James Gunn Confirms He Will Direct SUPERMAN: LEGACY For DC Studios

When James Gunn announced he was going to be writing the next incarnation of Superman, I think we all knew he was also going to announce at some point that he was going to be directing it as well, and that day has come.

Gunn is officially at the helm Superman: Legacywhich will reboot the franchise once again and usher in the new phase of DC film Chapter One: God and Monsters. Gunn shared in a series of tweets:

Yes, I’m directing Superman: Legacy which will be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt told me that when he saw the release date he started crying. I asked him why. He said, “Dude, it’s Dad’s birthday.” I hadn’t realised.

I lost my father 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 movies and I wouldn’t make this movie now without him.

It’s been a long road up to this point. I was offered Superman years ago – I initially said no because I didn’t have a unique, funny, emotional way that gave Superman the dignity he deserved.

Then, just under a year ago, I saw a way out, in many ways centered around Superman’s legacy — how both his Kryptonian aristocrat parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.

So I chose to finally start writing the script. But I was reluctant to direct, despite the constant nagging of Peter Safran and others to commit (sorry, Peter).

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, in the long and short, I love this script and I’m incredibly excited as we begin this journey. #Up, up and away

It was previously revealed that the film’s story focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. It is explained that he “is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. It’s kindness in a world that he considers kindness old-fashioned.

I’m a huge fan of Gunn’s film work and can’t wait to see what he brings to this new Superman movie! Gunn’s script is based on DC characters. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. It will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

Yes, I’m directing Superman: Legacy which will be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt told me that when he saw the release date he started crying. I asked him why. He said, “Dude, it’s Dad’s birthday.” I hadn’t realised. pic.twitter.com/ohQNV8nI4g

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 15, 2023