Plenty of exciting details have been unveiled about the upcoming Superman movie in the rebooted DC Universe. This includes important information such as the release date, filming start date, and the official casting for the two lead roles. After director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran were named co-CEOs of DC Studios, they shared their initial plans for the future of the DC Universe in January 2023. The upcoming projects will expand the franchise across film, TV, and video games, starting with Creature Commandos, Waller, and Superman, with a new actor taking on the role of Kal-El after The Flash resets the universe.
The anticipation for Superman has been building up following the success of James Gunn's recent Marvel Studios project, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. However, there has been some controversy surrounding the news that Henry Cavill will not be returning as Superman, as Gunn wanted to focus on a younger version of the character. Superman has been a beloved character on the big screen since the 1940s with Max Fleischer's animated shorts. The new Superman movie will offer a fresh take on the iconic hero, as Gunn views him as a top priority for DC Studios moving forward.
Superman Latest News
Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman superman looks back in his cape with a badge - Superman Latest News
The DCU Superman movie's latest update involves its title change to simply "Superman", dropping the previously announced title of "Superman: Legacy" as per James Gunn's announcement in February 2024. In a social media post, Gunn shared that he decided on the title after finalizing the draft, indicating it aligns with the film's content rather than signaling broader changes in the DC Universe's direction.
Additionally, the post reiterated the movie's scheduled release date of July 11, 2025, as previously confirmed by James Gunn. This confirmation is significant given recent Marvel movie delays that affected future phases of their cinematic universe. Despite Superman's release date being a while away, knowing that the DCU's first film is still on track is reassuring news.
Superman Director Confirmed
James Gunn with the new logo for the DC Universe behind him. - Superman Director Confirmed
Superman Release Date
James Gunn and Peter Safran revealed the first phase of the new DCU in January 2023, naming it "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters." Despite Creature Commandos and Waller coming before Superman, Gunn and Safran see Superman's debut as the true start of the franchise. Gunn will write and direct Superman, but is looking for other creative minds to helm future DCU films like The Authority, The Brave and the Bold (directed by Andy Muschietti of The Flash), and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. James Mangold is set to bring Swamp Thing to life.
Superman in the comics with his cape flying in the wind - Superman Release Date
Upcoming DCU projects like Creature Commandos and Waller are expected to hit screens around 2024, while Superman is the only one with a confirmed release date so far. The latest Man of Steel installment is set to premiere on July 11, 2025, giving plenty of time for director James Gunn and the DC team to fine-tune the story. In 2025, superhero fans can look forward to Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four and the DC Elseworlds project The Batman - Part II, both scheduled for release that year.
Superman Cast
The logo on Superman's chest in the comics - Superman Cast
Actor Name | Confirmed Role In Superman (So Far) |
|---|---|
David Corenswet | Clark Kent/Superman |
Rachel Brosnahan | Lois Lane |
Nathan Fillion | Guy Gardner/Green Lantern |
Edi Gathegi | Mister Terrific |
Isabela Merced | Hawkgirl |
María Gabriela De Faría | Angela Spica/The Engineer |
Anthony Carrigan | Metamorpho |
Wendell Pierce | Perry White |
Henry Cavill will not be returning as Clark Kent in the DCU Superman movie, but James Gunn has found a suitable replacement. Announced in June 2023, David Corenswet will be stepping into the role of the last son of Krypton. Online discussions have often mentioned Corenswet as a fan-favorite choice for the DCU’s Superman, mainly because he shares a physical resemblance with Cavill and the late Christopher Reeve, who both closely resembled the comic book character. Gunn recognized Corenswet's acting talent and selected him for the lead role in Superman.
Rachel Brosnahan, known for her role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, will be portraying Lois Lane in the upcoming Superman movie. She was chosen over competitors like Emma Mackey and Phoebe Dynevor, emphasizing the importance of finding the right actor for this iconic character. Gunn recognizes the significance of Lois Lane's role in Superman's stories and believes Brosnahan's talent will bring the character to life when the film is released in 2025.
In addition to Brosnahan's casting, several other actors have been announced for key roles in the Superman movie. Anthony Carrigan will play Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and María Gabriela De Faría as The Engineer. The inclusion of The Engineer, a member of The Authority, hints at the possibility of other team members appearing in future DCU movies.
Recently, Skyler Gisondo was announced to play Jimmy Olsen, while Sara Sampaio is said to have been cast as Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor's assistant. Additionally, Wendell Pierce will be taking on the role of Perry White, Clark Kent's boss at the Daily Planet.
As for the crucial character of Lex Luthor, reports from November 2023 suggest that Nicolas Hoult is the top choice for the role. However, this has not been officially confirmed yet. With the movie set to start filming in January 2024, we can expect an official announcement soon.
Superman Story Details
Superman in the comics with the Justice League - Superman Story Details
Peter Safran, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, stated that the new Superman movie will not be an origin story. Instead, it will focus on Superman's struggle to balance his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. The film will show Superman already working at the Daily Planet as Clark Kent and having interactions with characters like Lois Lane, avoiding retelling overused storylines.
The movie will center around the traditional values that define Superman as a character but will also offer a modern perspective on how these values are portrayed. According to Safran, Superman embodies truth, justice, and the American way, representing kindness in a world that may view kindness as outdated.
James Gunn disclosed that the inspiration for Superman in this new movie will come from DC Comics' All-Star Superman run from 2005-2008. This storyline sees Superman facing his mortality due to overexposure to the sun's rays and completing heroic tasks, also known as the Twelve Labors of Superman, in an effort to bring peace before his impending death. This fresh take on Superman's story aligns with the approach of reimagining beloved DC heroes in innovative ways within the new DC Universe.
The famous Superman villain Lex Luthor is set to make an appearance in the upcoming Superman movie. The casting call for "Apex" hints that Apex Lex, a superpowered version of the villain, may have a role in the story. However, it is currently unclear whether Luthor will be the main antagonist of the movie or if his character will be saved for a future installment.
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming Superman movie in the rebooted DC Universe holds immense promise, as evident from the carefully crafted details unveiled so far. The casting of David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane is inspired, and the inclusion of characters like Metamorpho, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl enriches the narrative tapestry. Director James Gunn's vision to focus on Superman's struggle to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing is fresh and compelling.
The decision to steer clear of an origin story and instead delve into Superman's present challenges is a bold move that demonstrates Gunn's commitment to offer a unique and dynamic portrayal of the iconic hero. The inspiration drawn from the acclaimed All-Star Superman run adds further intrigue, suggesting a profound exploration of Superman's mortality and the enduring values he represents. With its stellar cast, captivating storyline, and a creative team led by the visionary James Gunn, the Superman movie is poised to be a defining moment in the DC Universe, offering a refreshing and compelling take on an enduring superhero.
