Summary
- Superman: Legacy may introduce members of the Justice League, like Guy Gardner and Superman's supporting cast.
- The possible inclusion of Krypto in the film raises concerns about maintaining balance between humor and action.
- James Gunn's track record suggests he may successfully blend action and comedy like few others could.
Other than the fact that Superman: Legacy is on the way and that David Corenswet will take on the titular Man of Steel, and that it’s due out in theaters next summer, there isn’t a great deal known about the movie. There isn’t much known about the overall theme of the movie or who might the big villains that will take on James Gunn’s version of the DCU’s Superman. However, fans are getting a better picture of who else will fight crime alongside Kal-El of Krypton.
Superman: Legacy looks as though it will be used as a vehicle to begin DC’s answer to the Avengers saga and introduce at least a few early members of the Justice League. One member of the Green Lantern corps, Guy Gardner has been confirmed as appearing in the former of actor Nathan Fillion. The movie will almost certainly feature well known Superman characters like Lois Lane and Perry White. It now appears there might be an inclusion of a non-human character that has long been a favorite of at least a section of comic book readers. There’s a chance that Krypto the Superdog, could be slated for the film. The question is whether that’s a good sign or a bad one.
Superman: Legacy's Main Conflict Won't Be From A Villain
Superman: Legacy will see the Man of Steel once again try to save the world, but the main conflict will come from within.
Potential Krypto Addition to Superman: Legacy May Not Bode Well
One of the biggest things that brought down several of the DC films before James Gunn took over was that far too many of them were far too goofy. One only need to watch the opening scenes of The Flash to realize that movies that go out of their way to be over the top goofy in superhero stories are akin to shooting themselves in the foot. And it sure seems like bringing in Krypto would offer a level of goofiness that might ruin Superman: Legacy before it even gets off the ground. More importantly it could be a real hit to the DCU before it has a chance to really get up and running.
For now, at least, there is no confirmation that Krypto is indeed making an appearance in the upcoming Superman flick. However, at least one person who it seems would know thinks the superpowered pet plays a part. Comic book writer Mark Waid sat down for a recent episode of the Capes and Lunatics podcast and dropped what seemed like a pretty big bombshell.
In the podcast, Waid, who is best known in the DC comics world for writing Superman comic Kingdom Come alongside Batman/Superman: World's Finest, said that Superman: Legacy features “a super powered dog with heat vision."
"I have a good feeling about this movie. I like James Gunn. I like his reverential approach by and large to this kind of stuff. And reverential without taking it too seriously. The movie has a dog in it, a super powered dog with heat vision, so there's only so much... It ain't Zack Snyder."
The mention of Zack Snyder is intentional for a couple of different reasons. The first and most obvious is that the director was the first to offer up a Justice League in the modern annals of the DCU, though that has now been wiped out by Gunn’s revamp of the cinematic universe. The other is that Snyder’s movies tend to have a rather dark and serious tone to them. That film opens with a depiction of the fact that the world is indeed one that is struggling to find its footing, not just because of supervillains and aliens attacking but just because there is a level of meanness to everyday life.
Waid seems to think that Superman: Legacy will have quite a lighter tone. Assuming the famed comic book writer knows what he’s talking about, and that his comments weren’t a joke specifically meant as a misdirect to send people down the wrong rabbit hole, it’s hard to envision a movie that isn’t just a little goofy when talking about a super powered dog getting into the fray.
James Gunn Might Be The One To Pull It Off
While there is a very real danger that introducing Krypto into the mix means that Superman: Legacy could go off the rails, James Gunn is one of the few in the DCU who has been adept at blending hardcore action and entertaining stories with comedy in a way that doesn’t make it feel campy or overdone.
One example that demonstrates Gunn is the guy to pull it off is the second Suicide Squad film which was quite a bit better than its predecessor despite it actually offer far more laughs than the first iteration. There is also Gunn’s Max streaming series, Peacemaker which is about to get a Season 2 after being almost universally beloved by critics and audiences in its first season.
For now, Krypto isn't confirmed for Superman: Legacy
Gunn is clearly someone who can find a way to walk the line between funny and action packed. The worry here is because the line is as hard as it is to walk, Superman: Legacy might stumble and lean far too heavily towards goofy and less toward funny.
- Release Date
- July 11, 2025
- Runtime
- 130 minutes
- Director
- James Gunn
Cast
-
David CorenswetSuperman -
Rachel BrosnahanLois Lane
WHERE TO WATCH
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.' Rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill's departure from the role, honoring the character's roots as "the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way."
