With the script for Superman: Legacy complete, the DC Studios reboot–slated for 2025–is a rarity right now in that it’s not felt the impact of the ongoing WGA strike and is continuing to make pre-production progress. While the potential SAG strike might change things up a bit for James Gunn’s new project, those are still tomorrow’s concerns and so, for now, Gunn is pushing ahead in the search for not only the next Man of Steel but the entire supporting cast.
According to Deadline, that search has been narrowed down considerably, and, over the weekend, Gunn conducted screen tests with some of the reported favorites for the roles of Kal-El and Lois Lane. Though Gunn has refrained from confirming or denying who might be on his list, it’s been widely reported thay Tom Brittney, David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult are among the top contenders for Superman while Rachel Brosnahan, Pheobe Dynevor and Emma Mackey top his list of talent for Lois Lane. And while Gunn is not budging on revealing who he has in his sights for the roles, he did take to Bluesky to update the process.
“Amazing amazing weekend of auditions for Superman: Legacy,” said Gunn. “I’m blown away by some of these actors, among the best I’ve ever seen or worked with.” Given the array of talented actors Gunn has aligned himself with in the past and the loyalty he has to them, that’s no small compliment coming from the director. With principal photography not set to begin until January 2024, Gunn still has plenty of time to find the right fit for each role and to make sure the actors have the right chemistry with one another.
Superman: Legacy is slated to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn recently clarified that the upcoming film Blue Beetle will be the first project in the all-new, all-different DCU. The film, which hits theaters on August 18, 2023 stars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes and was directed by Angel Miguel Soto, was originally slated to release on HBO Max Warner Bros. changed gears and pushed it into theaters, providing a bigger platform for the film. Now that its place in the new DCU is settled, it seems like it might just be the beginning for the character.
“Our first movie, the way we wanted to do it, was always with the mentality that we wanted to do two more, at least,” Soto told Total Film. “And taking the traditional three-act structure of a story, we wanted our first movie to practically be the first act of a saga,” the director explained, indicating big plans for Maridueña‘s Reyes.
Soto went on to explain that Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran have been putting in some work behind the scenes to make sure Blue Beetle can not only stand on its own but also be fully integrated into the future of the DCU. “We are part of the universe, we are part of the world,” explained Soto. “We are part of the plans that they have been creating for the future installments of the DCUbut we are not tied to all the films from the past. Yes, our movie lives in the world where superheroes exist. But that doesn’t mean that a certain event, or certain alliance, or certain things from the past dictate where our film is going,” indicating that perhaps Reyes will soon have the chance to interact with some of the other heavy hitters that will populate the new shared universe.
As for what those plans are, it may be a while before we all find out. The ongoing WGA strike and the looming SAG strike will certainly go a long way in determining when Jamie Reyes pops up next in the DCU.
The Flash has had a troubled production for so long that it’s hard to think that even up to its release there wasn’t any chaos behind the scenes. Not only was the film handed over from director to director, Ezra Miller started to gather troubling news as time went on just as the film finally was about to start promotion. Plus, Warner Bros. Discovery decided to change things up with its initial leadership kicked out of the company. Then, they decided to restart a brand new universe with James Gunn and Peter Safran heading the new DC Studios.
As it turns out, every leadership change also ended up changing the final version of The Flash. In a new report by Hollywood Reporter, it seems that the film had around three different sequences that seemingly got chopped up. We won’t spoil the one that is currently being showcased in the final version of the film, especially as it just released but we’ll take a look at the previous two versions.
Still, only continue at your own risk if you want to remain completely spoiler-free on watching The Flash in theaters.
The initial ending seemingly had a sequence of only Sasha Calle’s Supergirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman at the courthouse. It actually matches some of the leaked set photos that we saw of both of them at a set that would match a courthouse. Though, it seems when the initial DC heads left, they kept Calle and Keaton in the sequence but added two more cameos. Originally, Henry Cavill’s Superman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman were going to appear.
