James Gunn knows that most comic book fans and the general public know the classic origin stories of some of our most iconic heroes, but does that mean we need to skip out on seeing them again?
A fan on Threads asked why Gunn is “overlooking origin stories” in the upcoming titles and how missing out stops the audience from “connecting with the characters well at an emotional level.”
Responding on the app, Gunn says: “I’m not telling Batman and Superman’s origin stories again because everyone knows them.” That doesn’t mean he’s skipping out on them entirely, especially considering the pop culture status.
This led to someone mentioning Swamp Thing being dubbed for ‘hardcore fans,’ with the filmmaker responding, “Don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner… he’s an incredibly well-known character with not only some of the greatest comics of all time but a successful film series and his own TV show, something that could be said of only a very small handful of DC characters.”
First up for James Gunn’s new DC Universe is the animated series Creature Commandos, followed by Gunn’s Superman reboot next summer.
Superman 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 stars David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern/Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela De Faría as The Engineer, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Alan Tudyk in a mystery role.
Superman will be released on July 11th, 2025.