Milly Alcock stars in ‘Supergirl’. Photo: Warner Bros.
DC Studios’ next big film, ‘Supergirl‘, follows Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) as she travels across the galaxy with her dog Krypto, the fan favorite of 2025’s ‘Superman’. To celebrate the release of the first teaser trailer, Moviefone attended a press conference featuring Milly Alcock and director Craig Gillespie, moderated by James Gunn. ‘Supergirl’ comes to the big screen on June 26th, 2026.
When talking about her first day on the ser of ‘Supergirl’, Milly Alcock confirmed that Superman will be in the film, something fans hoped for but did not know for certain.
Milly Alcock: It was with Superman. And I wasn’t in the suit, and I was speaking a different language. That day was really hard. It was like two degrees. That was a hard day. The whole scene was in Kryptonian.
2) ‘Supergirl’ Shows Young Women It Is Okay To Be Flawed
James Gunn at CinemaCon 2025. Photo: Warner Bros.
Supergirl is not Superman, in that she is a very flawed individual. Both Milly Alcock and James Gunn agree that ‘Supergirl’ is about showing young women that this is perfectly okay.
Milly Alock: I think that what Supergirl represents for young women especially is that you can be flawed and that you can be openly, you don’t have to be perfect in order to come to some internal self-resolution. I think that we’re thrusted upon this narrative, especially women, that you have to be perfect in every aspect of your life. And I think that Kara is someone who so beautifully leans into her flaws. And I think that that’s really special.
James Gunn: Yeah, I agree with you. That’s really what spoke to me both in the book and on the script is that a lot of times for some reason our female superhero leads are just so much more perfect than our male. Tony Stark and Star-Lord are such messes. And yet that isn’t always the same thing for our female superhero leads and seeing somebody who was just so imperfect and such a mess but just really a beautiful soul.
3) Craig Gillespie Explains That The Fight Sequence Camera Work Changes A Lot During ‘Supergirl’
As discussed earlier, Kara Zor-El is a bit of a mess, and because of that, depending on what mood she is in and where they are in the story, the fight sequence camera work in ‘Supergirl’ changes.
Craig Gillespie: There was a lot going on, but it was really exciting in a way because in each case, it was always a little different. It’s like whether she had her full power, whether she had no power if she’s on a red planet, whether she has the fully generated power, and also emotionally where she is in the story dictated a lot of how these fight sequences go. So if she’s in a very angry place, it’s going to be a much more phonetically camera, like messy, kind of aggressive camera work. If she’s feeling in the zone, so to speak, the camera work gets more fluid. So trying to figure out where we are in the story and how that reinforces her emotionally with the fight sequences was really fun.
4) The Majority Of ‘Supergirl’ Takes Place In Space
Milly Alcock on the set of ‘Supergirl’. Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
‘Superman‘ and ‘Supergirl’ are very different films. They are both a very different tone, and ‘Supergirl’ takes place almost entirely in space, Craig Gillespie explains.
Craig Gillespie: They are so different in tone. And to be able to really lean into it and embrace it, and plus, are we allowed to say this? It’s like the whole movie takes place in outer space. So it’s a very different world to start with. We had a completely blank slate.
James Gunn: The outer space thing’s a big part of it. Because it is a space fantasy.
5) Krypto Is A Big Part Of ‘Supergirl’… And He Is Still Not A Good Boy
As seen in the teaser trailer, Krypto is going to be a big part of ‘Supergirl’, and to no one’s surprise, he is still not a good dog.
James Gunn: I think you’ll see pretty quickly he’s returning. I don’t think he knows what good is. I think he just exists in his own head space. He’s not a good dog. He’s a terrible dog. He continues to be a terrible dog. The difference is Kara loves him as a terrible dog. She loves him. Whereas he gets on Clark’s nerves, you know? Maybe he’ll get better.
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What is the plot of ‘Supergirl’?
While celebrating her 21st birthday, Kara Zor-El travels across the galaxy with her dog Krypto, during which she meets the young Ruthye Marye Knoll and goes on a “murderous quest for revenge”.
Fans are worried that James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ has too many characters in it.
James Gunn is known for large ensemble casts and knows how to write for them.
No one has ever complained about the numerous characters in ‘The Godfather’.
Every time a new trailer or TV spot for ‘Superman‘ is released, the internet is abuzz with people saying that there are too many characters. The concerns are that if there are too many characters, the story would be difficult to follow, there would be too many side plots to give the core story the time it needs, and the film would end up too oversaturated.
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The thing is, James Gunn is well known for his large ensemble casts. This is his wheelhouse, so there is no reason to be worried. He thrilled Marvel fans with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ trilogy, and his ‘The Suicide Squad‘ success surely had something to do with DC Studios handing him the reins as co-CEO.
On top of that, this feels like just another reason for people to complain about something they aren’t even that passionate about, as no one has ever said the same about ‘The Godfather‘, which has just as many characters.
