James Gunn discusses Superman: Legacy cast additions

Following up on the news of the latest additions to the cast of Superman: Legacy, director James Gunn answered some questions from fans on social media.

Warner Bros. Discovery announced three additions to the cast of Superman: Legacy on Tuesday night: Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner. Shortly after the news was announced, he interacted with some fans on social media.

The questions and answers took place on Meta's new social media platform, Threads, which does not yet have an easy linking feature.

Question: Are all the actors you're going to cast to play the characters going to play the entire [sic] DCU?

Gunn: Yes
Question: Will Superman: Legacy have Jimmy Olsen?

Gunn: Yes it will.
Question: Super excited for this, love the castings!! However, I gotta ask: What compelled you to put these characters into a Superman story?

Gunn: They fit the story I'm telling. Story always comes first.
Question: I'm very excited that we're jumping right into an established DC World. I just hope that the focus remains on Lois and Clark. That the film remains a true Superman story that explores his character. Give us an amazing Superman story James. The one we fans have always dreamed of. I trust ya, and believe you'll do just that. Couldn't be more excited for Legacy.

Gunn: The Primary story most definitely revolves around Superman and Lois.
Question: So excited James!!! Can we expect the bowl but on Nathan?

Gunn: Giving my old pal Nate a bowl cut might have been my primary reason for casting him.
Question: What happened to Finn Wittrock as Gardner? Is the Lanterns show separate? Or did he get recast?

Gunn: The Green Lanterns show is not separate; Nate will play Guy in all parts of the DCU.

Superman: Legacy will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

IMAGE SOURCE: Shutterstock - James Gunn - DFree

11 comments

Kara

July 12, 2023

Gunn’s hair looks like my 5 year old younger brother after he comes out of the shower

DudeofSteel1Million

July 12, 2023

I still can't believe how people have done a total 180 degree turn on how they've been reacting to this news. It was so horrible to see the DCEU get 'rushed' that many criticized how it didn't have a proper buildup to seeing all these other DC characters show up.

And now all the sudden, it's A-okay to see the first DCU movie Superman: Legacy get stuffed with Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl and who knows who else in a pre-established universe where superheroes were already roaming around before Superman.

Like, why? Why are people suddenly okay with this? Just cause James Gunn is doing it?
It doesn't change the principle issue here that we are, again, rushing into a new universe that's already pre-established without the build up.

Like, STOP IT. Stop it right now. And why aren't people more upset that this isn't a true "solo" Superman movie? I don't necessarily want to see any other superheroes in Legacy. It's been over 10 years now since we've gotten a true solo Superman movie and now it's already been confirmed other superheroes are gonna be in it.

Come on, man.

Kaingerc
July 12, 2023
It very much depends on how much they are featured and how well they are integrated into the story.
Yes, if this movie suddenly becomes a full blown origin story for all of these characters and they start competing for screentime this will all fall apart. (See for example Black Adam)
But just because the cast features a bunch of recognizable characters doesn't mean they can't be used well.
From experience, I trust Gunn to handle a good plot and characters more than David Hack Goyer for example.
kan
July 12, 2023
I am ok with it, if it is done correctly. I imagine him mimicking the animated movies which operate in this fashion, glimpses/stories into various super hero worlds across a multitude of timelines. It works for the DCAU. Gunn is correct, it is all about the writing/stories. DCEU has never been about that, mostly shitting on their own characters and history (Zack Synder.)
Knowlson
July 12, 2023
I was really hoping for a solo Superman movie. I hoped they could hold off with all the "super friends" until the sequels.
I notice one of the meta questioners is feeling the same anxiety we do:
I’m very excited that we’re jumping right into an established DC World. I just hope that the focus remains on Lois and Clark.
In his reply, Gunn insists his focus remains on Superman and Lois. I guess we'll see.
Darth Bane
July 12, 2023
They will be just cameos, nothing more. Brainiac will most likely be the main villain of the movie, so they may show up at the end to help Superman defend Earth. Or maybe Brainiac even kills Guy at the beginning of the movie to show us how dangerous he is.
In any case, Gunn has demonstrated that he knows how to use and balance multiple characters and he won't use them just for some cheap fanservice.
1. Jason27
  July 13, 2023
  I'm thinking these heroes are the villains. Before these casting announcements, it was rumored that the movie is based on the comic: What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way? where Superman goes up against a group anti-heroes who have become too violent.
2. devilman013
  July 16, 2023
  "They will be just cameos, nothing more. Brainiac will most likely be the main villain of the movie"
  According to who?
Hunter Zolomon
July 12, 2023
The issue with BvS wasn't that it had Batman, Wonder Woman and JL cameos in it the issue was how they were written. Gunn is a far better storyteller and hasn't let me down like ever so i fully trust him.
Kerk Lastnameless
July 12, 2023
No, I'm with you. They are stepping on the same rake.

