Everything We Know About James Gunn’s Superman So Far (2024)

The DCU will attempt to reinvigorate the franchise under the stewardship of James Gunn and Peter Safran under DC Studios. The first major film in the DCU will be Superman, initially announced with the Legacy subtitle. Superman is set to be one of the biggest films next summer, and it will also feature the release of The Fantastic Four. Gunn, who started writing the project before taking over DC, will also direct the feature, which will look to revitalize Superman, who hasn't had a solo film in over a decade.

Superman is currently filming in Cleveland and nearing the end of its principal photography. The upcoming film has a lot on its plate as it looks to help launch the DCU and its ten-year plan across film, TV, and gaming. Superman will bypass the origin story since "the film explores Clark Kent / Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his adoptive human family in Smallville, Kansas." It's unclear if any new details for Superman will come at San Diego Comic-Con this year since Gunn won't attend, but here's what we have so far.

David Corenswet Is Superman

• David Corenswet was cast as Superman after an extensive casting process.
• Corenswet is the 12th person to bring Superman to life in live action.
• Corenswet's Superman will be opposite Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane.

After several screen tests, DC Studios announced David Corenswet would be the latest actor to step into the iconic role of Superman and Clark Kent. The 30-year-old is a relative unknown but has been fan-cast as the Man of Steel for years due to his uncanny resemblance, and Gunn finally made the fan art a reality.

Corenswet will be joined by Marvelous Mrs. Masel's Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The supporting cast will also include many of the major players from The Daily Planet, including Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, and Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant. In Smallville, Pruitt Taylor Vince will play Jonathan Kent and Neva Howell was cast as Martha. So far, there's no word on who will join Marlon Brando and Russell Crowe to play the next Jor-El, if he appears in the film.

The Film Will Feature Other DCU Heroes

• Superman will be the first live-action entry into the new DCU.
• Characters like Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardener, and Hawkgirl have all played large roles in DC Comics, including some huge Justice League storylines like Dark Knights: Metal, and The Terrifics.
• The Engineer will be a key character in the upcoming film The Authority,

While Gunn stated that the film will focus on Superman, it will also introduce audiences to the DCU and the heroes who already inhabit it. Those heroes include Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawk Girl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.

It's also expected that Superman will set up Superman: Woman of Tomorrow with House of the Dragon's Millie Alco*ck tapped to play Kara Zor-El in the DCU. Another actor cast in the DCU who may also appear in the film is James Gunn's brother Sean, who will play Maxwell Lord, previously portrayed by Pedro Pascal in Wonder Woman 1984. Based on recent set photos, it appears that Frank Grillo will also turn up in the film as Rick Flag Sr. Grillo is already confirmed to debut in Creature Commandos and show up in Peacemaker season two. While Gunn has made it clear the 2025 film will focus on Superman, it will also serve as a universe launcher and build-out to the DCU by including several DC heroes.

Lex Luthor Will Serve As the Film’s Villain

• Nicholas Hoult formerly played Beast in Fox's X-Men movies.
• Hoult has auditioned for both Batman and Superman, losing both roles to other actors.
• Set photos of Hoult have shown him as Lex Luthor and with cuts and bleeding.

Most Superman films have featured Lex Luthor as the main villain; so far, that appears to be the case with Gunn's upcoming film. X-Men star Nicholas Hoult will play Lex, who will finally star in a DC project after losing out on the roles of Batman to Robert Pattinson and Superman to Corenswet.

There have also been plenty of other rumors swirling around about other villains who could appear in Superman. Early on, rumors suggested Brainiac, who has yet to appear in a live-action Superman film, would play a role. However, Ultraman, an evil version of Superman, seems likelier to turn up based on the Cleveland set photos.

Superman Will Don the Trunks Once Again

• Superman will feature a costume that blends elements from classic Superman costumes and more modern ones like New 52.
• Superman's costume has become controversial because of a plethora of set photos that have shown the suit in various unflattering angles, yet it could change when it's properly brought to life on screen.

One of the most exciting aspects to look forward to with a superhero movie reboot is how the heroes themselves will look. In May, fans got their first official look at Corenswet, suited up as Superman, getting ready for battle with a strange orb in the background. The look features a collar akin to the New 52 look, complete with the Kingdom Come symbol, a looser fit, the classic Superman hairstyle, and the return of the classic red trunks, which haven't shown up in a film since 2006's Superman Returns.

Set photos from the Cleveland shoot in June also revealed an even better look at Corenswet's bright Superman suit. The suit remixes old and new elements from the character's storied comic book history, including the "S" logo on the back of the cape. The first look at Corenswet's suit underwhelmed some online, but the set photos have revealed a much better look worthy of matching the level of Henry Cavill's DCEU suit.

James Gunn Will Reunite With His Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Team

Gunn is a filmmaker who tends to collaborate with people he's worked with before and Superman won't be any different. Henry Braham, who has worked with Gunn on his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad, will be Superman's cinematographer.

The Superman theme in a film has become an iconic and key part ever since John Williams worked on Superman: The Movie in 1978. Hans Zimmer was able to craft his own recognizable theme for Man of Steel, and now Gunn will look to John Murphy to do something similar for the 2025 film. Murphy first worked with Gunn on The Suicide Squad, and that carried over to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The two will reunite on the third film in a row to create a Superman score worthy of its predecessors.

Fans have eagerly anticipated a proper Superman film for years since Cavill's role in the DCEU became secondary after Man of Steel. The DCU's Superman film has the potential to finally deliver a crowd-pleasing film featuring the Kal-El due to several promising factors.

Based on his work with Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, Gunn has become one of the best directors to helm superhero movies. Now, he gets to tackle the most prominent superhero with a talented cast and crew in front of and behind the camera. With the film a little over a year from release, plenty of more details will come as Superman looks to get the DCU off to a dream start on July 11, 2025.

Superman (2025)

Superhero

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Follows the titular superhero as he reconciles his heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth and justice in a world that views kindness as old-fashioned.

Director

James Gunn

Release Date

July 11, 2025

Cast

Nicholas Hoult , Rachel Brosnahan , Skyler Gisondo , David Corenswet

Writers

James Gunn , Joe Shuster , Jerry Siegel

Main Genre

Superhero