James Gunn Gives Update on Ta-Nehisi Coates-Written 'Superman' Movie

Director James Gunn has clarified that Superman: Legacy will not impact the release of the Ta-Nehisi Coates-written Superman film.

Ta-Nehisi Coates' long-awaited Superman film has gotten an update. In a recent i09 interview, filmmaker James Gunn shared that Coates' film, also produced by J.J. Abrams would be a standalone movie, not impacted by Gunn'sSuperman: Legacy, which is expected to release on July 11, 2025.

“Those two things are totally unrelated,” Gunn told io9. “That’s an exciting movie. I know that Chantal Nong, who is the executive on that project, is extremely excited about it. So if it comes in and it’s great, which I haven’t read the script, and if the timing is right, that could absolutely happen. That’s totally unrelated. It would be an Elseworlds tale like Joker.”

Elseworlds is a DC imprint that will feature movies outside of the main DCU cannon. News of Coates' project was revealed in 2021, with Creed III actor Michael B. Jordan rumored as the star. While it hasn't been confirmed if the script is complete, the storyline will allegedly be a "period piece," centering a Black Superman and following  Kal-El during the 20th century. The film, which was last given an update in December of last year, will be the first DC live-action project to feature the Man of Steel as a different ethinicity.

No director has been attached, but in May 2021, insiders at Warner and DC told the THR that they're dedicated to finding a Black filmmaker "to tackle what will be the first cinematic incarnation of Superman featuring a Black actor.”

As for Superman: Legacy, Gunn hit the Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3red carpet last month and shared that there's "really great choices" up for the role.

"It has to be somebody who has all the humanity that Superman has, but he’s also an alien," he said. "It’s gotta be somebody who has the kindness and compassion that Superman has. And it has to be somebody that you’d want to give you a hug."