James Gunn’s Superman 2025 Movie: The Complete Guide
Published
Look up in the sky! it's a bird, it’s a plane, no its Superman! The DCU’s man of steel is here and fans can’t wait. After the ill-fated DCEU, Warner Bros. appointed Guardians of the Galaxy mastermind, James Gunn, to take the reins of DC and create a successful franchise out of it.
Gunn created DC Studios with him and Peter Safran at the helm. They would oversee everything about the new DC Universe (DCU). The first project under their supervision, Creature Commandos, has been released, and it currently holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, 2025’s Superman film is going to be the real test for James Gunn’s DCU. The DCU boss has admitted that a lot is riding on the film. In fact, there’s a real possibility that plans could get shifted and projects could be moved around if this one fails to impress critically and commercially.
However, with a release date set, it’s time to get ready to watch the hero on the silver screen again! In this artice, we will discuss everything you need to know about Superman 2025, including the cast, release date, plot, and more. We will keep updating this article with fresh information as and when they get released, so stay tuned!
Superman Release date and Where to Watch
Superman will be released in theaters on Friday, July 11, 2025. It will be the first film of the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
What is the plot of James Gunn’s Superman film?
James Gunn’s Superman 2025 film isn’t an origin story like so many other Superman films have been before. Instead, in this story, Clark Kent is already Superman and has been so for sometime. He also isn’t the only superhero on the planet. Others like Green Lantern, also exist.
Not only that but Lois and Clark know each other and Lex hates the man of steel, although he has never met him. In fact, Lex’s approach to science makes him almost like a sorcerer.
The theme of the film is about Legacy as Clark Kent will grapple about his Kryptonian roots as well as his relationship with his human parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent. The film will pose the question- so whose legacy is he? The film will also focus on what Superman has been about all along- about hope.
However, it will be really grounded and serious as well while also staying true to a world that’s fantastical and magical. Apart from Superman and his regular supporting cast like Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Cat Grant, etc., there will also be other prominent DC characters like Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion).
Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho and Maré Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer are also a part of the cast, with the latter reportedly having a major role to play. James Gunn has also confirmed that these won’t be cameos, instead these characters are the supporting cast too.
As for Clark and Lois, they will have a complicated dynamic. Also, does she know that Clark Kent is Superman? Probably not.
Who is in the cast of James Gunn’s Superman?
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
- Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
- Wendell Pierce as Perry White
- Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl
- Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
- María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica / The Engineer
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern
- Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl
- Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord
- Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
- Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan / Pa Kent
- Neva Howell as Martha / Ma Kent
- Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho
- Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific
- Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
- Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher
- Will Reeve as TV Reporter
- Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord
- Alan Tudyk
Superman Trailer
The Superman teaser trailer will be released on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. PST.
Has Superman: Legacy been Renamed?
Yes, James Gunn’s Superman film, which was initially titled Superman: Legacy has been renamed to just Superman. In an instagram post, James Gunn wrote, “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.” The title seems to be an echo of the 1978 Superman film starring the late Christopher Reeve.
As for why the change was made, Gunn reveald in an interview with Screen Rant, “I thought maybe the title was they had a looking back feeling about it. And this isn't about looking back, this is about looking forward."
Who is Replacing Henry Cavill as Superman?
David Corenswet (Pearl, Hollywood, Twisters) is the actor replacing Henry Cavill in James Gunn’s 2025 Superman film.
On Dec. 15, 2022, Henry Cavill wrote on Instagram, “I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it's sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn't the easiest, but that's life.”
When James Gunn was announcing a new slew of DC movies and TV shows, he clarified what had happened (via BBC), “We didn't fire Henry. Henry was never cast. For me, it's about, who do I want to cast as Superman, and who do the filmmakers we have want to cast? And for me, for this story, it isn't Henry.”
Who is the bad guy in the Superman movie 2025?
Lex Luthor is the primary villain in James Gunn’s 2025 Superman film. Apart from him, it is rumored that María Gabriela de Faría’s The Engineer will be giving the hero a hard time. It’s interesting that The Engineer is a part of a team called The Authority.
In the pages of DC comics, they are a group of anti-heroes who are comfortable killing anyone who tries to prevent them from accomplishing their mission. It’s possible that they will clash with Superman who believes in the inherent goodness of humanity and thinks that everyone deserves a chance.
The Music of Superman 2025
John Murphy is the music composer of Superman 2025. His use of a variation of the main theme of Superman by John Williams from the 1978 movie starring Christopher Reeve, has already captivated fans. In an interview with ComicBook, James Gunn talked more about the music of the film.
He said, “There’s nods to Williams, and then also John Murphy’s created this incredibly beautiful score. It is a score, not a soundtrack. So, it’s not about the songs. There’s a few songs in it, and of course I chose those songs beforehand, but it isn’t like any of my previous movies.” The director also emphasized that it is a score driven film rather than a song driven one.
Action Scenes of James Gunn’s Superman 2025
In an interview with THR, James Gunn revealed how the flying and action scenes were shot with the help of drones. He said, “We shoot a lot of our action with actual drones flying in and around Superman and the people that he’s flying with, The Engineer and whoever else that he’s fighting up in the air. And we did that on sound stages.”
Why is Superman Wearing red Trunks in the 2025 film?
It’s not unexpected to see Superman wearing red trunks. However, Henry Cavill’s version famously ditched the trunks. But they are back again for the 2025 film and James Gunn has revealed why. The director said that star David Corenswet is the one who suggested bringing them back.
Gunn explained (via THR), “One of the things David said is that Superman wants kids to not be afraid of him. He’s an alien. He’s got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes… He’s this incredibly powerful, could be considered scary, individual and he wants people to like him. He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity.”
The DCU boss continued, “So he dresses like a professional wrestler. He dresses in a way that makes people unafraid of him, that shows that hope that shows that positivity. And that really clicked in for me. And I think trying to pretend that Superman’s costume doesn’t have some frivolity to it at its base, trying to make it look serious, is silly because he is a superhero. He’s the first one, brightly colored and that’s who he is.”
Confirmed Release dates of Other DC Projects
- Superman- July 11, 2025
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow- June 26, 2026
- The Batman Part 2- Oct. 2, 2026
- Clayface- Sept. 11, 2026
Filming
Filmig began on Feb. 29, 2024, the canonical birthday of Superman, in Svalbard, Norway’s Adventdalen Valley. Later on, filming moved to Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Superman was also shot in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Macon, Georgia; and Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, Ohio; among others. Filming wrapped on July 30.
Behind the Scenes
Superman 2025 is written, directed, and produced by James Gunn. Peter Safran is also a producer. Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther are the executive producers. Henry Braham is the cinematographer and the music is by John Murphy. The production companies involved are DC Studios, The Safran Company, and Warner Bros.
Related
Most Popular
Most Popular