The Prominent Characters In ‘Superman’ All Make Sense For The Story We Assume Is Being Told
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
One of the biggest thing that fans need to remember about ‘Superman’ is that this is technically the introduction into James Gunn’s DCU, as it is the first feature film. Yes, ‘Peacemaker‘ is (mostly) cannon and ‘Creature Commandos‘ is included yet animated, but this is the real start of Gunn’s plans. Because of this, it is necessary to establish the world that these heroes live in. Superman is not the only hero, and opting not to include any others would only hurt the believability of the story.
How many times have people asked where the Eternals or Namor were during the events of ‘Avengers: Infinity War‘ and ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ and why they never came to help? Even if Marvel tries to offer a reason, most viewers do not accept it. James Gunn is avoiding this response to ‘Superman’ by showing where the main characters of the DCU are during these events and establishing that they do exist in this world.
David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent / Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luther, can you imagine a story that only involves the three of them? Not only would it likely get very boring, very quickly, it risks being repetative and too closed off.
Adding in nurmerous characters (that are likely to not be a major part of the plot, mind you) such as Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr will bring in subplots and round out the universe, making it more realistic while simultaneously setting up for what is to come in future films and television projects.
If Anyone Can Handle An Ensemble Cast, It Is James Gunn
It is hard not to laugh at the idea that ‘Superman’ has too many characters when you look at who is behind it all. James Gunn is writing and directing, and if anyone knows his way around an ensemble cast, it is that man. He is a genuis when it comes to plucking characters out of obscurity and telling an emotional, exciting, and action-packed story around them.
While Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luther are undoubtedly household names, several other characters in ‘Superman’ are not. Those who do not read DC Comics and don’t immerse themselves in these worlds, probably have never heard of Mister Terrific or Steve Lombard. James Gunn excels at bringing these types of characters to life.
If you look at character list for ‘The Suicide Squad’, it has just as many, if not more, than ‘Superman’ does. There were two complete rosters in that movie and fans still soaked it all in and loved nearly every moment of it. James Gunn is brilliant when it comes to giving every character, big or small, their time to shine and justifying their reason to exist in that universe. There is no reason to believe he will not do the same with ‘Superman’.
No One Has Ever Said ‘The Godfather’ Has Too Many Characters
(L to R) James Caan, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and John Cazale in ‘The Godfather’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
The final point to make in this arguement is that no one has ever said ‘The Godfather’ had too many characters – and there are at least fifteen prominent characters in that movie. They do not all need a backstory for it to make sense that they exist in the world. Viewers don’t complain that the plot gets lost because there are so many of them, and ‘The Godfather’ certainly is not considered a bad movie (not even remotely).
This is just one example of a beloved film having multiple characters, each with a job to do to drive the plot forward even if you don’t know about their upbringing or their deep dark secrets. A movie can have one hundred main characters and still be good if the writing and the story being told is good.
James Gunn himself pointed out that ‘Oppenheimer‘ has three times as many speaking roles as ‘Superman’ does and promises that the film will not confuse anyone in an interview with IGN. Plus, ‘Superman’ isn’t even out yet, so can we please normalize saving the criticism of a movie until after you watch it?
(L to R) David Corenswet and Krypto in ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
Laura Linney is being linked to a role in DC/HBO series ‘Lanterns.’
There is speculation that she’s playing Carol Ferris.
Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre star in the new show.
Though it already has an impressive cast, new DC Studios/HBO comic book-based series ‘Lanterns’ appears to have gotten an extra shot of dramatic power.
No official confirmation has emerged yet, but Sneider is already speculating that she could be playing Carol Ferris, the love of Lantern Hal Jordan’s life (that role is being brought to screens by Kyle Chandler) and someone who ultimately –– in the comics, at least –– becomes the villain known as Star Sapphire.
That’s all still rumor and conjecture at this point, but we do know that Aaron Pierre is co-starring alongside Chandler as fellow Lantern John Stewart.
What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big DC Studios announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Chandler and Pierre characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
“From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama –– rooted in nuanced storytelling and rich world building –– that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.”
But there will be some powerful antagonism involved, as Ulrich Thomsen is playing Sinestro a former Green Lantern who turned rogue and is described as ruthless yet charming.
His manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan. The character was created by John Broome and Gil Kane and first appeared in the comic book “Green Lantern, Volume 2, #56” released in 1961.
In breaking news, Deadline brings word that Chris Coy is also part of the ensemble.
In a guest starring role, Coy will be the new character of ‘Waylon Sanders,’ an intelligent survivor… or a nervous truck driver. Age and real name unknown, he’s unbound by the laws of nature.
More recently, we learned that Nathan Fillion would be bringing his Guy Gardner character –– another Lantern –– to the show, following his debut in James Gunn‘s ‘Superman’ this summer.
Who is working on ‘Lanterns’?