That version has also been cut due to the new leadership of DC Studios, who were worried that keeping those cameos would end up confusing viewers going into the “new” DC Cinematic Universe. As such, the current version in theaters was filmed around six months ago and added to the project. This move is also when they decided not to move forward with Cavill’s Superman movie and why Wonder Woman 3 was no longer moving forward.
It’s Friday and that means we get the traditional Heat Vision newsletter from Hollywood Reporter. This usually comes with a big scoop but sometimes they hide away big reveals in the smallest sections of the text. This time around, it seems THR has gotten its hands on the details that James Gunn’s upcoming film is set to introduce one major addition to the new DC Cinematic Universe.
Hidden away in a section on the recent casting bits for Superman Legacy, they reveal that The Authority will also be introduced in the upcoming film. While they don’t state which members will appear, it does seem like Gunn is dead set on using the upcoming film as a jumping-off point for his overarching storyline.
They also mention that they are likely to cast Lex Luthor, which is a tradition at this point given how closely tied the character is with Superman, but it’s curious that they’d not try to build it up over time but instead jump straight in. It does make you wonder how he is setting up this universe and if we’ll see way more crossovers rather than individual projects.
We knew for some time that The Authority will be introduced and while most might be disappointed we’re not just getting the Justice League, it’s a clever way to give audiences a new group of superheroes that are quite obscure. With Justice League having left a bad taste with audiences some years ago, it’s a way to have a major crossover team without retreading familiar ground.
Superman Legacy is James Gunn’s biggest project yet. Not only is it him tackling a new superhero but it’s also his proof of concept that the DC Cinematic Universe with his leadership will prosper in this new era. So, there’s a lot riding on finding the right person to play the iconic superhero that was previously played by Henry Cavill in the Snyderverse. According to Deadline, it seems that the first in-person meetings are set to take place, interestingly enough, on Father’s Day.
DC Studios’ CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn are spearheading the auditionings. So far, it seems Nicholas Hoult, Tom Brittney, and David Corenswet are going to audition for the role. They are also testing for Lois Lane; likely to ensure they can test out the tension between the acting duos as well given how integral their relationships are. Currently, Phoebe Dynevor, Emma Mackey, and Rachel Brosnahan are set to test for the role.
It’ll be interesting to see what they are looking for, as many still wonder what exactly a Superman film will be by Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad director James Gunn. He definitely has proven his love for the comics and understanding of these universes, but there’s always the question of if he’ll use his iconic style of humor or might try to be a bit more subdued to focus on the messaging he has teased.
When it comes to rumors about talent signing on for superhero projects, fans are conditioned to read between the lines of the lies and denials that always follow when said talent is asked to address said rumors. The disingenuous disinformation and dissembling have, unfortunately, become part of an already aggravated culture around the genre that further complicates the navigation of an increasingly polluted pool of information. So conditioned are fans to this routine that when someone associated with a project, like Agatha: Coven of Chaos actress Patti Lupone willingly shares truthful information about a project, it becomes breaking news. And, on that note, The Flash director Andy Muschietti has created some breaking news.
Shortly after a new report backed up old rumors about Muschietti signing on to helm DC Studios’ undated The Brave and the Bold, Fandango’s Erik Davis asked the director if all the hubbub had any merit…and Muschietti did not lie. When asked by Davis if he would like to direct another project in James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s new DCU, Muschietti responded with uncommon honesty. “We would love to,” said Muschietti before adding, “We can’t speak about those things yet but it feels like a very exciting possibility.“
One has to wonder if Muschietti’s response might offer a glimpse into a way of doing business that has long been modeled online by Gunn. Though Gunn isn’t quick to dish out spoilers, he’s quite consistently been honest and forthcoming and, when neither of those is possible for whatever reason, he typically notes that he can’t talk about the topic at the moment. In the cast of The Brave and the Bold, it’s a very real possibility that while Muschietti is in line to helm the project, he hasn’t closed a deal just yet. Even if he has, nobody could argue that stating he can’t talk about the project just yet is a worse choice than denying it outright only to be revealed as the director down the road. Let’s hope this newfangled trend of telling the truth catches on in superhero circles.
