James Gunn Responds to Worries About Overcrowding of Superheroes in ‘Superman: Legacy’

Over the last week, it’s been revealed that the upcoming film Superman: Legacy, featuring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, will incorporate additional superheroes, leading some fans to fear an overcrowding of characters. Responding to these worries on Threads, director James Gunn assured that the film won’t lose focus on Superman, explaining how the other characters will contribute to the overall narrative.

Recent casting news for Superman: Legacy announced Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. A common concern among fans is that the film might prioritize setting the stage for future sequels over telling a cohesive story. Gunn, however, clarified this wouldn’t be the case for Superman: Legacy. He penned, “Never have I used a movie to lay groundwork for another. Characters are included as they enhance Superman’s story, not as a stepping stone for future franchise ventures. The spotlight remains on Superman and Lois.”

Gunn further explained the role of these additional characters in another post. He wrote, “We’re venturing into a world where superheroes are a part of the landscape and have been for some time. They’re just as integral to Superman’s world as Lois and Jimmy.” While Superman was the inaugural superhero of the DC Comics universe, there have been narratives where he is not the first. For instance, in numerous modern comic tales, the Justice Society superhero group was active during WWII, predating Clark Kent’s transformation into Superman. Clark (Tom Welling) even joins forces with members of the JSA in Smallville’s ninth season, who had been crime-fighting long before Clark and Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) took up their superhero personas.

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Superman: Legacy Will Spotlight a Younger Version of the Man of Steel

Upon revealing his involvement as the scriptwriter for the subsequent Superman movie, Gunn disclosed that the plot would revolve around a younger version of the character, sidestepping the origin story. Co-CEO of DC Studios, Peter Safran, shared, “The focus is on Superman’s struggle to reconcile his Kryptonian lineage with his Earthly upbringing.” Safran continued, “Superman embodies truth, justice, and the American way. His character is a beacon of kindness in a world that often regards kindness as outdated.” Gunn also divulged that the film would draw inspiration from the All-Star Superman comic book series, published between 2005 and 2008.

Superman: Legacy is slated for release on July 11, 2025. Until then, you can catch Gunn’s recent interview with FilmSweep about his latest project, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Superman: Legacy

More about Superman: Legacy

• Superman: Legacy Official Site
• James Gunn’s Thread Post
• DC Comics Universe
• Justice Society Comic Series
• Smallville Season 9
• Interview with James Gunn on FilmSweep
• All-Star Superman Comic Book Series