Pre-production work on Superman: Legacy continues despite the Hollywood strikes, though casting has come to a halt with actors unable to enter talks or sign up for any future projects if they're a member of SAG-AFTRA.
With the WGA strike nearly over, chances are SAG-AFTRA will soon follow. That bodes well for Superman: Legacy being released in 2025 as planned as cameras are currently expected to begin rolling next January.
Now, writer and director James Gunn has taken to Twitter/X to reveal another source of inspiration for his approach to the Man of Tomorrow: Superman for All Seasons. Written by Jeph Loeb with art from Tim Sale, it was released to widespread critical acclaim in 1998.
Comprised of four issues taking place over Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, each instalment was narrated by a different character (Jonathan Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Lana Lang) and it was also named as inspiration for the Smallville TV series.
"Just received this stunningly gorgeous Absolute edition of Superman for All Seasons, one of my favorite Superman stories & a huge influence on Legacy ([and] a strangely perfect bookend with All-Star Superman)," Gunn says. "The late, great Tim Sales artwork [and] Bjarne Hansen’s watercolor work have never looked better - nor have Clark [and] Ma [and] Pa. Jeph Loeb’s elegant, confident story still sings."
It's hard to say what, if anything, Gunn plans to directly adapt from the story but we're guessing its tone and approach to Superman will be what he focuses on bringing to his big screen reboot.
"Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas," reads the movie's synopsis. "He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned."
David Corenswet is playing the Man of Steel, while Rachel Brosnahan has been tapped to star as Lois Lane. other recent casting additions include Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
Superman: Legacy is set to be released in theaters on July 11. 2025.