While the old DCEU begins to flame out, James Gunn and Peter Safran look to be grabbing one of its hottest embers to start the fire of their new DCU. One Take News is reporting that The Flash director Andy Muschetti has agreed to direct DC Studios’ upcoming film, The Brave and the Bold.
The report comes on the heels of earlier rumors that Gunn would look to find a way to retain Muschetti as the transition from the Snyderverse era continues. Described by Gunn as a “a very strange sort of father-son story,” The Brave and the Bold will introduce the DCU’s new Batman alongside his son, Damian, and will also “feature other members of the extended Bat-Family just because we feel like they’ve been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long.”
Muschetti, who recently refused to comment on the rumors saying only “I don’t think I can talk to that yet,” became a hot commodity after turning in two stellar films as an adaptation of Stephen King‘s It. As a follow up, he is currently filming the Max streaming project and It prequel, Welcome to Derry. According to OTN, The Brave and the Bold is currently without a script or release date.
With production on James Gunn‘s Superman: Legacy tentatively slated to get underway in January 2024, the search for the actors and actresses who will fill the film’s key roles is well underway. In May, a list of potential frontrunners for the roles of Superman, Lois Lane and Lex Luthor emerged and while that list was stocked with talent, there’s been no official word of anyone landing a spot just yet. Now, a new report from Variety indicates that Gunn may still be looking for his Superman and that a new name has joined his list of candidates.
The trade is reporting that model and actor Pierson Fodé, best known for a 280-episode run on The Bold and the Beautiful, may have caught Gunn’s eye and be among those up for the role of Kal-El. Fodé‘s self-taped audition included a “montage” of the small-town farm in Montana on which the actor grew up and it apparently gave off some Clark Kent/Smallville vibes that Gunn reportedly enjoyed.
Landing what must be one of the most coveted leading roles in Hollywood would be a major step up the ladder for Fodé whose biggest film credits include a supporting role in Woody Harrelson and Kevin Hart‘s Netflix original The Man from Toronto. Variety reported that no decisions have been made and that everyone’s reps declined comment. Superman: Legacy is currently set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
With principal photography on Superman: Legacy set to kick off in just eight months, writer/director James Gunn has begun the process of casting. A series of trade reports have provided some insight into a list of potential frontrunners for some of the 2025 film’s key roles while also giving some more details about what to expect from the all-new, all-different DCU’s first feature film.
Casting Kal-El
It’s not unfair to say that whoever Gunn chooses for his Kal-El could make or break not only Superman: Legacy but also the fledgling DCU. Fortunately, Gunn has an uncanny knack for nailing key castings. Despite a list of monster names having auditioned for the Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn famously fought to have Chris Pratt in the role despite the star flubbing his audition. Dave Bautista probably owes his now acclaimed acting career to Gunn, Karen Gillan became a star as Nebula and Chukwudi Iwuji put together one of Marvel Studios’ best villainous turns as the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn knows talent and given he also knows Superman: Legacy inside and out, he knows exactly what he’s looking for in the next actor to wear the symbol of the House of El and according to the Hollywood trades, he’s getting close to finding his leading man.
THR reports that after viewing audition tapes for the role of Clark Kent, DC Studios is preparing to screen test a handful of frontrunners. Topping that list are Pearl and House of Cards star David Corenswet and X-Men alum Nicholas Hoult, while Euphoria star Jacob Elordi and Andrew Richardson seem to have been among a larger group of earlier contenders that has since been thinned out.
