James Gunn announces Superman: Legacy is in pre-production

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James Gunn took to social media on Tuesday to announce that pre-production has officially begun on Superman: Legacy ahead of its release in 2025.

Slated to be the first film in the new DC Universe, James Gunn began writing the film before he and Peter Safran were named as the co-chairs of DC Studios. Since that time it has also been decided that Gunn will direct the film.

I’m honored to be a part of the legacy. And what better day than #SupermanAnniversary Day to dive fully into early pre-production on #SupermanLegacy? Costumes, production design, and more now up and running.

He went on to show a photo of the cover of the script.

April 18th marks the anniversary of the release of Action Comics #1 in 1938.

No announcements have been made as of yet about the potential cast or the plot of the film.

Despite now being co-chair of DC Studios with Peter Safran, Gunn still has one Marvel Studios project left to promote. He is currently out on the promotional circuit for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and that included a stop by Rolling Stone. Gunn discussed that there were lessons he learned from his time with Marvel that would transfer into his time at DC, but it wouldn’t be anything specifically in Superman: Legacy.

“I learned so much from making these movies,” said Gunn. “But it’s not like Superman is going to have exactly the same vibe as a Guardians movie. It’s actually quite different.” He was asked if fans’ love for Rocket might make him consider using Krypto in his film. “I think I would have an interest in a live-action Krypto whether or not I had anything to do with Rocket,” he responded with a laugh said the interviewer.

Currently, the first DC Universe project to be released will be the animated Creature Commandos series, also written by Gunn. It will debut on Max – formerly HBO Max – some time in 2024.

Superman: Legacy will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.