"Gods and Monsters," the first chapter of James Gunn's new DCU, will kick off on July 11, 2025, with Superman: Legacy, a fresh take on the iconic superhero. Back in February, Gunn posted the comics that will inspire this first slate of films. Among them, serving as the basis for Superman Legacy, was All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison.
Superman fans consistently list Morrison's book among the best in the hero's long and storied roster. But what makes All-Star Superman so beloved, and what plot and tonal elements should Gunn carry over for the new movie?
What Is The Plot of All-Star Superman?
It's unlikely that Superman Legacy will be a one-for-one adaptation of Morrison's comic, given that the book is all about Superman getting his affairs in order before his impending death. The action starts with an exploratory mission to Earth's sun led by Dr. Leo Quintum and his lunar-based research team, P.R.O.J.E.C.T. The mission is remotely sabotaged by an incarcerated Lex Luthor, who is serving out his sentence in relative luxury thanks to a deal with the U.S. government. When Superman saves the mission, he flies too close to the Sun, supercharging his Kryptonian cells and his powers.
While Superman draws his power from the Sun, the direct dose of solar energy is too much for his body to handle. His newfound power comes at a grave cost - he is dying, and there is nothing anyone can do to save him. After being sentenced to death, Luthor reveals that Superman's sickness was his design all along, and he can die happily knowing that he finally beat his nemesis. Narratively rich as all that is, those events are only the opener. The rest of the story sees Superman perform Twelve Labors that will define his legacy for generations to come.
The dynamics between Superman and his cast of supporting characters are largely the same as always. The story takes place deep in Superman's tenure, so except for Dr. Leo Quintum's team and a few baddies, there aren't many new faces. In the eyes of the world, and notably Lois Lane, Clark Kent is still a klutzy, if lovable, oaf. Luthor is bitter as ever, explaining during a death row interview that he hates Superman because he believes, not without cause, that he would've long been humanity's ruler if the hero had never crash-landed on Earth. One key difference is that Superman tells Lois he has been Clark all along. Her reaction and the moments the two share are among the story's finest moments.
Morrison's book runs the Superman gamut, providing a definitive tale for longtime fans and casual readers alike. From saving Earth from the Bizarro World, freeing the shrunken residents of Kandor (the last remaining Kryptonian city, shrunk and bottled by Brainiac to keep as a trophy), answering the cosmic Sphinx's unanswerable question, bringing order to the Phantom Zone, to creating life and so much more, All-Star Superman sees the hero finish all of his unfinished business. This is precisely why the book's plot isn't likely to be as instructive for Gunn as its visual aesthetic and tone.
How Will All-Star Superman's Tone Help Superman: Legacy Stand Apart?
For all its praises, Zack Snyder's Man of Steel never quite escaped the criticism that it was too dark (literally and tonally) for a Superman film. While the validity of that critique is entirely a matter of personal preference, what seems certain is that All-Star Superman should appeal to Man of Steel's fans and dissenters alike. Morrison has never been afraid of dark, emotionally complex themes. Accordingly, All-Star Superman has some undeniably heavy moments, but unlike Man of Steel, they aren't ever outweighed by the story's sense of sci-fantastic wonder.
Superman, at his best, is more than absurdly powerful punches, dizzyingly fast speed, and lifting heavy things. He is an explorer of the known and unknown universe. A sci-fi hero whose adventures frequently dip into Star Trek-level speculative absurdity. Overcoming the challenges he faces often requires just as much brain as brawn. It's a delicate balance and one that All-Star Superman strikes perfectly. Its hero is somehow simultaneously unflappably optimistic, intellectually brilliant, and innately human.
The story embraces all the weirdness of Golden Age comics with just enough emotional sincerity and modern groundedness to keep today's audiences from checking out. A trick Gunn himself has proven capable of pulling off. Just look at his recent work for proof. Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, and Guardians Vol. 3 are all wacky, far-out tales whose dazzling special effects and set pieces live harmoniously beside heart-wrenching and ultimately empowering plots. It's a potentially perilous balance that comic books figured out long ago and one that comic book-inspired media still occasionally struggles to navigate. Gunn instinctively understands that balance. It's the key to much of his success to date.
All told, Morrison and Gunn seem to be a match made in heaven, one the filmmaker can't wait to explore. Perhaps that's why Morrison will also be inspiring Gunn's new take on Batman. If the wait from now to 2025 seems unbearable, eager fans can read all of Morrison's work right now and capture that iconic magic in print before Gunn brings it to the silver screen.