James Gunn at CinemaCon 2025. Photo: Warner Bros.
Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is running the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).
Here’s what Hawes has had to say to Collider about his approach to the show:
“There is a very particular humor that they brought to this. It’s very rooted in a way that I like to think we achieve with ‘Slow Horses,’ that I achieve with things like my ‘Black Mirror’ [episodes], and yet there is a rich vein of humor running through it. I’m such a huge fan of Damon [Lindelof] and Chris [Mundy] and the writing that they’ve done in the past… You always find a scene or two that you think, ‘I cant wait to be stood beside the camera and the cast, directing this scene on the day.’ “
Katherine McNamara on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
Actress Katherine McNamara discusses her role in ‘Arrow’ season 8 and ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’
McNamara also talked about the failed pilot for ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ and why it was not picked up for series
Will we ever find out who abducted William Clayton? And what other storylines would have been explored in the spinoff?
And if she would want to reprise her role in James Gunn’s DC Universe
After eight successful seasons and launching the ‘Arrowverse’ series of TV shows, the flagship DC Comics series ‘Arrow’ ended in 2020 after the very successful crossover event ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’.
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Through a complicated time traveling plotline, Oliver Queen’s (Stephen Amell) adult daughter Mia Smoak played by actress Katherine McNamara was introduced in ‘Arrow’s final season and participated in ‘Crisis’. With the show ending, the idea was to spinoff McNamara’s character with her own series entitled ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’, which would have seen Mia take on her father’s superhero mantle, alongside Katie Cassidy and Juliana Harkavy, reprising their roles from ‘Arrow’.
In fact, the penultimate episode of the final season of ‘Arrow’ was a backdoor pilot to ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’, entitled ‘Livin’ in the Future’, which took place twenty years after the finale of ‘Arrow’. The episode features a future timeline where Mia never becomes the Green Arrow, but after a time displaced Dinah Drake (Harkavy) restores Mia’s memories of the other timeline, she takes on her father’s superhero identity to stop a new Deathstroke, who may or may not be her fiancé, John Diggle Jr. (Charlie Barnett). The episode ends on a cliffhanger, where Mia’s brother, William Clayton (Ben Lewis), is mysteriously abducted.
However, the series was ultimately not picked up because of COVID, or possibly James Gunntaking over DC Studios and effectively ending the ‘Arrowverse’ and any DC TV show not connected to his future-plans. While McNamara did reprise her role as Mia briefly in the final season of ‘The Flash’, she was still looking for her brother, and ultimately no satisfying conclusion to that storyline was given.
Katherine McNamara in ‘High Ground’. Photo: Republic Pictures.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actress Katherine McNamara about her work on ‘High Ground,’ which was directed by ‘Arrow’ alum James Bamford and will be available to buy on digital beginning March 18th.
In addition to ‘High Ground’, we also spoke to McNamara about joining the final season of ‘Arrow’, her involvement in the groundbreaking ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ crossover, why ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ did not go to series, what that show’s storyline would have been, reprising her role in the final season of ‘The Flash’, and if she would want to return to the role in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.
(L to R) Katherine McNamara and Stephen Amell on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
To begin with, McNamara discussed what it was like to join ‘Arrow’ for the final season and be a part of the ‘Arrowverse’ of TV shows.
“I’d obviously seen how beloved Oliver and Felicity as individual characters were, but also as a couple. When I auditioned, I had no idea that that is the character I was auditioning for. I didn’t know until after I was cast. Suddenly, I got this news that I was the human product of Oliver and Felicity, and I’m going, “Oh, I have big shoes to fill. All right, let’s see.” It was amazing, because obviously Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards did such incredible work on that show and had seven seasons at that point of rich character work.”
McNamara also talked about her research and approach to playing the role.
“I watched the whole series, and I was able to kind of cherry pick different qualities, good and bad of each of their characters, and mush them together to create Mia. Taking Felicity’s sense of humor and Oliver’s walk and his propensity to have a short temper, but also her mother’s strategy, and being able to blend those things together to create this new character that the writers gave such a beautiful, twisted, deep story to. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. “
Making ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’
‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’. Photo: Warner Bros.
The ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event featured the first-time fans got a glimpse of Mia in her Green Arrow uniform, and McNamara talked about that process and shooting the crossover.
“I mean, that crossover episode series, I was pinching myself the entire time. It was the first time I got to wear my super suit, which we had spent months and months designing. Our costume designer, Brie Thorpe, and Ocean Drive Leather who made all the suits for all the shows, by the way, they’re insanely talented, those folks over there. But they took such care in crafting me a suit down to the fabric it’s made of, which is this thing called Euro jersey. But they made a special fabric for Mia’s suit that. It was this dark green, but it had little teeny tiny arrows on it. Nobody would ever be able to see it except for me, but it meant so much that they had put that level of detail and thought into crafting her suit. We redesigned the mask to be more like the comics as opposed to what we’d had on the show for years to kind of differentiate Mia. But, even in just being a part of such a legacy of television was a huge honor.”