Papa Grande ( formerly deevo)

July 16, 2023

I'll have to see how this turns out- not enough to make an observation on this. This could work so long as this stays a Superman story.Losing focus on that would be fatal. It would be interesting if Braniac mind controls them and Superman has to take them down. I'd like that.

Kara
July 12, 2023
Gunn’s hair looks like my 5 year old younger brother after he comes out of the shower
DudeofSteel1Million
July 12, 2023
I still can't believe how people have done a total 180 degree turn on how they've been reacting to this news. It was so horrible to see the DCEU get 'rushed' that many criticized how it didn't have a proper buildup to seeing all these other DC characters show up.
And now all the sudden, it's A-okay to see the first DCU movie Superman: Legacy get stuffed with Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl and who knows who else in a pre-established universe where superheroes were already roaming around before Superman.
Like, why? Why are people suddenly okay with this? Just cause James Gunn is doing it?
It doesn't change the principle issue here that we are, again, rushing into a new universe that's already pre-established without the build up.
Like, STOP IT. Stop it right now. And why aren't people more upset that this isn't a true "solo" Superman movie? I don't necessarily want to see any other superheroes in Legacy. It's been over 10 years now since we've gotten a true solo Superman movie and now it's already been confirmed other superheroes are gonna be in it.
Come on, man.
1. Kaingerc
  July 12, 2023
  It very much depends on how much they are featured and how well they are integrated into the story.
  Yes, if this movie suddenly becomes a full blown origin story for all of these characters and they start competing for screentime this will all fall apart. (See for example Black Adam)
  But just because the cast features a bunch of recognizable characters doesn't mean they can't be used well.
  From experience, I trust Gunn to handle a good plot and characters more than David Hack Goyer for example.
2. kan
  July 12, 2023
  I am ok with it, if it is done correctly. I imagine him mimicking the animated movies which operate in this fashion, glimpses/stories into various super hero worlds across a multitude of timelines. It works for the DCAU. Gunn is correct, it is all about the writing/stories. DCEU has never been about that, mostly shitting on their own characters and history (Zack Synder.)
3. Knowlson
  July 12, 2023
  I was really hoping for a solo Superman movie. I hoped they could hold off with all the "super friends" until the sequels.
  I notice one of the meta questioners is feeling the same anxiety we do:
  I’m very excited that we’re jumping right into an established DC World. I just hope that the focus remains on Lois and Clark.
  In his reply, Gunn insists his focus remains on Superman and Lois. I guess we'll see.
4. Darth Bane
  July 12, 2023
  They will be just cameos, nothing more. Brainiac will most likely be the main villain of the movie, so they may show up at the end to help Superman defend Earth. Or maybe Brainiac even kills Guy at the beginning of the movie to show us how dangerous he is.
  In any case, Gunn has demonstrated that he knows how to use and balance multiple characters and he won't use them just for some cheap fanservice.
  1. Jason27
    July 13, 2023
    I'm thinking these heroes are the villains. Before these casting announcements, it was rumored that the movie is based on the comic: What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way? where Superman goes up against a group anti-heroes who have become too violent.
  2. devilman013
    July 16, 2023
    "They will be just cameos, nothing more. Brainiac will most likely be the main villain of the movie"
    According to who?
5. Hunter Zolomon
  July 12, 2023
  The issue with BvS wasn't that it had Batman, Wonder Woman and JL cameos in it the issue was how they were written. Gunn is a far better storyteller and hasn't let me down like ever so i fully trust him.
6. Kerk Lastnameless
  July 12, 2023
  No, I'm with you. They are stepping on the same rake.
Papa Grande ( formerly deevo)
July 16, 2023
I'll have to see how this turns out- not enough to make an observation on this. This could work so long as this stays a Superman story.Losing focus on that would be fatal. It would be interesting if Braniac mind controls them and Superman has to take them down. I'd like that.

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James Gunn discusses Superman: Legacy cast additions

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