The teaser trailer for Superman is upon us! With that news, we can share that we were able to take part in the Superman set visit earlier this year. Superman is arguably one of the most iconic superheroes of all time, carrying decades of cinematic legacy, yet Gunn’s approach feels like a breath of fresh air that is sorely needed within the Comic Book genre.
On the set, GoC got to participate in a roundtable discussion. During the conversation, Gunn reflected on the challenge of balancing Superman’s enduring legacy while creating something unmistakably new. Clearly, this wasn’t just another reboot; this was a reinvention that understands what Superman represents for generations of fans.
Legacy and Looking Forward: Evolving the Title
One of the most intriguing moments of our conversation was Gunn’s revelation about the film’s title evolution. Initially titled Superman: Legacy, the name felt, as Gunn put it, “too much about looking back.”
“I thought maybe the title had a looking-back feeling about it,” Gunn explained. “And this isn’t about looking back; this is about looking forward.”
His shift in mindset is the epitome of the film’s vision: honoring what came before without being trapped by it. Gunn hinted that legacy themes still play a critical role in the story, particularly in Clark Kent’s journey to understand “whose legacy he’s carrying.”
The ‘Pre-Mortem’ Process
There is a reason Gunn is one of the best directors in the comic book space. Hearing about a process he calls a pre-mortem blew my mind. If you’re unfamiliar, a pre-mortem is like a creative therapy session where the entire team imagines the worst-case scenario: What if this movie fails completely? What would be the reason?
“We go into a room with me and all the department heads, and we say, ‘Let’s say this movie is a colossal f-up. What are we doing right now that’s making this movie wrong?’” Gunn shared. “It gives a chance for everyone to speak their mind, from script concerns to communication issues.”
Can someone create a Pre-Mortem plan around my life, though?
The Weight of Starting the DCU
Excluding Creature Commandos, Superman is essentially acting as the official launchpad for Gunn and Peter Safran’s reimagined DC Universe, which means there’s no denying the stakes.
When asked about how much the film’s success impacts plans, Gunn was refreshingly candid:
“A lot,” he admitted. “We’re not just going to keep making moves. All of this — we have only one proven entity, which is Peacemaker… Superman is a critical first step.”
He reassured us that Superman isn’t weighed down by franchise setups or interconnected baggage. “Zero,” Gunn emphasized. “If something’s there just to set up something else, f— it. Everything in this movie exists for the movie itself.”
A Superman for Today
As he was talking, I realized Gunn’s Superman feels like more than just another superhero movie. Without seeing any footage, it already felt like a deeply human story that respects Clark Kent’s legacy while embracing a new future for the DC Universe.
“It’s about Clark’s relationship to being human, his relationship to his parents, and whose legacy he’s really carrying,” Gunn said.
For fans of the character—and for those of us at GoC who grew up believing that hope is Superman’s greatest power—Gunn’s vision feels bright, bold, and ready to inspire a new generation, especially with how these next few years are looking.
This is just the beginning of our coverage from the Superman set visit, so stay tuned for more exclusive insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes details as we get closer to release.