Superman: Legacy, the highly anticipated cinematic endeavor, is still on track for a projected commencement of production in 2024. Yet, recent reports from the DC Universe suggest that an anticipated delay may be in the cards. Additionally, it has been officially announced by DC that the illustrious role of the Man of Steel will be portrayed by the talented David Corenswet in James Gunn’s inaugural installment of the new franchise, Superman: Legacy, set within the revamped DC Universe. Gunn, who also serves as the co-CEO of DC Studios, disclosed in May of 2023 that filming for the Superman epic would kick off in January of 2024, with a slated release date of July 11, 2025.
While the original release date was earmarked for July 2025, substantial progress was impeded by the concurrent Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. These strikes, which commenced in May 2023, persisted until just recently, with the Writers Guild of America strike concluding earlier this week.
In a recent report by Variety, a glimmer of hope emerges. The report suggests that if the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike finds resolution by the close of 2023, principal photography for the Superman reboot “may commence in the spring.”
The Delay in Superman: Legacy
James Gunn and Peter Safran, both co-CEOs of DC Studios, embark on a formidable endeavour to reimagine the iconic narrative of Superman in this inaugural instalment of the new DC Universe. As previously mentioned, the film was initially slated for a theatrical release in the summer of 2025. The forthcoming opus, Superman: Legacy, endeavours to breathe new life into the fabled superhero’s legacy.
Despite the lingering question among fans regarding potential alterations to the film’s release schedule following the cessation of the WGA strike, the original plan to unveil the upcoming DC Universe film in July 2025 remains plausible. This feasibility hinges on the initiation of production in the spring of 2024, with a prospective duration of at least six months.
In the lead-up to the strike’s commencement, James Gunn submitted the initial draft of the screenplay. The current concern surrounding the project revolves around potential production setbacks attributable to the actors’ strike, as well as the preparations requisite for recommencing shooting. Warner Bros. remains optimistic that production will commence as scheduled in January 2024. Gunn, the visionary behind the reboot, is poised to return imminently to finalize the writing and editing of the Superman: Legacy script.
On September 25, 2023, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the writers’ union reached a contractual accord, bringing an end to the writers’ strike after a protracted 146 days. However, the SAG-AFTRA strike continues to persist. That said, prospects for renewed discussions aimed at securing an improved agreement with both AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA are anticipated.
Despite the hiccup, the film’s grand premiere on July 11, 2025, still remains within the realm of possibility.