James Gunn stated that he was initially offered Superman but decided to go with The Suicide Squad instead.

      DC Studios has been contemplating a Superman reboot for quite a while, with discussions dating back to 2018. As James Gunn confirmed at this year's CinemaCon, Superman was on their agenda, but he opted for his cult favorite, The Suicide Squad, instead.

      During the transition from his time at Marvel to entering the DC universe, Gunn received an unexpected offer regarding Superman in 2018. This prompted him to establish a connection with DC, though he ultimately took a different path by creating a well-received interpretation of The Suicide Squad. This led to the development of the Peacemaker series, and before long, he felt prepared to take on the Man of Steel.

      He shared with the audience: “I wasn’t sure I could [direct Superman], it felt challenging… but the idea lingered. Then, one day, it struck me: crafting a story that is both deeply human and fantastical.”

      The Suicide Squad didn't achieve significant commercial success due to its release during the pandemic, yet it captivated audiences and garnered some of the most favorable reviews of any recent DC film. Gunn aims to replicate that success with his fresh perspective on the DC Universe. At the event, he announced, “This is a film that honors kindness and human love.”

      All appears to be going well for him as the Superman sizzle reel made a significant impact at CinemaCon. Fans will soon have the chance to view new footage ahead of The Minecraft Movie, which is set to debut online shortly afterward.

      Superman will depict the titular character's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian lineage with his upbringing as Clark Kent in Smallville, Kansas. He personifies truth, justice, and the American way, motivated by human compassion in a world that often regards kindness as outdated.

      The film features David Corenswet (Twisters) in the iconic roles of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (I’m Your Woman) as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu) as Lex Luthor. The cast also includes Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Sara Sampaio, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe.

      Superman is set to hit US theaters on July 11, 2025, and will be released internationally on July 9, 2025.