James Gunn confirms he will direct Superman: Legacy
James Gunn confirms he will direct Superman: Legacy as well as write it, having first turned the film down, with release set for 11 July 2025.
On 15 March 2023, the worst-kept secret in superhero cinema became official. James Gunn confirmed on social media that he would direct Superman: Legacy, not just write it.
What we know
Gunn had been careful until then to say only that he was writing the script. In a thread announcing the news, he revealed he had been offered Superman years before and said no, because he did not yet have an approach that felt fresh and emotional and gave the character the dignity he deserved. Writing the new film had changed his mind.
He also spoke movingly about his late father, with whom he had shared a love of comics, and pointed out that the release date was meaningful to him personally. Peter Safran would produce, and the film was dated for 11 July 2025, as announced in January.
Why it matters
At the time, fans had wondered whether Gunn’s duties running DC Studios would leave room to direct. His decision gave the new universe’s foundation a single, clear voice, and he went on to make the sequel, Man of Tomorrow, too. For the finished film, see our Superman (2025) guide.
From the archive: written in November 2026 from the original reporting linked below.
Questions
Who directed Superman (2025)?
James Gunn, who also wrote the film. He confirmed he would direct on 15 March 2023.
Why did James Gunn decide to direct Superman?
He said he had once turned the character down, but came to love the script he had written and wanted to make it himself.
Original reporting
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