What happened to ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’?
(L to R) Juliana Harkavy, Katherine McNamara and Katie Cassidy on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
McNamara also discussed making the ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ backdoor pilot episode that aired before the finale of ‘Arrow’.
“We did a pilot for a spinoff, and I would’ve loved to continue that had the pandemic not gotten in the way. But I was grateful to have been brought back on several of the other shows over the years just to put the suit on again, as it were.”
We followed up to ask her if the pandemic was the entire reason that the proposed series was not picked up, or if it may have also had to do with James Gunn’s takeover of DC Studios.
“As far as I know, that’s what I heard. But who knows in the end? But that’s what I was told, and it is sad, because I know all of us really were looking forward to continuing the show and continuing to be a part of the ‘Arrowverse’. But maybe there’s a world somewhere. I just want to find my brother. That’s the thing.”
Finding Closure on ‘The Flash’
(L to R) Brandon Routh, Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Chyler Leigh, Katherine McNamara, Cress Williams, and Javicia Leslie in season 9 of ‘The Flash’. Photo: Warner Bros.
McNamara did reprise her role in the final season of ‘The Flash’, but while William’s abduction was mentioned, no true conclusion to that storyline was given. We asked the actress if she felt like that episode of ‘Flash’ gave her and her character closure.
“A little bit. But I feel like at this point, it’s either (William’s) superhero or super villain origin story, and I want to see that come to fruition in some universe someday.”
What was the storyline going to be on ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’?
Katherine McNamara on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
We followed up by asking the actress if she was ever told the plot for the first season of ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’.
“I do know some secrets, but I promised I would never share them. It was good. I remember I was sitting in the airport flying back from Vancouver one day when the two writers that were working on the spin-off called me and told me everything. I was just in the airport lounge bawling because it was so amazing and beyond my wildest dreams and one of the most beautiful but twisted, but insanely action-packed setups for a series. One more thing that’s just lost to television time.”
Could Mia Smoak return in James Gunn’s DC Universe?
James Gunn in ‘Superpowered: The DC Story.’ Photograph by Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros.
Finally, we asked McNamara if she would be willing to reprise her role as Green Arrow in a future DC Studios’ project if she were to get a call from James Gunn.
“I’m a big fan, so I am down. If he wants the Green Arrow in the movie verse of DC, I volunteer as tribute.”
(Left) Matthias Schoenaerts in ‘The Regime.’ Photograph by Miya Mizuno/HBO. (Right) DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
Preview:
Matthias Schoenaerts is joining Supergirl.
He’ll play the villain opposite Milly Alcock’s conflicted title character.
‘Cruella’s Craig Gillespie is in the director’s chair.
(Left) Milly Alcock in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photo: Ollie Upton / HBO. (Right) DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
Alcock will reportedly first show up in another DC movie (the main speculation has been on James Gunn’s ‘Superman’, though the director has shot that down online, even if it seems unlikely there will be another release from Warner Bros./DC between ‘Superman’ and ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’)
‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ will be a big-scale sci-fi film based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s comic run. It features a “darker, harsher” version of Kara Zor-El raised on a surviving chunk of Krypton who sees everyone around her die.
This is what Gunn said at the time of the announcement:
“This is a very different type of Supergirl. In our film, we see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from, you know, the time he’s an infant, versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip-off of Krypton and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life, and then came to Earth when she was a young girl and is much more hardcore. She’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re used to seeing.”
Who will Schoenaerts play in ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’?
Matthias Schoenaerts in ‘The Regime.’ Photograph by Miya Mizuno/HBO.
Assuming the movie maintains the comic’s storyline, Schoenaerts will be playing Krem of the Yellow Hill, who kills a young alien girl’s father. She then draws Supergirl into the conflict.
And, more controversially, he also kills Supergirl’s dog, leading her to go all ‘John Wick.’
While the actor is more known for his indie movie and European work (including the likes of ‘Rust and Bone,’ ‘The Danish Girl’ and Luca Guadagnino’s ‘A Bigger Splash’), Schoenaerts is not a stranger to comic book-based movies, having appeared in Netflix’s ‘The Old Guard’ (he’s back for the sequel, which is still awaiting a release slot.)
Craig Gillespie is making the new movie. Gillespie brings a lot of experience to the table –– he’s directed several movies with female characters at their heart (including ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Cruella’), and is also adept at balancing tone.
The cameras will be rolling this coming January in the UK.
Ana Nogueira has been adapting the comic book with some input from Tom King. DC Studios bosses Gunn and Peter Safran are producing, and DC executive vice president Chantal Nong is an executive producer.
(Left) Kyle Chandler in ‘Friday Night Lights’. Photo: Universal Television. (Left) DC Comics’ Green Lantern. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Kyle Chandler is in talks to play Hal Jordan in DC’s ‘Lanterns’ series.
