In an exciting development for DC fans, Krypto the Superdog will make his first live-action appearance in James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman: Legacy, set to release on July 11, 2025. The inspiration behind Krypto’s inclusion in the film comes from a deeply personal source—Gunn’s own dog, Ozu.
Ozu: The Inspiration Behind Krypto
In a heartfelt social media post, Gunn shared how Ozu, a rescue dog, influenced his decision to add Krypto to the Superman storyline. “Krypto was inspired by our dog Ozu, who we adopted shortly after I started writing Superman,” Gunn revealed. He described Ozu’s troubled past, having been rescued from a hoarding situation with 60 other dogs, making him difficult to manage initially. “He immediately came in and destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture — he even ate my laptop,” Gunn shared.
This chaotic experience made Gunn reflect on how challenging life would be if Ozu had superpowers. That thought led to Krypto’s role in the upcoming film. Gunn also added, “What better time to debut the not-so-good-good-boy Krypto than #AdoptAShelterDog month,” and happily reported that Ozu is now “fairly often, a very good boy.”
First Look at Krypto in Superman: Legacy
A sneak peek of the upcoming film features a motion image of David Corenswet’s Superman sitting on the moon with Krypto, gazing out at Earth. This marks a major milestone for Krypto, who first appeared in Adventure Comics #210 in 1955 and has been featured in various animated series and films, but never in a live-action movie—until now.
Krypto’s Journey in Comics and Animation
Krypto the Superdog debuted in 1955 and gained popularity through various animated adaptations. Most notably, the character headlined Krypto the Superdog, an animated series aired on Cartoon Network and The CW’s Kids’ WB block from 2005 to 2007. In the series, Krypto was Superman’s pet on Krypton before being sent to Earth, where he grew up to possess powers similar to the Man of Steel. The dog takes on the alter ego “Superdog” to fight evil while living undercover as an ordinary Labrador retriever with a young boy named Kevin.
Plot and Cast of Superman: Legacy
James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy follows Superman as he grapples with his dual identity—balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. The film portrays him as the embodiment of “truth, justice, and the American way,” navigating a world that often views kindness as old-fashioned.
The movie stars David Corenswet as Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer. The ensemble cast also includes Skyler Gisondo, Sean Gunn, Nathan Fillion, Isabel Merced, and more.
Celebrating Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
The inclusion of Krypto comes at a fitting time, as October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Gunn’s personal story of adopting Ozu adds a meaningful layer to Krypto’s on-screen debut, reminding audiences of the importance of animal rescue and adoption.
Fans can look forward to seeing Krypto in action when Superman: Legacy hits theaters in 2025, marking another exciting chapter in DC’s cinematic universe.
