- Superman: Legacy will kick-start the new DC Universe continuity on the big screen in 2025.
- The DCEU skipped much of Batman's backstory, causing some confusion. The truncated version of Bruce Wayne's backstory left important character changes unexplored.
- While Superman's backstory is not as important as Batman's on-screen, certain elements, like his adoptive parents' positive influence, may provide important context for the Clark seen in Superman: Legacy.
Plot details for Clark's next big-screen adventure are still being held under wraps, but we do know that Superman: Legacy won't re-tell Superman's origin story. Per Gunn, who is writing and directing the movie, "I think we've seen his origin enough in film at this time!" While the DCEU does show Bruce Wayne's parents getting shot, it does skip his backstory of becoming the version of Batman seen on screen. While it was likely smart to streamline the introduction of a familiar character like Bruce, it also introduced a few problems that Superman: Legacy will want to avoid.
Your browser does not support the video tag. The DCEU Skipped Much Of Batman's Backstory, But It Caused Some Confusion
Batman has starred in enough beloved movies and TV shows that viewers can be reasonably expected to know who he is, why he does what he does, and how he operates as The Dark Knight. Because of this, and because Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne was introduced in a team-up movie instead of his own solo project, the DCEU presented a truncated version of Bruce's backstory. However, since Affleck is shown as a Batman late in his career, most of his work is left up to the imagination. For the most part, this isn't a problem. However, it also meant that certain DCEU character changes were never fully explored.Notably, the Batman presented in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is overly violent and jaded, a far cry from the intense but compassionate Bruce normally seen in DC media. Hints are dropped as to why this may be, such as the costume of a dead Robin in the Batcave, but by skimming over important elements of backstory, some of Bruce's characterization comes off as unwarranted, unearned, and unexplained. If Superman: Legacy wants to avoid similar characterization confusion, it must be more careful with what parts of Clark's backstory it chooses to leave out.
Superman: Legacy's Lack Of Backstory Walks A Fine Line
Though his backstory may not quite be as ubiquitous in pop culture as Batman's, the big beats behind who Superman is are similarly known. Enough movies and TV shows have shown or mentioned the destruction of Krypton and why Clark is on Earth that Gunn is correct about it not being necessary to show again. However, given that Man of Steel is the most recent big-screen project to cover Kal-El's youth and that the movie takes big liberties with important plot beats, some might be risky to skip. Most notably, Man of Steel presented a controversial Jonathan Kent, one who was less optimistic and inspiring and more paranoid and unsure.
