Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell are playing the Kents in ‘Superman’.
James Gunn is directing the new movie.
‘Superman’ will be out on July 11th, 2025.
The cameras have been cranking for a while on James Gunn’s new ‘Superman’ movie, the reboot he’s looking to have kick off –– on the big screen, at least –– his and DC Studios’ co-CEO Peter Safran’s vision for the DC universe going forward.
And though Gunn has previously said that he won’t necessarily be diving back into all the iconic origin narrative points of Clark Kent/Superman’s story, it does appear there is room for both of his parents to appear.
The Wrap reports that Pruitt Taylor Vince has been cast as Jonathan Kent, the farmer who, with wife Martha, discovers an infant Kal El in a crashed spaceship and adopts him as their own, raising Clark to be a good man who channels his parents’ morals when he discovers his powers.
In a separate story, the outlet has revealed that Neva Howell will play Martha. Jonathan in particular tends to be a tragic figure, the character dying when Clark is a young man. Whether that holds true here (or if he’s only seen in flashback) remains to be seen.
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What’s the story of ‘Superman’?
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
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 story (though that and now clearly his time in Smallville will factor in) 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.
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.”
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.
(Left) Wendell Pierce at the ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ Season 1 World Premiere Event. Credit: Jordan Strauss. Copyright: Amazon Studios. (Right) Perry White. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Wendell Pierce has joined ‘Superman’.
He’ll play Perry White for writer/director James Gunn.
The movie has started shooting.
The cameras are now rolling on James Gunn’s next superhero outing, his first as boss of the DC Comics-based movie universe alongside Peter Safran.
David Corenswet is playing the title character (as well as his alter ego, reporter Clark Kent), with Rachel Brosnahan as colleague and love interest Lois Lane.
Now we know who will be playing their boss, Daily Planet editor Perry White –– ‘The Wire’ and ‘Jack Ryan’s Wendell Pierce has won the role.
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What’s the story of ‘Superman’?
New ‘Superman’ logo. Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
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 will already be an established reporting star.
Perry White: History
(Left) Perry White. Photo: DC Comics.
White first appeared as a character in the 1940s radio serials based on Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel’s comics and has been a fixture in Superman-related stories ever since.
We can also 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.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
Preview:
James Gunn has announced that ‘Superman: Legacy’ is now just ‘Superman’.
Film has commenced in Atlanta.
David Corenswet plays the title character.
February 29th, in case you weren’t aware of this particular nugget of comic book trivia, happens to be Superman’s birthday, at least in DC canon (partly picked to explain why he doesn’t seem to age as quickly as other characters).
It’s also the day that James Gunn kicked off production on his new movie about the character. And the writer/director used to occasion to announce that, somewhere between his first and final draft of the script, the title has changed from ‘Superman: Legacy’ to simply… ‘Superman’.
Gunn hit Instagram to announce both the start of the shoot and the new, simple title:
And, per the post’s illustration, the filmmaker also gave us a sneak peek at the insignia to be worn on the chest of his Superman, framed by frosty particles we can assume come from Supes’ famous Fortress of Solitude.
What’s the story of ‘Superman’?
New ‘Superman’ logo. Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
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 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.”
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.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Frank Grillo about his work on ‘Lights Out,’ his first reaction to the screenplay, why Duffy was a perfect character for him to play, Duffy’s friendship with Max, working with Mekhi Phifer, and shooting the fight sequences.
(L to R) Mekhi Phifer as “Max Bomer” and Frank Grillo as “Michael ‘Duffy’ Duffield” in the action/thriller, ‘Lights Out,’ a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
The actor also talked about his work on DC Studio’s upcoming animated series ‘Creature Commandos,’ if he’s finished recording and who he recorded with, when it will be released, when we might see him reprise his character in future DCU live-action projects, and a conformation that he will definitely not be in ‘Superman: Legacy.’
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Jamie King and director Christian Sesma.
(L to R) Scott Adkins as “Don ‘The Reaper’ Richter,” Frank Grillo as “Michael ‘Duffy’ Duffield” and Mekhi Phifer as “Max Bomer” in the action/thriller, ‘Lights Out,’ a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay, and did you realize admittedly that Duffy was a perfect Frank Grillo character?
Frank Grillo: The screenplay was a solid C+ when I first read it. It was okay, but it was a home run for me. I knew I could knock this one out of the park, so I was not concerned with that. I wanted to get the script to a place where it made sense, and it worked. Look, my buddy Stallone did a movie called ‘Rambo,’ and it’s that guy that I love. It’s that exact kind of character. I’m not comparing myself to the great Sylvester Stallone, but it’s that world.
