50 Facts About Superman: Legacy (2025)

The Origins and Evolution of Superman

Superman, the brainchild of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, has been a cultural icon for nearly a century. His journey from comic book pages to the big screen is filled with fascinating details.

1. Superman was created by Jewish writers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1933 but didn't appear in comics until 1938 when he was sold to Detective Comics (now DC Comics) for $130.
2. The original concept of Superman depicted him as a bald telepathic villain bent on world domination, a far cry from the hero we know today.
3. Joe Shuster revealed that Superman was inspired by heroes such as Hercules and Flash Gordon, shaping his incredible strength and speed.

Superman's Powers and Abilities

Superman's abilities have evolved significantly since his debut, making him one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC Universe.

4. Initially, Superman's only powers were being “Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.”
5. Despite his incredible strength, Superman is not invincible. He can carry a book of infinite pages but is not faster than the Flash.
6. Most of Superman’s powers come from harnessing solar radiation from Earth’s yellow sun, which is why he wouldn’t have any powers on Krypton with its red sun.
7. Superman doesn’t need to eat or breathe air as he can live off solar energy alone, allowing him to survive in hostile environments.
8. His bio-electric aura protects his skin and costume, contributing to his invulnerability.
9. Superman’s most recent power, the “Super Flare,” releases all the solar energy in his body at once, causing a huge explosion but leaving him powerless for 24 hours.

Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities

Even Superman has his Achilles' heels, making him a more relatable and complex character.

10. Kryptonite, Superman’s most well-known weakness, first appeared in the Superman radio show in 1943 to explain the character’s absence during a voice actor’s time off.
11. Superman is vulnerable to magic and can lose his powers if exposed to a red sun. His X-Ray vision is also obstructed by lead.

Notable Characters and Relationships

Superman's world is populated with a rich cast of supporting characters and formidable foes.

12. Many of Superman’s supporting cast, like Jimmy Olsen and Perry White, did not debut with him but were introduced later.
13. Superman’s original arch-nemesis was not Lex Luthor but the telepathic primate Ultra-Humanite.
14. Lex Luthor’s hatred towards Superman originally stemmed from Superman making Lex bald, though this has evolved into more complex motivations.
15. Before becoming Superman, Clark Kent was known as Superboy, a name later changed in the New 52.

Fun and Unusual Facts

Superman's long history includes some truly unique and surprising moments.

16. George Reeves, who played Superman in the 1950s, once had to convince a young boy not to shoot him with a gun to see if the bullet would bounce off.
17. Clark Kent’s glasses are not the only thing hiding his true identity; he also changes his body language, deepens his voice, and acts differently.
18. Superman doesn’t wear a mask to gain people’s trust, as it’s easier for people to trust someone when they can see their face.
19. Superman was once bitten by Dracula, but his cells held so much solar radiation that Dracula exploded.
20. There have been six different Supergirls throughout Superman’s history.
21. Superman once held Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, during a crossover comic.
22. Due to his photographic memory and super speed, Superman can read enough books fast enough to gain a PhD-level knowledge within a certain field in seconds.
23. Superman does not drink alcohol and was once a vegetarian.
24. Superman’s favorite movie is "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Superman: Legacy (2025) – A New Era

The upcoming 2025 film, directed by James Gunn, promises to bring a fresh perspective to the iconic superhero.

25. The film takes inspiration from the comic book All-Star Superman (2005–2008) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, among others.
26. The film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
27. It is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on July 11, 2025.
28. The film is set to be the first film of the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, marking a new era for the DC Extended Universe.
29. The plot explores Clark Kent/Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human family in Smallville, Kansas.
30. Unlike previous Superman films, this one is not an origin story but focuses on Superman’s established role as a hero.
31. The film promises to include action, humor, and heart, driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.
32. James Gunn has revealed that he does not expect to do any reshoots for the film, indicating a high level of confidence in the initial production.

Characters and Plot Details

The film will feature a mix of familiar faces and new characters, adding depth to Superman's story.

33. The film will feature Angela Spica, aka The Engineer, played by María Gabriela de Faría, originally a Wildstorm character connected to the Authority.
34. Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor, portraying him as the CEO of LuthorCorp and Superman’s arch-nemesis.
35. The film takes inspiration from modern DC Comics tales, including Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Action Comics #775.
36. Clark Kent’s journey will focus on reconciling his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.
37. The film will feature an external threat from space, adding an element of danger and adventure.
38. David Corenswet confirmed that the reboot would be “totally its own thing” with a tone inspired by the comics and Superman For All Seasons.
39. Despite rumors, the film will not be a sleeper Justice League movie, focusing instead on Clark and Lois.
40. The primary protagonist of the film is Superman himself, with Lex Luthor as the main villain.

Production and Future Plans

James Gunn and DC Studios have ambitious plans for the future of Superman and the DC Universe.

41. The film will likely include other popular Superman characters, such as Jimmy Olsen and possibly other heroes from the DC Universe.
42. The film is part of DC Studios’ plans for a new interconnected DC film universe.
43. James Gunn felt emotionally connected to the film’s theme of reconciling heritage with upbringing, inspired by his late father.
44. The tone of the film will differ from Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, with a possibility of Superman’s dog Krypto appearing.
45. The film is part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU slate, which includes other projects like the Authority series.
46. Production on the film has wrapped, with a photo from the first week of shooting in Norway shared by the cast.
47. Unlike many superhero movies, James Gunn does not expect to do any reshoots for the highly anticipated reboot.
48. The film promises to include action, humor, and heart, driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.
49. The film marks a new era for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), aiming to launch a fresh start for Superman and the DCU.
50. The film is set to be released theatrically in the United States on July 11, 2025. Its success will determine whether James Gunn’s latest gamble works out, bringing a new lease on cinematic life to the iconic character of Superman.

Superman's New Era

Superman: Legacy (2025) is set to redefine the Man of Steel for a new generation. With James Gunn at the helm, fans can expect a film that honors the character's rich history while bringing fresh elements to the table. David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane promise to deliver compelling performances. The movie's focus on Clark Kent's struggle to balance his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing adds depth to the story. Featuring Lex Luthor as the main antagonist and introducing characters like The Engineer, the film aims to blend action, humor, and heart. Scheduled for release on July 11, 2025, this film marks the beginning of a new chapter in the DC Extended Universe. Fans, both old and new, have much to look forward to in this exciting reboot.