James Gunn provided an explanation for why he and DC Studios retitled their previously announced Superman: Legacy film.
James Gunn attends the European Premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3” in Disneyland Paris on April 22, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney)
At the end of January last year, Gunn shared a number of details about his upcoming DC Studios slate, which he titled Gods and Monsters, and one of the big announcements was the upcoming Superman film that would be titled Superman: Legacy and would kick off the DC Universe.
Gunn said, “Next up is the big one, the true beginning of the DCU. This is called Superman: Legacy. This is being written by me. I’m in the middle of it. I’m having a great time doing it and Superman will be released into theaters July 11, 2025.”
In an Instagram post, Gunn revealed Superman’s shield, which does indeed look like the one designed by Alex Ross for Kingdom Come albeit with the iconic red and gold of Superman on the shield emblazoned on his blue suit rather than a blue suit with a black and red shield. Of note, it appears Superman might be at the Fortress of Solitude given his suit is covered in snow.
Not only did he reveal the shield, but he explained why he decided to change the title from Superman: Legacy to Superman.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Sean Gunn and James Gunn attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
Gunn wrote, “Overjoyed to be announcing the start of principal photography on SUPERMAN today, February 29, which just so happens to be – coincidentally and unplanned – Superman’s birthday.”
He then explained the title change, “When I finished the first draft of the script, I called the film Superman: Legacy. By the time I locked the final draft, it was clear the title was SUPERMAN. Making our way to you July 2025. ”
James Gunn Instagram
READ: James Gunn Confirms Race Swap For Lex Luthor Henchman Otis In ‘Superman: Legacy’
This change in title seemingly leads credence to rumors that James Gunn rewrote the film’s script. Scooper Grace Randolph claimed back in July 2023 that the film would feature a “conflict in Middle East, Superman wants to stop it one way, other heroes disagree.”
Furthermore, she shared, “Lex Luthor is also trying to negotiate peace his own way.”
Finally, she concluded, “The Authority was a misdirect! Clever – it’s actually a JSA type team, or the actual JSA.”
Ah okay, here we go:#SupermanLegacy – conflict in Middle East, #Superman wants to stop it one way, other heroes disagree.#LexLuthor is also trying to negotiate peace his own way.#TheAuthority was a misdirect! Clever – it’s actually a #JSA type team, or the actual #JSA
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) July 12, 2023
Earlier this month, Randolph claimed the conflict in the Middle East was rewritten to take place in Eastern Europe.
She wrote on X, “I hear a certain DC movie has switched its conflict from the Middle East to Eastern Europe…”
I hear a certain #DC movie has switched its conflict from the Middle East to Eastern Europe…
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) February 16, 2024
There appears to be some credence to this rumor given actor Bassem Youssef claimed in an interview with Salon that he lost a role in Superman: Legacy because the script changed.
He said, “I was a little bit bitter about losing the role, and I was kind of very sad. Why, in the United States of America, you can talk about Joe Biden, and you can talk about Donald Trump, but you cannot criticize a foreign government? Which is kind of very sad. And then, because of that I was cast in the movie, Superman, and then they told me, ‘We changed the script.’ After the Piers Morgan interview.”
He added, “And I want to assume good faith. I want to know, I want to believe that this is true. And I was a little bit bitter, and I wanted to go, I was like, ‘Oh, screw DC. Screw Warner Bros.’”
Gunn and DC would fire back via IGN. A source informed the outlet’s Alex Stedman that Youssef was dropped before the Piers Morgan interview.
Stedman wrote, “A source close to the production, however, disputes Youssef’s timeline, telling IGN that Youssef’s character was dropped from Superman: Legacy well before the Piers Morgan interview.”
He added, “According to our source, writer/director James Gunn was indeed in talks with Youssef to play the character Rumaan Harjavti. The character was dropped entirely from the script, though, by at least September, before the Morgan interview. Therefore, the source says, Youssef was never offered the role to begin with, and the issue does indeed come down to script changes and the character being cut altogether.”
Gunn reacted to the article writing on X, “This is accurate.”
This is accurate. https://t.co/oXc23gvq0E
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 16, 2024
Gunn previously promised fans back in March 2023 that the film would center “around Superman’s heritage – how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.”
Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centering around Superman’s heritage – how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 15, 2023
READ: James Gunn Claims “None” Of ‘Superman: Legacy’ Will Be Dedicated To Superman’s Origin Story
DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran would later inform Variety in June 2023, “It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.”
Safran added that Superman “is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
Given the fact that the script appears to have been significantly rewritten in the last six months, who knows what the movie is actually about.
The Man of Steel #2 (1986). DC Comics
What do you make of Superman’s crest design and the new title?