Josh Brolin was previously offered the role.
Damon Lindelof and Chris Mundy are among the producers of the new show.
Josh Brolin may not have agreed to the solemn duty of wearing and using the Green Lantern ring for the long-gestating DC StudiosTV series for HBO based on the comic book property, but now we know who –– at least is in talks to do so –– as Deadline has learned that ‘Friday Night Lights’ veteran Kyle Chandler is in talks for the Hal Jordan role originally offered to Brolin.
With the show finally up and heading into a more solid production phase, we can expect to hear more casting news soon.
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What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
DC Comics’ Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Photo courtesy of DC.com.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan and John Stewart characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
Who is working on ‘Lanterns’?
(L to R) Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
And, according to Jeff Sneider, there have been talks for Lindelof’s ‘Watchmen’ collaborator, director Stephen Williams, to handle the first episode of the new series.
According to various sources, the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Chris Pine and Ewan McGregor were all on the radar for this one around the time that Brolin was being approached. But it would seem that the team has at least locked into one of its leads, with the John Stewart news still to come.
With David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Gunn has been busy making the movie under great scrutiny, his concept for Superman seen as partly defining the way ahead for DC on screens big and small.
Now, though, barring any planned additional footage shoots, Gunn is headed into the post-production stage ahead of the movie’s release next year. We can likely expect at least the first teaser before the year is out.
“And that’s a wrap,” Gunn posted on Instagram about wrapping. “God bless our cast and crew whose commitment, creativity, and hard work have brought this project to life.”
David Corenswet as Superman in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’. Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram.
Little is truly known about the plotline at this point, but Gunn has been clear that he’s eschewing the usual exploding home planet Krypton/arrival in Smallville origin story (though those will likely be referenced) in favor of more of a workplace film with Clark showing up to work at the Planet, where Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) will already be an established reporting star.
Peter Safran, Gunn’s co-chief of DC Studios (and a producer on the movie) said this about the new movie during the duo’s big announcement about DC films and series going forward:
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
Who is appearing in ‘Superman’?
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
Alongside Corenswet and Brosnahan, there’s an eclectic, sprawling cast.
That’s the main ensemble; we can expect an appearance from Gunn’s brother Sean (a regular in his movies, who has played the likes of Kraglin and provided the on-set reference performance and voice for Rocket Raccoon in the ‘Guardians’ franchise) as the villainous Maxwell Lord.
Opening in North America theaters on December 1st is the English-dubbed version of Andrea Eckerbom’s hit Norwegian CGI-live action hybrid movie ‘Teddy’s Christmas,’ which features the voice of Zachary Levi (‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’) in the title role.
Zachary Levi stars in ‘Teddy’s Christmas,’ which opens in U.S. theaters on December 1st.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Zachary Levi about his work on ‘Teddy’s Christmas,’ how he got involved in the project, dubbing another actor’s performance, working with the director, playing a different type of character, and making a Christmas movie, as well as his opinion on the state of Superhero movies today.
Zachary Levi attends the World Premiere of ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ in Westwood, CA. Photo: Eric Charbonneau.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
Moviefone: To begin with, how did you get involved with ‘Teddy’s Christmas,’ and what was it like dubbing over another actor’s performance?
Zachary Levi: I got involved because they came with an offer. They said, “Hey. We made this delightful little movie, ‘Teddy’s Christmas,’ in a very different language, and we’d like to bring it to the American market. We think Zach would be the perfect English voice to be Teddy.” I thought, like I said, it was a delightful project. It was already really a wonderful little film that they had made, and I’d never voiced a teddy bear before. You got to do that once in your life. But also, I had never dubbed anything. I had been dubbed, but I was never the dubber. I was like, “This could be a really interesting challenge. I’ve never done that.” That’s honestly a lot of what I try to do when I’m picking roles, is there a challenge in there somewhere? Is there something I’ve never done? Is it a skill I need to learn, or an emotional place I’ve never been to, or a character I’ve never really put on? In this case, it was a little bit of all that in that I’d never played this exact type of character, but also, I had never dubbed anything. I thought that would be an interesting experience, and it was, by the way. It’s an interesting challenge, because you must do it, obviously, in sync. I mean, fortunately, Teddy doesn’t have lips, so it’s more of an open and shut case, if you will. But still, you got to kind of line it up to that, and then, also, there’s a certain amount of time Teddy’s talking. So, whatever you’re saying must fit into that time, whereas if we’re doing an original piece, the lines can be kind of as long or short or whatever. You’re creating it in the moment. But with this role with Teddy, it was a different type of challenge, but a fun one.
‘Teddy’s Christmas’ opens in U.S. theaters on December 1st.
MF: There is a lot of Norwegian humor in the movie. Did you watch the original Norwegian film first, and did any of the jokes go over your head?