MF: To follow up, what were some of the changes you wanted made to the script so that this it would work for you?
FG: There was some structural stuff. I can’t get into all of it, but I needed the script to flow a little differently. Then there were some tropes and cliches that needed to come out and kind of make it where people talk less and do more, which I find makes action movies a little bit more interesting. Then to build a relationship with Mekhi’s character and my character, because I thought that was the heart and the core of the film. So, stuff like that, but you got all those great actors. I knew everybody was capable.
(L to R) Frank Grillo as “Michael ‘Duffy’ Duffield” and Mekhi Phifer as “Max Bomer” in the action/thriller, ‘Lights Out,’ a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
MF: Can you talk about that relationship between Max and Duffy, why Duffy chooses to help this man that he hardly knows, and what it was like working with Mekhi Phifer?
FG: I think he chooses to help him because I truly think there’s something about Mekhi that draws him in. I think Duffy needs a purpose. He wants to get a headstone for his mother. That’s kind of a reason for him to make believe he wants to go to a certain place, but he finds somebody who gives him a purpose. We never feel more enlightened than when we’re helping somebody else. I think it gives him a sense of that. Mekhi is, as charming as he is on-screen, he’s 10 times as charming in person, and we’re both New Yorkers. I fell in love with Mekhi the minute I met him, I mean immediately. It was a 30-year relationship in 12 minutes. So, I knew on screen, much like I did with Anthony Mackie when we did ‘Point Blank’ together, it would be this cool combination. I love movies where there’s a black guy and a white guy. I just love it culturally when they mix it up. I’m Italian and we’re both from New York, and I think it comes across really cool on screen. I love that dynamic. I really do. I know everybody’s politically correct, but Mekhi and I even got a chance to kind of play with that thing, you know what I mean? That’s what life is about. Then after that, we did another movie together. I had another movie that I put together, a bigger movie, and he was my choice. He was my guy. I said, “Please come and do this,” and he did. We went to Columbia and Puerto Rico together and that’s the kind of relationship that it blossomed into.
MF: Can you talk about preparing and working out the choreography for the fight sequences?
FG: I mean, at this point I didn’t know the fight coordinator well, although he was good. My stunt coordinator, my double, comes with me on every movie, Greg Fitzpatrick, who’s done stuff with Robert Downey Jr. He’s been with Downey for a long time, and all of Ben Stiller‘s stuff. He’s so amazing. I know we didn’t have a lot of time, so we came in and choreographed at least all my stuff, all the fights, to make them authentic. This is about underground fighting. It shouldn’t look like ‘John Wick.’ Hats off to Brandon Burrows, the producer, because once I saw the original cut and the fights, I said, no Bueno. This all looks fake, and you got to make this so that the one judicious guy in the back who knows fighting says,” I believe that.” I think that’s what we kind of were able to pull off. It was Herculean to get it to the place that it is, but when I saw the final cut, I’m like, “Wow, I’m impressed.” If people knew the effort that it took to get it to that, you’d have to appreciate it a bunch more, and Brandon, the producer, was a big part of this.
DC Studios’ ‘Creature Commandos.’ Photo: DC and Warner Bros.
MF: The last time we spoke you revealed that you will be starring in the animated series ‘Creature Commandos,’ which will be the first TV series from James Gunn’s new DC Universe. Have you finished recording for the first season, and were you able to record with the other actors?
FG: Yes. I recorded with (David) Harbour and I may have recorded with Maria (Bakalova). But it’s great. I love James Gunn and Peter Safran and what they’re doing at DC and for the DCU, and these characters are living in all their movies. I’m going to be around for a while, and I wish I could tell you what I have coming up with them, but I can’t. But it’s exciting. I was just with the RussoBrothers, Kevin Feige and Lou D’Esposito and it’s kind of like, “I miss those guys, but you blew it.” Now we’re going over here.
MF: Do you know when the series will premiere?
FG: Yes. I believe Sean Gunn just said something (about it). I believe around end of the summer, beginning of the fall.
Writer, director, co-chairmen and co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn. Photo courtesy of James Gunn’s Twitter account.
FG: Yes, I do. Again, in a world filled with great talent, actors and famous movie stars, I mean what James Gunn and Peter Safran has entrusted in me with this character and with the future of what they’re doing in that company, I’m humbled.
MF: Finally, is it possible we’ll see you in ‘Superman: Legacy’?
FG: No. I wish.
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What is the Plot of ‘Lights Out’?
