Superman: Legacy release date, latest casting news and more

L, R: David Corenswet and Superman
(Image credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images; DC via YouTube)

James Gunn's apparently done re-casting Superman and Lois Lane for Superman: Legacy, the film he called "The true beginning of the DCU." So, goodbye Henry Cavill and Amy Adams, and hello David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan. Four more casting additions have been added below.

So, for everyone looking past Aquaman 2 and Blue Beetle, to the actual DCU movies that have been announced (and basically can be partially blamed for The Flash flopping), you now have a new name or two to get familiar with.

Oh, and just some context, Superman: Legacy is the first DCU movie, but these are the only upcoming DC movies. The DCU will sit adjacent to films like The Batman 2 (due Oct. 3, 2025) and Joker 2: Folie a Deux and J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates' Black Superman, which have the Elseworlds branding.

Superman: Legacy release date

Alongside the above announcement video, where we first learned about Superman: Legacy, we also learned that the film is coming on July 11, 2025. 

That mid-summer release date would suggest an early-fall streaming date on Max, but the ever-turbulent world of the best streaming services could be much different by 2025.

Superman: Legacy casting news

Three became one when The Wrap reported David Corenswet had been cast as James Gunn's Superman. The Hollywood Reporter had just recently reported the other potential Clark Kent potentials were Nicholas Hoult and Tom Brittney. 

Then, the outlet reported a surprising addition: Anthony Carrigan (Barry's NoHo Hank) will play a Rex Mason, an archeologist who turns into the hero Metamorpho.

Interestingly THR had stated the potential Clarks and Lois lanes had been seen in the "pre-determined pairs" of Nicholas Hoult with Rachel Brosnahan; Tom Brittney with Phoebe Dynevor and David Corenswet with Emma Mackey. Mackey also auditioned alongside Brittney and Hoult, but that apparently didn't ensure a role.

Corenswet's been paired with Hoult's Lois, as Rachel Brosnahan secured the role of Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane. Brosnahan is best known from playing Miriam "Midge" Maisel, an aspiring comedian, in the Prime Video series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Corenswet, for the unfamiliar, has appeared in TV and film since 2011, with early appearances including a single episode of House of Cards and the projectionist role in Pearl. 

Three more casting adds were announced in Vanity Fair: Isabela Merced as the winger brawler Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as the inventor and fighter Mister Terrific and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern.

Superman: Legacy plot

We have very simple details about Superman: Legacy's story. Peter Safran was quoted by Deadline as saying the film "focuses on Superman’s balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He’s the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, he’s kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned." 

More from Tom's Guide

Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.