ZL: I didn’t get all the jokes until later when we were recording. You’re basically going scene by scene, line by line. But it was interesting because I understood. Not only did I understand the script and the story better doing that, but also, we were able to adjust. Because there were certain references that were very Norwegian and there was no translational equal in English. So, we were kind of having to figure that out, like, “Oh yeah. What would we say here?” Also, “What do we say here that matches Teddy’s mouth that is this long of a sentence or a time?” So yes and no. Watching it, you don’t really understand all of it, because again, there’s some inside baseball stuff for those guys. But then, that also made it more challenging and therefore more enjoyable in some ways.
Zachary Levi stars in ‘Teddy’s Christmas,’ which opens in U.S. theaters on December 1st.
MF: What was the recording process like, and did you find Teddy’s voice right away?
ZL: Well, the voice was me, basically. Listen, I do all kinds of different voices, dialects, accents and stuff, but I don’t get hired for that as much. I think also, part of getting hired was that they’re looking for an actor of some repute, of some kind of name or marquee value, because they’re bringing this movie to the U.S. So in that case, they’re banking on your voice, because nobody can see your face. So, if I change my voice too much, then it’s like, “Why did we hire that guy? We didn’t need that guy. We could go get somebody else.” So, the voice was pretty much still my voice, but obviously, the character of Teddy is not exactly my character. It’s interesting, because he’s kind of very naive to most things in the world. He’s this stuffed animal come to life with all his little toy friends, and so they’re very ignorant about a lot of things. But also, he’s already got all these big dreams. He’s like, “I want to go travel, and see this, and do that,” and this ego that’s in him of like, ” I can’t do that with a kid. I need an adult. I need an adult that’s got money, baby.” So, it was fun getting to hold those two things, those seemingly very paradoxical things, this naivete, but also this almost jaded ego. The director for my sessions was a wonderful dude who was not in the booth with me. I think he was in Germany, and he gets hired to do a lot of these foreign language projects because he speaks multiple languages. So, what he’ll do is he’ll watch the foreign language version and get the translation of that. Then, he’s looking at Teddy and all the human’s mouths and everything, and he’s trying to rewrite the exact sentiment, but in different wording so that it matches the way the lips would move if you’re saying it in English because obviously, languages transpose a lot of different things and whatnot. So, it’s really a fascinating job, and because I had never dubbed anything, I had never really met anyone like him. So that’s how the process was. It was a couple different sessions, and we just, very systematically, thoroughly made our way through and made sure that it was all there, that the tone was all there, that it matched with the rest of what the movie is and what everybody else was doing, and that all the lips were synced, and that was that.
‘Teddy’s Christmas’ opens in U.S. theaters on December 1st.
MF: Teddy is a different type of character than we’ve seen you play in the past. Can you talk about the challenges of playing this role, and since this is a Christmas movie, do you hope that the film will become a holiday tradition for families to watch?
ZL: I mean, nail on the head in that that’s so much of what you hope for. I mean, listen, every time I take on a job, anytime I go do a movie or a TV show or whatever it is that I’m doing, my initial hope is, “I hope this blesses people. I hope that this brings joy, love, peace, and hope.” Or with dramatic roles, “Does it shine a light on something important? Does it stir something in their soul? Does it make them angry about something?” Sometimes, you need to get people to say, “What’s going on in the world? Let’s go make a change. Let’s do something about it.” So that’s the initial hope, that whoever sees it, whenever they see it, that they’re positively affected by the piece. Holiday movies are, more than any other season or other holiday, Christmas holiday movies have a season, and they come through. They’re on, and you want to watch them, because they keep you in that same festive, holiday kind of vibe, which is the best part about the holidays. All the running around and the stress of getting all the gifts and doing all the things, we should all be generous, but we should be generous all year long. It’s one of the things about the holidays that’s always kind of bugged me. I feel like everybody waits for Thanksgiving to be thankful, and they wait for Christmas to be generous. It’s like, how about you just do that all year long? Why do we need a day to remind us? Because we’ve lost our way. So, it’s great to be a part of that ethos with holiday films, and I’ve gotten to do a couple of them now at this point. I love it. Also, I love being able to make movies that, while Teddy isn’t exactly a character I’ve ever played before, the four-quadrant family entertainment of it all is something I’m very well familiar with, versed in, and blessed by, and I’ve been blessed by for many years. I love that I’ve been doing this for 25 years as an actor professionally, which is crazy. So, it’s amazing. But I’ve been doing this for this long, and I’ve gotten to do, essentially, family entertainment since the beginning of my career. So, there are kids that watched ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel’ and ‘Chuck’. Right? That was back in 2007. Those children are adults now. They’re adults, and I’ll meet them, and they go, “I loved you in ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks,’” or “I loved you in ‘Chuck,’” or ‘Tangled,’ or ‘Shazam!’ or the various things I’ve gotten to do. So, I hope that this is one of those things, too. I hope that there are kids years from now that go, “Were you the voice of Teddy in ‘Teddy’s Christmas?’ I loved that movie when I was a kid,” or even adults that I’ll meet now, and hopefully they enjoy it just as much.
