SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn Says Reboot ISN'T A Comedy; Teases New Take On Man Of Steel

SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn Says Reboot ISN'T A Comedy; Teases New Take On Man Of Steel

Superman: Legacy writer and director James Gunn has assured fans the movie won't feature a comedic take on the Man of Steel, while also sharing insights into what he hopes to achieve with the project.

By JoshWilding - Apr 26, 2023 10:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman: Legacy
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

While James Gunn found success prior to Guardians of the Galaxy, that was the movie which put the filmmaker on the map. He followed the 2014 release with a sequel before making the leap to Warner Bros. to helm The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker after briefly parting ways with Disney and Marvel Studios.

Now, as he does the round to promote Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn has teased his future as both DC Studios co-CEO and Superman: Legacy's director. 

Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn explained how going from a filmmaker on the fringes of Hollywood to a bona fide A-Lister and studio boss has influenced what he's bringing to the table for this new take on the Man of Tomorrow. 

"I completely relate to Superman because he’s everything I am," he says. "He’s somebody who is an outsider who feels like an alien, but also the ultimate insider, because he’s [frick]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," Gunn continued. "People in every single country in the world know the story of Superman."

He admits to turning down a Superman movie in 2018 for that very reason and went on to share some insights into what he now has planned for the character. The trade confirms Superman: Legacy won't be a comedy and Gunn has no plans to make Clark Kent one of the quirky characters he's known for; instead, he wants to make a truly sincere superhero movie. 

"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?" he asks. "So it just took me some time to try to figure it out."

Now that's been figured out, Gunn is in the process of casting the movie before shooting begins next January. 

Superman: Legacy is set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 4/26/2023, 10:45 AM
I wouldn't mind it if Superman saving the universe by dancing. I know it's a super goofy thing to do, but it's definitely a unique way I hadn't seen before.

And I don't mind it if it has comedic elements. Man of Steel proved to me an all-serious Superman is just really uninteresting to watch.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 4/26/2023, 10:51 AM
Doesn’t sound like he gets Superman much, if at all, from what he just said, but whatever. Let’s just hope this vanity project of his isn’t another shitty Superman movie.
IMCOOLURNOT
IMCOOLURNOT - 4/26/2023, 10:52 AM
I'm sure he'll be giving us a better script than Zack Snyder. I think Zack is a good director for the fantasy/action movies but he should not be involved in writing or editing.

FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 4/26/2023, 10:55 AM
@IMCOOLURNOT - Snyder reminds me a lot of George Lucas. He’s creative guy that’s very passionate about his work and full of cool ideas, but he needs others to help him reign it all in.
IMCOOLURNOT
IMCOOLURNOT - 4/26/2023, 11:06 AM
@PlusUltra - I find he gets distracted a lot. Every time I watch him in an interview, he's all over the place. He doesn't just focus on answering the question he was asked.
Whoelsebutkevin
Whoelsebutkevin - 4/26/2023, 11:20 AM
@IMCOOLURNOT - Probably like me has ADHD, honestly I can bet on it but it also gives him a different perspective on things or how to see things.
Steel86
Steel86 - 4/26/2023, 12:32 PM
@IMCOOLURNOT - I've said for a long time if Zack could find a writing partner that could reel him in then he would be one of the best out there.
mountainman
mountainman - 4/26/2023, 10:54 AM
A Superman film can have light moments and comedy. That isn’t the problem. But the type of comedy matters. Gunn’s brand of comedy tends to be more juvenile, which can be fine in some of his projects. But not in a Superman movie.
RolandD
RolandD - 4/26/2023, 11:19 AM
@mountainman -
SpideyPuffsMJ
SpideyPuffsMJ - 4/26/2023, 10:55 AM
Really wish Gunn wasn't writing AND directing this. WB is desperate for success though with DC so they will let him do whatever he wants.
Steel86
Steel86 - 4/26/2023, 12:37 PM
@SpideyPuffsMJ - Its a fine line for Gunn here. I'm really interested in what he has in store. Because unlike Taika Waititi and Thor; Gunn is taking it very seriously and knows he can't do what he did before with more unknown characters. If you watch his projects he really does a great job with bringing heart into his films. I personally think this is either going to really amazing or super bad. We shall see.
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 4/26/2023, 10:57 AM
No one will mind a little levity in the film. We just don't want it at the expense of Superman. That being said I am really rooting for this because, as a Superman Fan, I've like I've been starving for a good movie - and I am someone who's enjoyed the Snyder Movies and even Superman Returns.
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