ideas for potentially collaborating in the future
on something else, perhaps a different role.
At this stage, Gunn is merely writing the script, though he could potentially
direct depending on where his services are needed at DC Studios, according to
insiders.
“Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-
moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first
projects at the beginning of the new year,” Gunn wrote on Twitter Wednesday.
“Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be
focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be
played by Henry Cavill. But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re
big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together
in the future.”
Though this Superman will be on the younger side, he won’t be living in

Smallville but rather will be Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent, according to
insiders.
The news may be a surprise to fans who expected Cavill to return as Superman
in the near future. Cavill appeared in a post-credits sequence in Black Adam,
released in October, and the Monday after the film opened, posted a message
on Instagram announcing he was back as Superman. According to sources,
that Instagram message was sanctioned by Warners brass, before Gunn and
Safran were hired, thus the change in plans.
Cavill, who announced his departure from the Netflix series The Witcher
following his return as Superman, reflected on the change in an Instagram post,
writing, “I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the
studio to announce my return back in October, prior to [Gunn and Safran’s] hire,
this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is
something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to
build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and
the happiest of fortunes.”
Over his near decade since first playing Superman, Cavill has become a fan
favorite actor, first appearing in 2013’s Man of Steel, and reprising the role in
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017).
Since assuming their new roles on Nov. 1, Gunn and Safran have been taking
meetings with other key players in the DC universe. In addition to Cavill, they
recently met with Batman actor Ben Affleck to discuss the possibility of him
directing for them in the future, according to sources familiar with the
conversation. No deal is in place for him to helm a DC feature at this stage.
They also had conversations with filmmaker Patty Jenkins, who no longer will
be moving forward with a third Wonder Woman film.
Warners has also been developing a Black superman film written by Ta-Nehisi
Coates and produced by J.J. Abrams, and Gunn’s new movie is said to not
have an impact on that project, with Coates still working on the script.
Warners has long wanted Gunn to tackle a Superman movie. In 2018, after
Gunn departed Marvel Studios for DC when he was temporarily fired from
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, then-Warners studio boss Toby Emmerich
pushed for Gunn to take on Superman. Gunn opted to write and direct The
Suicide Squad instead. That movie also paved the way for Peacemaker, the
HBO Max spinoff starring John Cena, and gave Gunn a taste of worldbuilding in
the DC universe.
Still, Superman has long been a favorite of Gunn, who has been thinking about
this new movie since his early days at DC four years ago. Over the weekend,
Gunn marked the anniversary of the 1978 film by Richard Donner, sharing the
poster and reminiscing about seeing it in theaters in Missouri as a child. Wrote
the filmmaker and exec: “I loved it and it rivaled Star Wars for me. And the
score blew my mind.”
December 14, 2022
James Gunn, Co-CEO of DC Studios, took to Twitter tonight to announce that a

new Superman movie is in the works, which he himself will be writing… but
Henry Cavill will not be involved.
“Peter [Safran] & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more
over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our
first projects at the beginning of the new year.”
“Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be
focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be
played by Henry Cavill. But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re
big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together
in the future.”
While James Gunn says he’s been writing the script for the new Superman
movie for a while now, they still don’t have a director attached to the film.
Gunn did also state that the new film won’t be an origin story, just that the film
will focus on the early stages of Superman.
Henry Cavill posted the following message on his Instagram account:
“I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad
news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told
by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this
news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something
that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish
them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of
fortunes.”
“For those who have been by my side through the years… we can mourn for a
bit, but then we must remember… Superman is still around. Everything he
stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there! My turn to
wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a
fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards.”

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SUPERMAN LEGACY (2025) MOVIE

“Happy to announce that my frequent collaborator @johnmurphycomposer is

Murphy replied by saying, “Thank you James. So proud and excited to be

The cast of “Superman: Legacy” features David Corenswet as Superman/Clark

Directed by James Gunn, “Superman: Legacy” is scheduled to be released July

James Gunn Shares Photo of “Superman: Legacy” Storyboards

Superman: Legacy Storyboards

In an interview with Collider to discuss the making of “Guardians of the Galaxy:

“I do an incredibly in-depth treatment for every movie. I think of writing a

Below is an example of a James Gunn storyboard from that film.

The cast of “Superman: Legacy” features David Corenswet as Superman/Clark

January 23, 2024

Shortly after the SAG-AFTRA strike concluded, Superman: Legacy director

Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

"See what's possible in terms of stretching a character in different directions.

"Alopecia is an interesting experience to go through because it, more than

Superman: Legacy will feature David Corenswet as Kal-El/Clark Kent, Rachel

Talking to the Associated Press at last night's Critics Choice Awards,

During a separate conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Brosnahan shared

Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Filmmaker James Gunn recently answered a series of questions on Threads,

Asked when David Corenswet's Superman costume is likely to be finished,

Composer John Williams Walks Back Retirement Comments As Speculation

Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

DC Studios co-chair and Superman: Legacy director James Gunn comments on

DOCTOR WHO Showrunner Russell T Davies Credits Christopher Eccleston

The brief synopsis reads: "Superman, a cub reporter in Metropolis, embarks on

More recently, Sara Sampaio signed on to play Lex's assistant/lover Eve

Production is scheduled to get underway early next year.

Responding to a fan on Threads asking about how Gunn responds when an

"Because sometimes there’s something I as a writer understand that isn’t clear

As filmmaker James Gunn gears up to begin work on Superman: Legacy, he's

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Donner's Verisimilitude Sign

The cast of “Superman: Legacy” features David Corenswet as Superman/Clark

James Gunn Shares Update on ‘Superman: Legacy’ Storyboard, Superhero

Superman: Legacy is expected to arrive in theaters July 11, 2025.

READ MORE ABOUT:

As of now, Superman: Legacy is scheduled to be released on July 11, 2025,

After weeks of speculation, it was finally confirmed yesterday that Nicholas

The filmmaker and DC Studios co-CEO recently answered a series of fan

In yesterday's announcement, Gunn said: "Yes, finally I can answer, [Nicholas

On the page, Luthor's iconic bald appearance is typically attributed to various

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

The DC Studios co-CEO recently responded to some of these worries on social

One follower used Oppenheimer as an example of a movie with a lead

Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Nicholas Hoult and James Gunn

The cast of “Superman: Legacy” features David Corenswet as Superman/Clark

Directed by James Gunn, “Superman: Legacy” is scheduled to be released July

La producción de Superman: Legacy continúa expandiéndose. Esta vez, se ha

Nicholas Hoult interpretaría el rol antagónico de la película " Superman:

Asimismo, se ha confirmado que la actriz Sara Sampaio será la encargada de

Sampaio, quien también destaca por su prominente carrera como modelo,

“Superman: Legacy” despegará pronto