A drifting ex-soldier (Frank Grillo) turns underground fighter with the help of a just released ex-con (Mekhi Phifer), pitting them both against corrupt cops (Jamie King) and hired killers (Dermot Mulroney) gunning for them and all those they care about.
(L to R) Mekhi Phifer as “Max Bomer” and Frank Grillo as “Michael ‘Duffy’ Duffield” in the action/thriller, ‘Lights Out,’ a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
(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.
Preview:
Milly Alcock has won the role of Supergirl the DCU.
She will first appear in James Gunn’s ‘Superman: Legacy’.
The character will also lead ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’.
James Gunn has found the person he wants to play Kara Zor-El –– AKA Supergirl, the superpowered young woman who is Superman’s cousin –– in ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’.
Milly Alcock, best known for playing the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s first season of ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff ‘House of the Dragon’, has landed the much-sought-after role in the DC Universe being overseen by Gunn and his fellow DCU boss/producer Peter Safran.
While such casting announcements –– this one came via The Wrap –– usually sit in the rumor sphere before the studio comments, Gunn has taken to Instagram to confirm Alcock’s presence in the DCU.
‘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 else was in the running for Supergirl?
Emilia Jones in ‘CODA’
Alcock got the role after an audition and a screen test, and the other two main contenders were Emilia Jones (who starred in Oscar winner ‘CODA’ and appeared in last year’s ‘Cat People’), and Meg Donnelly, known for the Disney ‘Zombies’ movies.
Donnelly also had some experience with Supergirl, as she has voiced the role in several animated DC outings.
Milly Alcock in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photo: Ollie Upton / HBO.
‘Superman: Legacy’ has a release date scheduled for July 11th, 2025. Given that it has yet to find a director, the Supergirl movie has yet to lock in a date.
(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.
Seann Gunn will work again with filmmaker brother James Gunn.
He’ll play Maxwell Lord across several DC Studios projects.
The plan is reportedly to introduce him in the background of ‘Superman: Legacy’
We all know James Gunn likes working with friends and family he finds have talent. And among them, his brother Sean has turned out to be among the best.
He has played a variety of roles across the writer/director’s work but might be best known as both Kraglin and providing all the performance capture/initial acting as Rocket Raccoon on the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ trilogy.
But going forward, it appears he’ll be more known as human villain Maxwell Lord.
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Who is Maxwell Lord?
DC Comics’ Maxwell Lord. Photo: DC Comics.
The character’s origins in the DC comic book universe date back to issue #1 of the 1987 ‘Justice League’ comic book series, created by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire. At first glance, he’s a cunning businessman and an ally to the members of the Justice League, who was fundamental in orchestrating Justice League International. His unsuspecting charm even won over characters such as Blue Beetle and the Martian Manhunter.
But then, in ‘Justice League International’, issue #12, we learn that Lord had been doing the bidding of an evil computer in an attempt to replace all world leaders with robots. Though he did end up destroying the computer and breaking free from its influence, it wasn’t long before Lord became a powerful foe of his own accord: after gaining a metahuman ability in 1988’s
‘Invasion!’ limited series, Lord began to unleash his mind-control powers against humanity.
Pedro Pascal played the character in 2020’s ‘Wonder Woman 1984’, a businessman who discovers a powerful relic that can grant wishes and uses it to snatch power and influence for himself.
Pedro Pascal as Maxwell “Max Lord” Lorenzano in ‘Wonder Woman 1984.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
James Gunn has yet to officially confirm the news, though it’s a fair bet that he’ll keep on working with his brother. Deadline has heard that Sean Gunn’s Lord will be referenced in the background of ‘Superman: Legacy’ (which his brother is about to start directing, with David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Supes and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane).
He’ll have more of a role to play in future movies and, potentially, TV series.
(Left) David Corenswet in Netflix’s ‘The Politician.’ (Right) Rachel Brosnahan on Prime Video’s ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’
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 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.”
When will ‘Superman: Legacy’ be in theaters?
According to James Gunn, the film remains on track to start shooting next year with a planned release of July 11th, 2025.
(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.
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.
SAG-AFTRA members walk the line in Northhampton on 9/21. Photo courtesy of SAG.
Preview
The latest talks between the striking actors’ union and the studio representatives have ended without much progress.
The actors are seeking a similar new deal to what the writers recently secured, albeit with their own extra points.
Studio representative body the AMPTP claims that the gap between the parties is “too great” right now.