For all of you asking, I would never comment on who is or isn’t AUDITIONING for a role. That’s the actor’s business only & isn’t something I’d make public unless they did it first after the fact (like @GlennHowerton or @ZacharyLevi having auditioned for Star-Lord & being top…
When the star of your show is an omnipotent, god-like alien, it’s pretty important that he stay grounded. To that end, Gunn’s selection for Lois Lane is nearly as critical as that of Superman. Much like the casting of Sue Storm is essential for Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four, Gunn has to land a star as Lois. Despite being married to a nigh-invulnerable hero, it’s Lois who stands tall as the unshakable center of Superman’s life. Appropriately, Gunn has put together quite a list of stars for the role.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’sRachel Brosnahan, Bridgerton’sPhoebe Dynevor, Sex Education star Emma Mackey and neo scream queen Samara Weaving have reportedly made their way through the early screening process. Brosnahan’s audition seems to have caught Gunn’s eye though multiple reports indicate the Emmy-award-winning actress may be just outside of the age range Warner Bros. Discovery has in mind for their new universe.
The Big Bad
While the trades have casually reported the news that the film’s antagonist will be Lex Luthor, it is the first confirmation that Gunn has chosen Superman’s oldest and most well-known foe to occupy his time in the first film. It’s simultaneously the most and least bold choice Gunn could make.
After checking in with an unknown star of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on their interest in the role, Gunn is reportedly now meeting with Black actors for the role of “Apex.” While that’s just a code name, it does refer to a very recent iteration of the character who was an extremely powerful human/Martian hybrid.
The reports indicate that the casting process for all three roles is expected to pick up steam after Memorial Day. It would certainly be in DC Studios’ best interest to have the cast of Superman: Legacy introduced on stage in two months at SDCC ’23 and given Gunn’s history with the convention, that wouldn’t be a surprise.
In many ways, James Gunn‘s Superman: Legacy is sounding more and more like a throwback. Though it is expected to be set in the modern continuity of the all-new, all-different DCU, Gunn has made it clear that the film, which DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran said will launch the new DCU, will explore some “old-fashioned” values and will see a Superman who stands for truth, justice and the American way. It’s an interesting challenge for Gunn because the perception that Superman represents a bygone era has made it tough for modern writers to crack new stories that resonate with modern readers; however, a pattern is emerging that might give some insight into how Gunn plans to take on that challenge.
Part of keeping the old-fashioned spirit of Superman alive might be surrounding him with other old-fashioned characters, making Kal-El feel a bit less like a fish out of water. To that end, Gunn has already confirmed that Superman’s pal, Jimmy Olsen, is set to appear in his new Superman film. Olsen was a fixture in the comics and in the late 1970s/early 1980s Superman films played by Marc McClure. That Olsen came complete with an innocent “Aw shucks, Mr. Kent” persona that was in stark contrast to the CIA assassin version of the character that briefly appeared in the Snyderverse. It seems far more likely that Gunn’s version of the character would be in line with the original interpretation of the character, helping establish a more old-fashioned feel around Superman.
Along those old-fashioned lines, it sounds as though James Gunn is set to drop another one of Superman’s friends in Superman: Legacy; in fact, it sounds like it’ll be (Super)man’s best friend: Krypto the Superdog! While promoting Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with Chris Pratt, Gunn jokingly said he’d cast Pratt as the on-set reference for Krypto. When the interviewer asked if he had just gotten a scoop about Krypto’s appearance in the film, Gunn confirmed that he did!
When Warners was courting Gunn, the studio gave him his pick of properties, including Superman. Though Gunn never got far enough along to seriously consider tackling a Superman movie, the filmmaker did take a shine to the Man of Steel’s superpowered dog Krypto during his comics research — which makes sense for a man who turned a talking raccoon into one of Marvel’s most popular big screen characters.
THR Heat Vision, 2019
Gunn has always been a fan of Krypto and, dating back to when he first started work at DC has explored using the character in a project. Back in 2021, we erroneously reported that Gunn was developing a Krypto project for Warner Bros but Gunn’s interest in the character has clearly not waned. Adding Krypto to the mix seems to further ground the story of Superman: Legacy in those old-fashioned values Safran talked bout. A man’s best friend. A boy and his dog. However you put it, there’s a certain sentimentality to the idea of Superman having a canine sidekick with him on his new adventure.
Superman: Legacy is currently set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
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