Earlier this week, Hollywood’s worst kept secret was confirmed when James Gunn announced that he would indeed be directing the movie Superman: Legacy. Announced as part of their first chapter of movies and shows in the new DCU, Gunn had previously only committed to writing the script for the reboot. Gunn even rolled out a story about why he wanted to direct the movie and the personal connection he felt with the character. Naturally, many DC fans were excited to hear that Gunn would be taking over directing the film and bringing it to the big screen, perhaps none more excited than filmmaker and professional fanboy, Kevin Smith.

Speaking of the latter Fat Man over Live, Smith (who once wrote a Superman movie himself, if you remember) sincerely responded to Gunn’s announcement by saying, “Good for him man. I mean, James is insanely talented. We… But it’s really f-king sweet man. You know, James is known for doing weirder things and seeing him take on an American icon. I wonder what he’ll do with it.”

He continued, “I’m looking forward to seeing what James does with the character. Think of all the heart he brought to the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, which when they were first announced was like, ‘They do that? Marvel is over.” And yet he found a way to give those first two movies some incredible heart and it looks like even more heart is coming to the third installment from the third episode trailer. So I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do with Superman. I mean, he’s going to raise Superman. I have complete confidence in him.”

The casting process for the role of the Man of Steel has not started yet, but Henry Cavill is not returning and a younger actor will take over the role. Superman: Legacy is one of five feature films that Gunn and his collaborator Peter Safran announced earlier this year as part of DCU’s “Chapter 1”. The other films they develop include The authority, The brave and the bold, Supergirl: Woman of TomorrowAnd Swamp thing.

Scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, Warner Bros. the movie as follows: “Superman Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the epitome of truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old fashioned.”