Superman: Legacy has been announced for a while now, with James Gunn's involvement with the film believed to merely be in a writing capacity. Of course, even that was an understatement given his new role as the creative lead for the DC Universe movies and shows. It's now been confirmed that Gunn will direct Superman: Legacy, and this could be more pivotal than even fans realize.
There's a lot riding on the film and Gunn himself when it comes to getting Superman right. Likewise, its success will ultimately determine the trajectory of the soon-to-unfold DCU and said success hinges on whether Gunn can accurately portray the Man of Steel's mythos. Thus, pleasing hardcore fans, casual audiences and the box office coffers will truly be a job for Superman, though James Gunn will be the one to see it through.
Superman: Legacy Must Do the Opposite of Man of Steel to Succeed
Though the movie and Zack Snyder's DC films as a whole have a very passionate fanbase, it's undeniable that 2013's Man of Steel was a bit removed from what some fans wanted from the Superman reboot. Notably darker and less endearing than past movies, it paved the way for similar films to release in its wake. The 2016 follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was especially controversial, with many seeing its infamous reception as the point of no return for what was at one point referred to as the DC Extended Universe. Even if that sequel was successful, it came out of the gate stumbling due to how divisive its predecessor already was.
Superman: Legacy has to fly in the opposite direction, giving both Superman fans and casual viewers a movie worth rooting for. It needs to give audiences a version of the Last Son of Krypton that's relatable and far from corny while still retaining his classic sense of heroism and optimism. This definitely didn't come about with Henry Cavill's more solemn Superman. Given the fact that the actor's departure from the role was heavily criticized in its own right, delivering a knockout in Superman: Legacy is absolutely necessary to justify rebooting again. Hopefully, the positive reception from fans and critics will be rewarded in box office success, which is more important now than ever.
Warner Bros. took a bit of a financial beating following the merger with Discovery, and it's shown in the scarce money being spent to market its current crop of DC movies. The company is now waiting for Superman in a very literal way to save them from financial doomsday, but that won't happen if the new film is in any way scandalous. Getting things right doesn't just involve doing the opposite of what Zack Snyder did, however. It also involves director James Gunn doing in a different direction from his own past projects.
James Gunn Can Be More Than Just 'the Funny Guy'
James Gunn's previous films -- namely those involving superheroes and comic books -- have mostly been on the comedic side. The director behind Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn turned an obscure comic book concept into a household name through his zany, crowd-pleasing humor. These sorts of jokes were also present in his 2021 movie The Suicide Squad, which was seen by many as being far better than its 2016 predecessor. The same went for its spinoff Peacemaker, which clearly denotes a narrative trend with James Gunn and how he handles projects that he has control over. Unfortunately, it's led many to assume that he might not be a good fit for Superman.
James Gunn's sense of humor has become divisive given how much these types of jokes have infected the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. It doesn't at all fit the character of Superman, especially the raunchier bits employed in Gunn's DC work so far. By going against the grain and actually delivering exactly what fans want from a Superman movie, Gunn can prove once and for all that he's more than just a familiar set of gags and tropes. It would relieve skeptical viewers in a way similar to the positive reception given to Michael Keaton's Batman after many had doubted the casting. It'd also prove that Gunn was indeed the right choice to take over DC Studios by showcasing his understanding of the hero everything is based around. Fans will have to wait to see if he pulled it off, but if he did, James Gunn just might be super in his own right.
Superman: Legacy is scheduled to release on July 11, 2025.