James Gunn, the director behind the popular Marvel movie franchiseGuardians of the Galaxy, will be taking on the task of writing and directing the upcoming DC rebootSuperman: Legacy. Superman has been a cultural icon for over 80 years, with countless adaptations of the character appearing in various forms of media. From the classic comic books to TV shows and movies, the character has been reimagined in many ways over the years. However, withSuperman: Legacy, it seems that James Gunn is looking to take a new approach to the character. The official synopsis hints at a focus on Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing, suggesting that the movie will delve deeper into the character’s psyche and explore his dual identity.

In an interview withVarietyon the red carpet forGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn revealed that he is currently searching for the actor who will play the new Man of Steel. He emphasized that the most important qualities for the new actor are kindness, compassion, and humanity, which are all key aspects of Superman’s character.

Superman Legacy

“It’s hard, but we’re looking,” Gunn said. “And we actually have some really great choices, which I’m excited about. But it has to be somebody who has all of the humanity that Superman has, but he’s also an alien. It’s gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has. And it has to be somebody that you want to give a hug.”

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James Gunn Discusses Challenges of Rebooting Superman Franchise

The task of rebooting the Man of Steel for the big screen is no small feat, as it requires striking a delicate balance between honoring the character’s rich history and mythology while also presenting a fresh and innovative take on the story. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James Gunn shared his thoughts on thechallenges of bringing Superman back to the cinemain the upcoming filmSuperman: Legacy. He discussed his approach to rebooting the Superman franchise and the pressures that come with taking on such a beloved character.

While Gunn is known for his work on irreverent and comedic projects likeGuardians of the GalaxyandThe Suicide Squad, he emphasized thatSuperman: Legacywill not be a comedy but a sincere superhero story. The director acknowledged that while it may be easier to take a lesser-known character and do whatever he wants with them, the challenge of rebooting Superman lies in making the film different from previous versions while still respecting them.

“I completely relate to Superman because he’s everything I am. He’s somebody who is an outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate insider, because he’s f—ing Superman. And that’s kind of like what I feel like. It’s easier to take a character nobody knows, like the Guardians, or Peacemaker, and then do whatever you want with them. People in every single country in the world know the story of Superman. How can I make it different from the Superman movies that have been made so far, but also have it respect all the Superman movies that have been made so far? So it just took me some time to try to figure it out.”

Superman: Legacyis scheduled for release on July 19, 2025.