On Tuesday, the DC Studios CEO, James Gunn, confirmed through an Instagram post that he will be directing the upcoming Superman movie, which has been given a release date of July 11, 2025.
James Gunn’s reaction
Gunn, in his instagram post wrote that he had been previously offered to direct the movie a few years ago, but had declined the offer owing to the feeling that at that time, it would not be possible for him to direct the movie in a way which felt apt for a character like Superman. Further, a few years later, according to Gunn, he understood that Superman was indeed a complex and layered character and upon this realization, he decided to start writing the script for this upcoming movie.
Initially, the writer-director was only supposed to write the screenplay for this movie. During the initial announcement of this movie back in January 2023, it was still undecided whether Gunn would be taking on the directing reins as well.
This movie will officially be the first installment after Gunn’s and his co-CEO Peter Safran’s oversight. This movie will also be starting DC’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
Henry Cavill will not be resuming the role of Superman. It was announced by him in an Instagram Post back in December 2022. According to reports, Gunn and Safran are actively looking for the actor to portray this new chapter of the character. They are also not letting Cavill completely go away from the studio, wanting him to portray some other characters in the DC Universe. Ideally, Gunn and Safran are looking for younger actors to portray the character.
At the end of January, Gunn posted an announcement relating to Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. According to reports, this chapter might have more than 15 projects, a mix of video games, movies and tv shows.
Gunn has previously written and directed projects in both the DC Universe and the Marvel Universe (MCU). In the MCU, Gunn has been responsible for writing and directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, the third installment releasing on 5th May, 2023. In the DC Universe, Gunn has been responsible for the directing the second Suicide Squad movie and the show Peacemaker.
Official announcement from the studio
In October of 2022, it was officially announced that James Gunn would become co-CEO alongside Peter Safran. The duo now wants to insert into the Universe a lighter more comedic tone, yet telling poignant and insightful stories post the Zack Snyder era.
Gunn is the only filmmaker actively working in both the competing studios. In 2016, however, he was fired from Marvel after a few controversial tweets of his resurfaced. But shortly he was called back to complete the Guardians of the Galaxy films. But after the release of the third installment of the Guardian of the Galaxy film in May, Gunn will be working exclusively with the DCU, according to the four year contract that he has currently signed.
According to reports, Gunn will be more engaged in the creative side of the Studio, while Safran will be taking care of the business side of the studio. Both CEOs will still be reporting to Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav and as a result. Upcoming DC projects will be monitored not by Gunn and Safran, but by Warner Bros. officials, Micheal DeLuca.
Official statement from the co-CEOs
In a joint statement released by Gunn and Safran soon after the news broke, they expressed the joy and honor they felt by this opportunity as they have been fans of the DC comics and the characters since childhood. Additionally, they also said that ‘We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression of the artists involved.’