James Gunn debunks more Superman casting rumors – and provides update on audition process

Superman
(Image credit: DC)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: writer-director James Gunn has taken to Twitter to debunk more casting rumors for Superman: Legacy.

In response to a report that DC Studios could be "close" to casting Clark Kent, Gunn replied, "Not true. Haven’t had a single talk with a single actor about the role. Just making private lists, prepping material for auditions."

In a follow-up tweet, he replied to speculation from YouTuber Grace Randolph that Percy Jackson actor Logan Lerman was "top choice" to play Superman with "For the record, I don’t know who that is."

Later, he clarified his comments: “Guys, this isn’t a dig at the actor. I don’t know lots of actors’ names. Now that you tell me who he is, I recognize him from stuff and think he’s talented. But I’ve never met him, and he’s never been part of a conversation about playing Superman.”

Superman: Legacy, written and directed by Gunn, is set to release on July 11, 2025. It’s set to be one of the leading lights in DC Studios’ new cinematic universe as part of Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran’s Chapter One, titled Gods and Monsters.

Gunn, meanwhile, is set to bring his stint in the MCU to a close with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 in May. Speaking to Total Film in its new issue – out today – he revealed why he felt so strongly about coming back for the threequel.

"The most important thing for me was Rocket's story, and then, following that, everybody else. Rocket is the secret protagonist of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and has always been the centre of it for me; and this is really fulfilling that. The reason I came back, and decided to do this movie, was because I really felt like Rocket's story needed to be told – and it was left hanging after Vol 2. So that's the most important thing."

For more on DC’s grand plans, check out our guide to upcoming DC movies and shows, plus all the new superhero movies flying your way very soon.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
David Corenswet as Superman
James Gunn has held screenings for Superman and the feedback means they're "making little changes" – and won't rule out "tiny" reshoots
Superman
James Gunn responds after new Superman flying clip goes viral for the wrong reasons: "There is absolutely zero CG"
James Gunn
James Gunn says he's busy writing his next DC Studios project, and fans think they've worked out what it is
Colin Farrell in The Penguin
James Gunn tries to clear up which projects are DC Studios, but it's still pretty confusing
David Corenswet as Superman in first look at James Gunn's new movie
Superman release date, trailer, cast, and everything you need to know about the new movie
Daniel Radcliffe in The Lost City / Clayface in DC comics
James Gunn denies DC casting rumors that Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe will play Clayface: "We certainly haven’t talked to or considered him"
Latest in DC Movies
James Gunn
James Gunn reacts to Jason Momoa almost spoiling his Lobo costume in an interview: "I just want to profoundly thank Jason’s publicist"
Jason Momoa next to Lobo
Jason Momoa has gone method taking on the role of Lobo: "I asked everybody to call me by my character's name"
Batgirl movie
Unearthed Daredevil-like fight scene from DC's canceled Batgirl movie gives us a taste of what we could have had
Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie
Jason Momoa says the DCU's Lobo is "exactly like" the comic book character in upcoming Supergirl movie
Guy Gardner Green Lantern in Superman
Nathan Fillion says his version of Green Lantern in James Gunn's Superman is "a jerk": "He's not nice, which is very freeing as an actor"
Zack Snyder's Justice League
Zack Snyder celebrates 4 years of the Snyder Cut of Justice League: "Still humbled by the fact that this exists at all"
Latest in News
Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton in Hawkeye
Linda Cardellini cast as Jason's mom, the original Friday the 13th killer, for Crystal Lake prequel series
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red won't make survival games just because they're popular, but Netflix's Edgerunners anime is fueling dreams bigger than RPGs
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel may have just sneakily confirmed one of the biggest Daredevil: Born Again fan theories
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”
The Legend of Dragoon
Beloved PS1 JRPG Legend of Dragoon wasn't meant to be a Final Fantasy 7 killer, Super Mario RPG's battle designer just said "I want to make a new RPG"