MF: Finally, as you are probably aware, there has been a lot of online chatter recently that the superhero genre is dying because both Marvel and DC have had a difficult time at the box office this year. You’ve appeared in both Marvel movies (‘Thor: The Dark World’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’) and DC films (‘Shazam!’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’), so you are uniquely qualified to answer this question. In your opinion, what do you think is the future of superhero movies? Are audiences tired of the genre or do you think it will make a comeback?
ZL: Well, listen, I’m not the authority on the matter in that I’m sure the people at the top of Marvel and DC, they’re all having conversations, possibly even with each other, commiserating about these various things. So, 15 years ago, that was really the beginning with ‘Iron Man.’ Not that there weren’t other superhero movies prior to that. Obviously, Michael Keaton‘s ‘Batman’ and ‘Superman,’ things that were still very powerful. It was like, “Now, we have the special effects. We have CG, and it’s ready.” Because there were some movies that could have been pretty good, but the CG wasn’t great yet, and ‘Iron Man,’ from soup to nuts, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau created something very special. Then, the computer graphics were there, and that really led the charge into, I think, the modern era of these last 15 years of superhero movies. There have been so many great ones, I think in both universes. But listen, the state of it all right now, I think that there are things going on internally, I’m sure, at each company. There are things unique to those companies that they are navigating, they are trying to figure out and bring audiences the best movies that they can, I hope. It’s all above my pay grade, but I will concur that I think it’s obvious that too much of a good thing is too much. Also, maybe it’s not even just too much of a good thing. Maybe it was a good thing for a while, and now it is losing. It’s not just people burning out on the genre, but also studios and filmmakers having a harder and harder time reinventing the genre. The formula starts looking old, and you’re like, “Do we do the formula? Because the formula worked.” Sometimes people really want that. They really want the formula, audiences, but then, also, they don’t. You know? I think a great example of something like that, in fact, it’s a perfect example, is ‘Joker.’ While not a superhero movie, obviously, it’s a supervillain movie, but a super comic movie, nonetheless. What they did with that film was a reinvention on the genre. Right? It was the same genre, essentially, I mean the same universe, but kind of a different genre, because it was like ‘Taxi Driver.’ It was like this exploration of mental health and illness, which I thought was incredible, and it won so big, and deservedly so. Because it wasn’t just making a Joker movie that would somehow fit into the same slipstream as everything else. So, I think that’s what it’s going to take. I think it’s going to take not just, hopefully, people being less fatigued, but I think the fatigue is directly connected to the fact that they’re tired of the same thing. If we can give them even variations on the theme, like, “Well, here’s what we were doing, and here, we’re going to do this.” Maybe that can even fit into this universe? I like that finally, both universes are claiming a multiverse, because a multiverse essentially allows you to not have to connect everything. Everything can kind of exist in its own thing, and if you want to, you can connect a character, but it’s played by a different actor. Because it’s that human playing that character in that part of the multiverse. So, I think the more that we can think outside the box into those worlds, and making movies that are even more specific to that character in that universe, I think will be cool. I think that will help.
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What is the plot of ‘Teddy’s Christmas?’
While visiting a Christmas market in her Norwegian town, eight-year-old Mariann (Marte Klerck-Nilssen) suddenly sees an unbelievable sight: on the top shelf of a carnival game booth, the most adorable stuffed teddy bear (Zachary Levi) has just moved his head and sneezed. Feeling an instant connection with the living stuffed-animal, Mariann can’t think of any better Christmas wish than to win him as a prize. But when someone else wins Teddy, it’s up to him and his new hedgehog friend, Bolla (Lene Kongsvik Johansen), to reconnect with Mariann and discover the true importance of family and friendship.
Skyler Gisondo has been cast as Jimmy Olsen in ‘Superman: Legacy’.
Sara Sampaio has also joined the movie as Eve Teschmacher.
Director James Gunn has been busy building his cast around stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan.
As he looks to get the movie chugging towards production again in the wake of the writers and actors’ strikes, filmmaker James Gunn is quickly building the cast he needs for ‘Superman: Legacy’.
There has been a flurry of new casting of late, with Nicholas Hoult the most recent addition as villain Lex Luthor.
Today brings word that Skyler Gisondo, seen in movies such as ‘Booksmart’ and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’, has won the role of Jimmy Olsen. Sara Sampaio, meanwhile, will play Luthor’s assistant (and often love interest) Eve Teschmacher.
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What’s the story of ‘Superman: Legacy’?
(Left) Writer, director, co-chairmen and co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn. Photo courtesy of James Gunn’s Twitter account. (Right) Superman. Photo courtesy of DC Comics.com.
