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Details on James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy revealed – Krypto to appear! Who might play Superman, Lex and Lois? And more! Details within

May 20th, 2023 by Marc Comments

It looks like things are moving ahead pretty quickly on James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy, the first major movie in the new, so-called DC Universe [DCU].

While many would disagree – and quite often I’d count myself among them – the current DCEU which ties up this year with The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom [although we don’t know how much of the original universe will remain at this stage], has been a bit, well, messy.

In stepped James Gunn and Peter Safran who have taken on the job of being the guiding light for the DCU moving forward, creating one new universe with movies, TV shows, animation, games and likely more all telling a big story; it’s an exciting project and, just like the DCEU before it, it makes sense to begin with Superman.

However, who Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel was superb, this new movie will take a different approach and will begin with a younger Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane who will live in a world that is already populated with heroes and villains from the DC universe – which is weird because when Justice League came out many said it kicked off everything too soon, but that’s a whole other conversation.

According to the trades in the know, the movie will be populated by many faces as it will seek to introduce DC heroes that are already established in the movie’s setting, meaning we might see Batman, Green Lantern, Flash or any other character right away.

On top of this, and I love this, Gunn confirmed to the Toronto Sun that Krypto the Super-Dog will be in Legacy! Yes! I believe this sets the tone of Gunn’s universe right away and, after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 4, I can’t wait to see what he does with Krypto.

Of course, we have seen Krypto in the Titans TV series and most recently in animation:

WATCH: DC League of Superpets’ second trailer is here and it looks like a lot of silly fun

As for who will be playing Clark/Superman, Lois and the main villain, Lex Luthor, there are rumours and casting news abound, so let’s see what we have.

For the role of Superman, word is that Pearl star David Corenswet, left, is one of the frontrunners for the gig; which makes sense as he has the classic look about him but also, and I’m sure it’s a coincidence he’s being considered, he looks like a young Henry Cavill.

There are also two others in consideration apparently but no world on who they are at this point.

for the role of Lex Luthor, there’s X-Men and Renfield star Nicholas Hoult (who I’m also hearing is in the Superman running too) and, if the internet is to be believed [and why would it not?] he’s a frontrunner for the gig. Hoult, for those who don’t know, was one of the top choices for Batman when Matt Reeves was looking for his Dark Knight, but he obviously lost out to Robert Pattinson… is second time the charm for Hoult’s DC dreams?

Interestingly, it seems that Gunn offered the gig to one of his Guardians of the Galaxy cast but they turned it down. I’m hearing it was Bradley Cooper but that’s not been confirmed. Some speculated it was Dave Bautista (because he’s usually bald, I guess?).

In a comment on a video shared to Instagram by Comic Book‘s Chris Killian, Bautista confirmed it wasn’t he that Gunn spoke with about the role: “Nope! No conversation,” Bautista said, adding: “No hurting people.” I’m not 100% sure what that last bit means but I assume it means he won’t be playing a bad guy… does that mean he’s been approached for another role? Who knows?:

As for Lois Lane? Well, word is that Sex Education star Rachel Brosnahan is the current flavour for the gig, but I’m also hearing that Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor and FTN favourite, Scream and Ready or Not star Samara Weaving is there too; I love Weaving but I don’t see her as Loia… but I’m sure there’s a lot of great DC roles out there she would kill in.

If you feel like buying some Superman Merchandise AND helping FTN out at the same time, then click here 

Interestingly, I have also heard that Cobra Kai star Mary Mouser is in the running. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

“We actually have some really great choices, which I’m excited about,” Gunn said recently of the casting of the Man of Steel, “but it has to be somebody who has all of the humanity that Superman has, but he’s also an alien. It’s gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has. And it has to be somebody that you want to give a hug.”

while being bombarded online for casting news, Gunn said that he would never reveal who is auditioning for a role as that’s an actor’s business, adding that right now “only one person has been CAST in Superman: Legacy, and it isn’t any of the regular players in the Superman world.”

Hmmmmmmmmmmm….

One final bit of news is that the movie is also looking at casting a role called Apex and that black actors have been auditioning for the gig, which has fans wondering if this is Apex Lex Luthor, a hybrid human/Martian with the strength of Superman; might we see Lex and Martian Manhunter meeting, leading to Apex in the movie? Sounds like Gunn is really looking to explode and explore the DC universe right from the get-go.

Thoughts? I know you have them! Voice-off in the usual ways on FTN’s FacebookTwitter and Instagram

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 embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.

Superman: Legacy releases in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Source: Toronto Sun, CBR, THR and The Wrap

Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….