“Superman: Legacy” drops on Thursday, July 10th.
It’s okay not to be flawless. And, yes, hope, truth and decency are alive and well. On the screen, that is.
James Gunn both wrote and directed the new Superman movie. Appointed co-CEO of DC Studios in 2022, Gunn and his business/production partner Peter Safran oversee all film, television, animation and gaming projects that involve DC characters.
James Gunn had his post-secondary school troubles, but eventually landed a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. He learned his filmmaking craft writing screenplays and making low-budget indie films.
“I just had an opportunity to get a job at this place. I went in and thought I was going to be hired to do some personal assistant work or special effects or something, and instead Lloyd Kaufman offered me a hundred and fifty bucks to write a screenplay.” (James Gunn)
His big break came when he wrote and directed “Slither” (2006), a box office horror-comedy fiasco that gained a cult following.
Coming off a take of more than $2.5 billion from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, the new Superman film is expected to dominate the summer box office line-up, with some projecting more than $1 billion in sales.
Gunn’s vision for the film centers on portraying Superman’s kindness and humanity in a world that often views such traits as outdated. He aims to present a Superman who is both relatable and aspirational, capturing the essence of Superman while offering a new perspective for contemporary audiences.
Clark Kent is caught between worlds - he’s a Kryptonian with godlike powers, raised in Kansas with small-town values, now working as a reporter in Metropolis. The story picks up as Lex Luthor starts turning the public against him, framing Superman as a threat. While juggling newsroom politics, his complicated feelings for Lois Lane and growing public distrust, Clark also takes care of Krypto, his loyal super-powered dog.
Krypto is more than a cute sidekick - he’s a deeply personal creation, born from Gunn’s real-life rescue dog, Ozu. Krypto has powers similar to Superman, but scaled to dog size. He possesses super strength, flight, super speed and enhanced durability, making him capable of saving Clark in life-or-death situations. His on-screen mischief, chaos and unpredictability are paired with unconditional love, reflecting real-life dog-human symbiosis.
The film doesn’t retell the origin Superman story - instead, it dives into Clark’s identity crisis and how he tries to stay true to his values in a world that’s cynical, corporate and ready to tear him down.
Great timing, wouldn’t ‘ya say?
“Superman is the story of America. An immigrant coming from another world, trying to make a life here. But for me, it’s mostly about how basic human kindness is a value we’ve lost. Obviously, there will be jerks who find it offensive just because it’s about kindness, but screw them.” (James Gunn, interview in The Times of London)
How refreshing.
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