James Gunn Rules Out One Very High-Profile Actor For Superman Legacy

DC Studios boss James Gunn has shared new information on who he wants to play Superman in the upcoming Superman Legacy film that he is writing. Speaking to Variety, Gunn said the studio is already looking at "some really great choices," but he did not share any names except to confirm that it won't be Chris Pratt.

Superman Legacy will focus on a younger Clark Kent, so Pratt wouldn't work. "It's not Chris Pratt. If he was a few years younger, maybe." Pratt recently revealed that he auditioned for numerous superhero roles over the years and got rejected for all of them until Gunn cast him as Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy series.

Gunn went on to discuss at a high level what he's looking for in an actor. "The next Superman has to be someone who has all the humanity that Superman has but he's also an alien," Gunn said. "It's gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has and be somebody who you want to give a hug."

Will Poulter, who stars in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Adam Warlock, told Variety that he hadn't thought about auditioning for Gunn's Superman Legacy until the moment the interviewer asked, so he's an unlikely candidate for Superman.

Before this, Gunn said casting announcements for Superman Legacy won't be made in April or May, so June is the theoretical soonest that could happen. Earlier in April, Gunn confirmed that a casting search is now underway. A casting announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in July would seem to be fitting, but that's just conjecture.

Gunn also clarified that Warner Bros. Discovery is not giving notes to Gunn and his team for Superman Legacy because WB Discovery and DC Studios are different units. Finally, Gunn reiterated that the entire script for Superman Legacy is now finished, though of course scripts can change during production.

Henry Cavill--who played Superman in previous movies--originally announced that he would return to play Superman, and later confirmed he would leave The Witcher to presumably make room for this. However, not long after, it was confirmed that Cavill would not return to play Superman in Superman Legacy, which will focus on a younger Superman.

Superman Legacy is a prequel film that will follow a young Clark Kent during his time as a Daily Planet reporter, according to a previous story from The Hollywood Reporter.

Superman Legacy releases on July 11, 2025. Gunn is writing the movie but there is no word yet on a director. Gunn's next film is Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which releases on May 5.