Reactions to the upcoming Superman film, directed by James Gunn, are reflecting strong emotional approval, especially from the grandsons of Jerry Siegel, co-creator of the iconic character, ahead of the movie’s official release. The early James Gunn Superman movie reactions highlight the collaborative spirit of the production and the film’s deep connection to Superman’s enduring legacy.
Siegel Family Praises Gunn’s Approach
James Gunn, the well-known writer and director, emphasized in recent interviews that his Superman project is the result of teamwork among many influential creators at DC. Upon reviewing Gunn’s script, Jerry Siegel’s grandsons expressed overwhelming enthusiasm about the film, a response that Gunn described as deeply moving. Their emotional endorsement was shared directly with Gunn, leading him to note the meaningful impact it had on him.
“One moment I really like, shed a tear, was when Jerry [Siegel]’s grandsons read the scripts for the first time,”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
“We brought them over to DC, we showed them the scripts in the office. And they came out, and they got on the phone with me, and they were just effusive. I’d never met them, but they were just effusive. They said ‘This is the Superman movie we’ve been waiting to see. Our grandfather would have been so proud.’ I’m gonna cry now! That meant a lot.”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
Homages and Collaborative Spirit On Set
The involvement of Superman’s co-creator Jerry Siegel’s grandsons in more than just the script review extends to cameo appearances as extras within the Daily Planet newsroom scenes. This commitment to honoring the creators‘ families is furthered by featuring Will Reeve, son of the late Christopher Reeve who famously portrayed Superman, in a special cameo. These gestures reinforce the film’s intention to integrate the franchise’s deep-rooted history and respect its founding visionaries, such as Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel.
“I thought it was important to have the history of Superman as a part of this movie. Because at the end of the day, I’m not the creator of this movie. Superman is a great collaboration of many creators and many people throughout the years, going back to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938. All the comic book writers, the makers of the radio serial, the TV shows, the serials and everything else. And I like to have that history as a part of it,”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
“So we have Will Reeve, Christopher Reeve’s son, in a cameo in the movie. Jerry Siegel’s grandsons are in the Daily Planet for the entire time. We had all the great Superman comic book writers come and hang out on set and watch a scene, and see everybody, and meet Lex [Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult] and David [Corenswet/Superman].”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
Notably, actors such as Nicholas Hoult, who takes on the role of Lex Luthor, and David Corenswet, playing Superman, were introduced to legendary Superman writers who visited the set, highlighting the film’s dedication to its creative heritage.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Release
Public and industry insiders have already begun to respond to early previews, describing Gunn’s film as “unique” and “damn beautiful.” Warner Bros. executives who watched initial cuts conveyed that Gunn has shown a strong grasp of the Superman assignment. Beyond the executives and creators, some online leaks have also surfaced, further fueling anticipation and emotional discussions among fans regarding this new direction for the superhero.
James Gunn has openly reflected on the influences that shaped his vision for this Superman film, including his experience after a controversial firing from Marvel, a period he describes as pivotal to developing the story at the heart of this reboot.
Release Date and What to Expect Next
The new Superman movie, guided by James Gunn’s reflective and collaborative approach, is set to premiere in theaters on July 11. Audiences can look forward to a film that not only offers a fresh narrative but also celebrates the longstanding contributions of Superman’s original creators, their families, and generations of comic book talent. The film continues to generate buzz as fans as well as DC insiders anticipate how Gunn’s interpretation will influence the future direction of DC’s cinematic universe.
