James Gunn recently revealed that the movie previously known as Superman: Legacy will now be called simply Superman. This change actually makes a lot of sense. Originally, the title seemed a bit out of place for the upcoming DCU reboot. In his announcement about the title switch, Gunn explained that after completing the final draft of the film, he realized it should just be called Superman.
Superman, which has recently begun filming, will be the first live-action project in the new DCU. It will be followed by Creature Commandos, while other DC projects like Peacemaker will continue in the new universe. Nevertheless, Superman will play a crucial role in setting the tone and world of the new DC Universe. Gunn's decision to rename the movie to Superman might be influenced by its significance as the inaugural DCU project.
Superman: Legacy Always Sounded Like A Sequel
DCU Superman New Logo With David Corenswet - Superman: Legacy Always Sounded Like A Sequel
The custom image created by Kevin Erdmann is titled Superman: Legacy. The use of the word "legacy" in the title suggests that there is a connection to something that came before. It is likely that the subtitle refers to the enduring impact of the character Superman. However, not everyone may have picked up on this meta-textual reference in the title. In the superhero genre, subtitles are usually used for sequels, such as Thor: Love and Thunder or Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Superman: Legacy - A Fresh Start for the DCU
Superman: Legacy serves as a different take compared to Superman Returns, which was a continuation of the Christopher Reeve Superman movies. By choosing a title that doesn't sound like a direct sequel, Gunn made a wise decision. Given that Superman is the inaugural project in the DC Universe, it's important to have a straightforward title that clearly indicates it as the beginning of the series.
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Superman, as the first DCU movie, carries a significant burden. It must demonstrate that DC's new direction is the correct one, all while superhero fatigue is a hot topic of discussion. Some die-hard fans of the DCEU are still advocating for its continuation and criticizing Gunn's new universe without even seeing a single frame of the first DCU movie. The importance of starting a shared universe on the right path is clearly emphasized by the debut of the DCEU's inaugural film.
DC's first attempt at a shared movie universe began with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, not Man of Steel as originally planned. Despite its financial success, the film received poor reviews due to an angry Superman and murderous Batman, leaving a negative impact on the rest of the DCEU's movies.
Following the disappointment of Batman V Superman, the DCEU faced challenges with creative decisions and declining box office numbers, except for Aquaman. The lack of enthusiasm among audiences resulted in no sequel surpassing its predecessor in the franchise. To succeed, Superman must distance itself from the DCEU that failed to impress most viewers.
Superman: Legacy being changed to Superman isn't just about clarity but also the best move for the future of DC. This reboot gives DC the opportunity to fix past errors from the DCEU and create a fresh vision for their characters. The focus on "legacy" may have kept Superman tied to the past. Hopefully, the title change by James Gunn shows a shift towards a future-oriented approach in the new DC movies.
Editor's P/S:
The article effectively highlights the significance of James Gunn's decision to rename the upcoming Superman film simply "Superman." The initial title, "Superman: Legacy," implied a connection to the past, which could have hindered the fresh start intended for the DCU reboot. By choosing the straightforward title "Superman," Gunn establishes a clear beginning for the new universe, free from the baggage of previous iterations.
The article also emphasizes the crucial role Superman plays in setting the tone and world of the DCU. As the inaugural project, it must demonstrate the viability and appeal of the new direction. The title change to "Superman" underscores this importance, indicating a return to the core elements and values of the beloved character, while simultaneously signaling a departure from the divisive and underperforming DCEU.
