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 GamesRadar+, 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.