Director James Gunn reveals Superman: Legacy is now titled just Superman... while revealing the first look at the iconic crest

Director James Gunn is taking advantage of the extra day in February - Leap Day - to get production started on his new Superman film.

The 57-year-old filmmaker had originally entitled the film Superman: Legacy, though he has now revealed the title will simply be Superman.

He also shared the first image from the set, offering fans a look at the new Superman S crest that David Corenswet will wear on his new suit.

The director added that starting production on Thursday was fitting, since it was the Superman character's birthday on Leap Day as well.

'Overjoyed to be announcing the start of principal photography on SUPERMAN today, February 29, which just so happens to be – coincidentally and unplanned – Superman’s birthday,' Gunn began.

Director James Gunn is taking advantage of the extra day in February - Leap Day - to get production started on his new Superman film

The 57-year-old filmmaker had originally entitled the film Superman: Legacy, though he has now revealed the title will simply be Superman

'When I finished the first draft of the script, I called the film Superman: Legacy,' Gunn explained. 

'By the time I locked the final draft, it was clear the title was SUPERMAN. Making our way to you July 2025,' he added.

Superman's Leap Day birthday - which only happens every four years - was first revealed in World's Finest Comics #164 from 1966.

The release date of July 11, 2025 was set back in January 2023, when Gunn unveiled his new plan for the DC Universe, with his Superman film set to kick things off.

The studio also announced films such as The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing.

It also announced the upcoming TV shows Creature Commandos, Waller, Lanterns, Paradise Lost and Booster Gold.

As for the new Superman film, many fans were upset that they didn't carry over Henry Cavill, who played Superman under the last DC regime known as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).  

Gunn explained that this version of Superman will be younger, thus the reason for the re-casting.

Corenswet will be joined by Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner/Green Lantern), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Maria Gabriela de Falia (The Engineer), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olson), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) and Terrence Rosemmore (Otis).

Corenswet will be joined by Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner/Green Lantern), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Maria Gabriela de Falia (The Engineer), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olson), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) and Terrence Rosemmore (Otis)

Gunn explained that this version of Superman will be younger, thus the reason for the re-casting

The Superman character is one of the most enduring in all of comic books, first created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in Action Comics #1 back in April 1938.

There have been several incarnations of the Man of Steel on the big screen including Kirk Alyn in 1948, the first to don the cape on the silver screen.

Christopher Reeve took the character beyond the comic books and into the mainstream with his 1978 Superman film that spawned three sequels.

Most recently, Henry Cavill played Superman in 2013's Man of Steel, 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2017's Justice League and cameos in Black Adam and The Flash.