A logo spotted at the Superman: Legacy table read has sparked speculation over whether James Gunn's upcoming movie is taking inspiration from DC Comics' Kingdom Come storyline.
As reported by The Direct, Isabela Merced, who plays Hawkgirl in the DCU movie, posted a now-deleted photo to her Instagram story showing her place card at the first table read for Superman: Legacy. The card featured her name, character, and our first look at a logo, which might be familiar to DC Comics fans.
Came from Isabela Merced's IG Story
— Culture Crave ? (@CultureCrave) February 22, 2024
h/t @DCU_Direct pic.twitter.com/BYUshj8QnF
X/Twitter user @CultureCrave shared the image on the social media platform, and it didn't take long for fans to point out the logo's resemblence to the crest from DC's Kingdom Come miniseries, written by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, which led to speculation over its potential influence on Superman: Legacy.
Some people thought it might be the crest from the new Superman suit, offering hints of its aesthetic and design. Others wondered whether Superman: Legacy might have a deeper connection to the Kingdom Come arc, with the idea of a "reversed" version of the comic book story proving a popular theory among fans.
The Kingdom Come logo… #SupermanLegacy pic.twitter.com/NAB88ZlOip
— PG (@painfulgamer1) February 22, 2024
Kingdom come logo from the comics. Needs to be dark like this pic.twitter.com/p31KDaccJk
— JazzyJeffRealTalk (@JazzyJeffRealT1) February 22, 2024
James Gunn’s #SupermanLegacy table read logo is the KINGDOM COME suit ? pic.twitter.com/PbDatdK0VF
— BLURAYANGEL ? (@blurayangel) February 22, 2024
I've said this whole time that I think it could be a somewhat reverse-Kingdom Come influenced story with a younger Superman.
— BobaTalks (@BobaTalks) February 22, 2024
It's beginning!! https://t.co/QBKBV8aau1
So, what do you guys think? #SupermanLegacy
— Tarshit ?️? (@tarshit_r) February 22, 2024
Is James Gunn really going to give us a Kingdom Come vibe? ?
I think so, as this logo was used in the Kingdom Come series, and he already tweeted about this earlier. pic.twitter.com/cykF3tYXLc
OKAY WHAT IF THIS MEANS THAT HE'S SLIGHTLY ADAPTING THE KINGDOM COME STORYLINE BUT INSTEAD OF CLARK EXITING RETIREMENT HES INSPIRED BY THESE HEROES TO ENTER INTO THE FORAY pic.twitter.com/aZ8nlwL7Oh
— Lucas ? (@wlwlucas) February 22, 2024
Are we getting Kingdom Come suit for Superman ? ? pic.twitter.com/djkItpSPaO
— ervin (@ervininjustice) February 22, 2024
The reverse Kingdom come theory is ? #SupermanLegacy
— Buddy (@BuddysBigScreen) February 22, 2024
I get why some people don't think it fits a fresh Superman which is totally fair, but I think James can absolutely do a really cool story this way.
Ps. if the suit looks anywhere near as good as this we win. pic.twitter.com/zdNMPsuOyL
Theyre gonna do a reverse Kingdom Come story, instead of an older Superman who lost his way and stays away from being a superhero.
— Skiz (@iSkizm) February 22, 2024
It's gonna be the rest of the superheroes who lose their way and go off the deep end, and a younger Superman steps up to provide hope and justice https://t.co/PIxoSiShx8
Bingo. Reverse Kingdom Come. https://t.co/YfUYIgttCT
— DCU Updates (@DCU_Updates) February 22, 2024
Kingdom Come is arguably not just one of the best DC Elseworlds stories but is also one of the best comics stories out there. The four-issue series is set several decades in the future, when a new generation of heroes with fantastical powers and loose morals have replaced the likes of Superman and Batman.
An aging Superman re-emerges assembles a new Justice League to lead the heroes back to greatness, but that merely sparks a civil war that spirals into an almost biblical showdown as the two eras clash. The turmoil between superheroes becomes as big a problem as handling some of the world's villains.
It isn't the first time Gunn has referenced Kingdom Come. He gave a nod and wink to the series in December 2022 when he posted an image of the artwork from the comic run, teasing that he was "making plans." The director didn't reveal any more than that, but it could indicate that he will borrow a few ideas from the material.
Gunn has, however, already confirmed that he is not making a "young Superman" movie, even though Superman: Legacy is said to be focusing on "an earlier part" of the character's life, with David Corenswet playing the man himself alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, with Nicholas Hoult tapped to play Lex Luthor.
Superman: Legacy is slated for release on July 11, 2025 and will serve as a reboot film and Chapter One of the new DCU, Gods and Monsters. It will be the first of five movies and five TV shows, with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, and The Authority also on the way.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.
