Soon, the world will meet a new Clark Kent in Superman. (Formerly titled Superman: Legacy). DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are rebooting the most famous superhero in the world as they transition the franchise from the DCEU to the DCU. Who will play the Man of Steel on the big screen this time around? What kind of story will we see him in? And who will bring it to life? We’re keeping track of all these answers and more.
Of course, if there’s one thing everyone wants more of in any superhero movie, it’s a friendly dog. Recently, comic book writer Mark Waid teased one appearing in James Gunn’s Superman movie. He noted on the Capes and Lunatics podcast “I have a good feeling about this movie… I like James Gunn. I like his reverential approach by and large to this kind of stuff. And reverential without taking it too seriously. The movie has a dog in it, a super-powered dog with heat vision, so there’s only so much… It ain’t Zack Snyder.”
Sounds like it could be Krypto to us, but we’ll take any super-powered dog, honestly.
Here’s everything we know about Superman so far.
Title
The DCU’s first official movie ( though not its first official release) is now titled simply Superman. Of course, the movie began its life as Superman: Legacy. It will kick off the film side of what James Gunn has called the franchise’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters.” He has also called this movie “the true beginning” of the DCU.
Superman‘s Plot
While the film still has no official synopsis, Warner Bros. did provide a description of what we can expect from the story, which James Gunn says is not an origin tale.
Superman 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.
Gunn announced the film with art from the cover of All-Star Superman by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Whether or not that means the story is influenced, inspired by, or adapted from the 12-issue comic series in any way is unclear. What Gunn has said is the movie will focus on “an earlier part of Superman’s life,” where he is still old enough to already be working for the Daily Planet.
We also have our first look at David Corenswet as the DCU’s Superman.
Superman‘s Cast
David Corenswet will play Superman, while Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane.
In addition, four more actors have joined the cast of Superman. Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will play Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion will play Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan will play Metamorpho. María Gabriela de Faría will play the villain The Engineer in the movie. Also known as Angela Spica, the character has nanotechnology built into her body. Additionally, Sara Sampaio will play Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo will play Jimmy Olsen, and Wendell Pierce will play The Daily Planet boss Perry White. Saturday Night Live‘s Beck Bennett will play The Daily Planet‘s sports journalist Steve Lombard. James Gunn has also confirmed that Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor.
Gunn also recently confirmed the casting of Ma and Pa Kent on Threads. Pruitt Taylor Vince (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will play Jonathan Kent, a.k.a. Pa Kent. Meanwhile, Neva Howell will play Martha Kent.
Behind the Scenes
James Gunn wrote the ( definitely completed) script and is directing.
Superman‘s Release Date
Superman will soar into theaters faster than a speeding bullet on July 11, 2025.
Originally published on April 11, 2023.
