Timeline of Clark Kent as Superman revealed in the new James Gunn film

Writer-director James Gunn has revealed an important detail about his upcoming Superman film for the DC Universe. Gunn’s film will take place at a time when Clark Kent has already been Superman in the public eye for three years. The update comes from Gunn’s recent appearance in an interview with Fandango, where he was joined by his film’s stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult.

In the interview, Gunn said:

"We're introducing a whole new world. We're in an alternate reality where superheroes have existed for 300 years and we're just picking up on the story of one particular superhero three years after he comes on the scene, who happens to be the most powerful metahuman of all time."

Here's how the timeline for James Gunn's Superman differs from the previous adaptations

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The new James Gunn directorial will introduce Corenswet as the new Son of Krypton, replacing Henry Cavill, who previously appeared in the DCEU films directed by Zack Snyder. Cavill’s first Superman film, Man of Steel (2013), followed Kal-El’s origins on the planet Krypton, which is destroyed, leading him to Earth as a baby. He lands in Kansas and is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Jonathan tells Clark to hide his superhuman powers from the world, ultimately preventing Clark from saving him as a tornado hits their farm. The film then shifts to its primary storyline as journalist Lois Lane investigates the grief-stricken Kryptonian hero. However, based on Gunn’s recent comments, the timeline will be different in his latest adaptation.

"In this version of the DCU, everyone knows he is an alien. He shoots beams out of his eyes. He can blow things down with his breath. He's sort of this terrifying creature," Gunn said.

According to these comments, Superman in Gunn’s film will be quite different from Snyder’s iteration or earlier adaptations, where the story revolved around people (including Lois Lane) slowly discovering that Clark is the caped savior. This change will significantly affect how Lois and Clark come to know and fall for each other.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent's relationship will develop differently in James Gunn's film

James Gunn's film will likely not show Superman saving Lois at the right moment and winning her heart. Instead, their relationship will be more complicated.

In the trailer, Lois is seen interviewing Clark from a different perspective — as a journalist questioning his recent actions. The script is expected to explore the ethics of heroism more deeply. During the interview with Fandango, Gunn, Brosnahan, and Corenswet discussed these ethical dilemmas and the moral ambiguities present in the film.

Brosnahan noted how Lois has evolved throughout comic history based on shifts in the media landscape. She aimed to capture the essence of earlier portrayals while ensuring the character feels modern, even in the film’s elevated reality.

"She's hungry, she's courageous and determined. She will do just about anything to get a great story," Brosnahan said about Lois.

Gunn added that the ethics of journalism — and being a hero — are key elements of the film:

"The idea that they're journalists is a real part of the story. It's part of what they conflict over at the beginning of the film in terms of how they see the ethics of journalism."

Corenswet also discussed how his version of Superman comes into conflict with Lois, portraying him as a more flawed, human character rather than a perfect hero.

"I think he really loves being a Superman. He loves that he has this ability to come in and be the protector and be a symbol of good and hope, but secretly, what he loves about Lois Lane is she is his match. She isn't taken by the ideal [aspects] of Superman. [Instead], she asks the hard questions. So, it's actually very frustrating for him because he wants to be a pure symbol of good and Lois keeps finding these ways that he is screwed up a little bit. Was he really well-intentioned there? Did he really think through the consequences there?"

Corenswet reveals how Lois Lane forces his version of Superman to confront the true nature of his actions — which is precisely what draws him to her. We’ll see how their story unfolds when the film hits theaters on July 11, 2025.