Just when it looked like there was hope for an end to the actors’ strike following the resolution of the writers’ industrial action (the new contract for writers was officially ratified by 99% of the WGA membership on Monday), some cold water was thrown by news yesterday that performers’ union SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that represents studios were “too far apart” on talks for their own deal.
The actors have now been officially on strike since July 14th, essentially bringing Hollywood production in the States and elsewhere in the world to a standstill with the impact felt in shut down movies, delayed release dates and a shaken-up TV schedule, networks filling fall slots with reality shows and series that had already been in production.
And, as has been the case throughout the strike, the two sides are waging a war of words to present their side of negotiations.
SAG-AFTRA members Nia Vardalos and Octavia Spencer walk the line at Disney Studios in Burbank, CA on 9/20. Photo courtesy of SAG.
Here’s what SAG-AFTRA’s leadership told members in its latest release:
“We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began. These companies refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue YOUR work generates for them. The companies are using the same failed strategy they tried to inflict on the WGA –– putting out misleading information in an attempt to fool our members into abandoning our solidarity and putting pressure on our negotiators. But, just like the writers, our members are smarter than that and will not be fooled.”
The actors’ union has been pushing for various new deal points, including protection against the use of AI to replace some performers and an 11% increase in minimum payments (by comparison, both the Directors Guild and the writers secured 5).
AMPTP put out its own statement on the talks
WGA + SAG-AFTRA members walk the line at Paramount on Sept. 20. Photo courtesy of SAG-AFTRA.
The alliance offered its usual publicity blast to explain its side of the matter:
“SAG-AFTRA’s current offer included what it characterized as a viewership bonus that, by itself, would cost more than $800 million per year – which would create an untenable economic burden. SAG-AFTRA presented few, if any, moves on the numerous remaining open items. After meaningful conversations, it is clear that the gap between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA is too great, and conversations are no longer moving us in a productive direction.”
We would expect this back-and-forth to continue for some time, with little forward movement (and it feels like the studios are once more the main sticking point). So, if you were hoping that your favorite show or that movie you were anticipating would be back on the schedule soon, we’d say patience is a virtue.
When ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ arrives in December, it’ll make the official demarcation point between what was known by fans as the DC Extended Universe (or the “Snyderverse” given Zack Snyder’s extensive involvement in launching it with ‘Man of Steel’ and other movies) and the DC Studios era currently being shepherded by filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran, who are sharing the duties of running the Warner Bros. arm.
And fans are naturally interested to know whether there will be much crossover between actors from the previous movie universe and the Gunn/Safran era, which has often sounded like a reboot, bringing in lots of new elements.
So, who will be sticking around? Given that at least two of them were part of shows that Gunn has previously said will be part of his plans, they are not a surprise, but he’s now gone on the record again.
James Gunn in ‘Superpowered: The DC Story.’ Photograph by Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros.
According to Gunn’s latest comments, both Viola Davis (who plays ambitious Suicide Squad wrangler Amanda Waller) and gung-ho vigilante Peacemaker himself, John Cena, will both be sticking around.
“Nothing is cannon until ‘Creature Commandos’ next year –– a sort of aperitif to the DCU –– & then a deeper dive into the universe with ‘Superman: Legacy’ after that. It’s a very human drive to want to understand everything all the time, but I think it’s okay to be confused on what’s happening in the DCU since no one has seen anything from the DCU yet. And, yes, some actors will be playing characters they’ve played in other stories & some plot points might be consistent with plot points from dozens of films, shows & animated projects that have come from DC in the past. But nothing is canon until ‘CC’ and ‘Legacy’.”
‘Creature Commandos’ will feature a voice cast that includes Davis as Waller, and a ‘Peacemaker’ spin-off featuring the character has been announced. Cena, meanwhile, will be back for the planned second season of ‘Peacemaker’ (even if it’ll likely have to wait until ‘Waller’ and ‘Legacy’ are complete).
Gunn has previously said that Xolo Maridueña, who starred as Jaime Reyes, the main character in this year’s ‘Blue Beetle’ will be staying around, despite the movie’s relatively low $125 million worldwide gross (from an estimated budget of $104 million before marketing costs). He hasn’t specified since then, and there is no ‘Blue Beetle’ sequel on the books, but Maridueña could well show up in other projects.
‘Creature Commandos’ will be on Max next year, while ‘Superman: Legacy’ is scheduled for release on July 11th, 2025. With the WGA strike now over, the writer/director can get back to work on the script, while hopes are high that the actors will be available once SAG-AFTRA’s own industrial action is complete, and performers have a decent new deal from the studios.