The exact storyline remains a mystery, but Gunn has been clear that he’s eschewing the usual exploding home planet Krypton/arrival in Smallville origin story (though those will likely be referenced) in favor of more of a workplace film with Clark showing up to work at the Planet, where Lois Lane will already be an established reporting star.
Peter Safran said this about the new movie during the duo’s big announcement about DC films and series going forward:
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
Who else is in ‘Superman: Legacy’
(Left) David Corenswet in Netflix’s ‘The Politician.’ (Right) Rachel Brosnahan on Prime Video’s ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’
Gunn has already found both his Superman and Lois, as David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan were announced before the actors’ strike began.
Shortly after that, we learned that Isabela Merced nabbed the part of Hawkgirl, regular Gunn actor Nathan Fillion would be taking the role of Green Lantern Guy Gardner, with ‘Barry’s Anthony Carrigan winning the character of Metamorpho and ‘Twilight’ veteran Ed Gathegi aboard as Mister Terrific.
More recently (as in, the last week or so), María Gabriela de Faría, who will play The Engineer, and as mentioned above, Nicholas Hoult is on to be Lex Luthor.
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Olsen debuted in comics form in Superman #13 (November–December 1941) and on the radio.
He traditionally appears as the best friend to Clark Kent (Superman’s cover story) and works as a photojournalist at the Daily Planet alongside Clark and Lois.
Who is Eve Teschmacher?
(Left) Sara Sampaio in ‘Carga.’ (Right) Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher in ‘Superman.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
As opposed to many of the other Superman characters who got their start on the comics page or radio serials, Miss Teschmacher was created for 1978’s ‘Superman’ by director Richard Donner and writer Mario Puzo. Played in that film and sequel ‘Superman II’ by Valerie Perrine (where she was Lex Luthor’s associate), the character also since crossed over into the comics and has appeared in other DC spin-offs, including ‘Supergirl’.
When will ‘Superman: Legacy’ be in theaters?
The new Superman film is scheduled to be in theaters on July 11, 2025.
James Gunn in ‘Superpowered: The DC Story.’ Photograph by Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros.
Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor in ‘Superman: Legacy’.
James Gunn is directing the film, with David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
The film will be in theaters in 2025.
With the end of the actors’ strike, we’re now seeing a torrent of casting announcements, with names being attached to projects big and small all over Hollywood.
The latest is one that many had speculated one –– despite being rumored as a potential candidate to don the cape himself and play Superman, Nicholas Hoult has instead won the role of the hero’s main antagonist, the genius criminal Lex Luthor. Which feels like a good use of his particular style and charms.
James Gunn has written and will direct ‘Superman: Legacy,’ which though it will follow a couple of TV shows to screens is intended to spearhead his new take on the DC movie universe.
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What’s the story of ‘Superman: Legacy’?
(Left) Writer, director, co-chairmen and co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn. Photo courtesy of James Gunn’s Twitter account. (Right) Superman. Photo courtesy of DC Comics.com.
Little is truly known about the plotline at this point, but Gunn has been clear that he’s eschewing the usual exploding home planet Krypton/arrival in Smallville origin story (though those will likely be referenced) in favor of more of a workplace film with Clark showing up to work at the Planet, where Lois Lane will already be an established reporting star.
Peter Safran said this about the new movie during the duo’s big announcement about DC films and series going forward:
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
(Left) David Corenswet in Netflix’s ‘The Politician.’ (Right) Rachel Brosnahan on Prime Video’s ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’
Gunn has already found both his Superman and Lois, as David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan were announced before the actors’ strike began.
Shortly after that, we learned that Isabela Merced nabbed the part of Hawkgirl, regular Gunn actor Nathan Fillion would be taking the role of Green Lantern Guy Gardner, with ‘Barry’s Anthony Carrigan winning the character of Metamorpho and ‘Twilight’ veteran Ed Gathegi aboard as Mister Terrific.
(Left) Isabela Merced in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Rosaline,’ exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios.(Center) Nathan Fillion at the premiere of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.’ (Left) Edi Gathegi in ‘Aporia.’
More recently (as in, the last week or so), María Gabriela de Faría, who will play The Engineer. “Who?” we hear casual comic book fans asking… Angela Spica aka The Engineer. Part of the Warner/DC flick’s villain team, her powers stem from nanotechnology built into her body.
Created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, she’s the second DC character to bear the name of The Engineer and was first introduced in ‘The Authority vol.1 #1’ in 1999.
Hoult, of course, is known for movies such as ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and ‘Warm Bodies’ and has comic book form playing Beast in the most recent ‘X-Men‘ movies for 20th Century Fox.
He will become just the latest person to play Luthor (Superman’s most famous enemy) on the big screen following Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey and, most recently, Jesse Eisenberg.
When will ‘Superman: Legacy’ be in theaters?
Gunn recently confirmed that the new Superman film is on track to still hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
