Despite his long-awaited return in Black Adam's post-credits scene, Henry Cavill's time as Superman is over. The actor played the iconic superhero in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, but when James Gunn and Peter Safran were tasked with rebooting the DCEU as the DCU, the actor was ousted from the role.
Now, the hunt is on for a much younger actor to play the Man of Tomorrow in Gunn's upcoming reboot, Superman: Legacy.
The filmmaker recently confirmed that pre-production on the movie has begun in earnest and Heroic Hollywood is reporting that shooting will begin in January 2024, with cameras expected to roll in Atlanta, Georgia. We're not surprised that will double as Metropolis as many movies, including most of those from Marvel Studios, have taken advantage of its surroundings and tax incentives in recent years.
Gunn has told fans that he was tapped to write Superman: Legacy for Warner Bros. six months before DC Studios' slate was revealed to the world, meaning The Suicide Squad helmer was likely working on the reboot before being eyed for the job of DC Studios co-CEO.
Superman: Legacy won't be another origin story but the Clark Kent we meet for the first time here will be a "cub reporter" in Metropolis and is expected to have already met Lois Lane and his fellow heroes.
Presumably, he'll be in his early to mid-20s, and there's already been chatter that whoever is cast will be expected to stick around for DC Studios' entire decade-long plan. Gunn isn't expected to cast his Man of Steel until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's press tour is over.
"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."
Superman: Legacy is set to be released in theaters on July 11. 2025.