Superman: James Gunn Admits DCU Movies Might Change If This Fails

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Summary

  • The Superman trailer is releasing soon, kicking off the DCU movie campaign.
  • Gunn feels pressure for Superman to be a box office hit.
  • The success of Superman will impact the plans of the DCU.

As a long-time DC fan, I’ve seen my share of ups and downs in the universe’s cinematic journey. The upcoming Superman trailer is like a beacon of hope, signaling the start of James Gunn‘s ambitious DCU campaign. With the weight of expectations on his shoulders, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the guy – he’s got “miserable” written all over him, working on Superman!

In just under a day, we’ll see the trailer for the highly anticipated film “Superman.” This marks the beginning of a 7-month promotional blitz for the DC Universe movie. James Gunn confessed that he feels considerable pressure and explained why the success of “Superman” is crucial for the future of the DC Universe.

The upcoming film featuring Superman marks the second project within the DC Universe, but as James Gunn puts it, it serves as the genuine commencement of the DC Universe. Following a series of financial disappointments at the box office, Warner Bros. is eagerly anticipating Gunn’s initial DCU movie to be a resounding success, and fans share this optimism. Understanding the weight of these expectations, Gunn acknowledges the pressure and recognizes that the DC Universe’s future plans hinge on Superman’s performance in the film.

What happens to Gunn’s DCU if the Superman movie fails?

During filming of Superman in June, various media outlets were given access to the set and spoke with Gunn about the DC Universe’s highly anticipated debut movie (reported by Gizmodo). While on set, Gunn confessed that he found it difficult working on Superman, but expressed hope that it was all for a higher purpose. When Gunn unveiled his initial DC schedule, it included projects like Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Paradise Lost, and Swamp Thing. However, Gunn seemed to suggest that there’s no certainty those projects will come to fruition, as his plans might alter if Superman doesn’t succeed.

“A lot [is riding on Superman ]. I mean, we’re not going to just keep making movies.”

It’s no shock to DC enthusiasts that there’s a lot riding on Gunn for Superman to thrive. The DC Extended Universe kicked off with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, which garnered positive feedback from some but mixed-to-mediocre reviews from others. After this, there was a lengthy and intricate saga of backstage drama as Warner Bros. abandoned Snyder’s multi-film narrative and reworked strategies for the DC franchise. Unfortunately, these revised plans didn’t yield success for the studio, with subsequent DC films varying from box office triumphs to flops, with little connection between each project. The merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery eventually led to David Zaslav, the company president and CEO, reorganizing DC Entertainment. This ultimately resulted in Gunn and Peter Safran being named co-CEOs of the newly formed DC Studios. Now, Gunn is charged with constructing a revitalized DC Universe with a consistent continuity across film, television, and video games.

Warner Bros. has confidence in Gunn’s creative approach, hoping it will translate to box office success. Yet, winning over DC fans might prove challenging due to divided loyalties. Some fans remain devoted to the “SnyderVerse” and may refuse to support Gunn’s DC Universe, while others have been eager for a new direction for quite some time. Among the Snyder supporters are those who criticized Gunn for incorporating John Williams’ Superman theme in the movie poster. However, other fans anticipate signs that Gunn will steer Superman towards a more optimistic and hopeful future.

Essentially, fans have different types of high expectations for the upcoming Superman movie. If ticket sales are low when it premieres, James Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios might be challenged, and Warner Bros. may need to rethink their strategies. The reception of the initial Superman trailer will play a crucial role in whether fans are excitedly anticipating the film or if Warner Bros. has a tough task ahead to win their favor.

Superman is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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2024-12-18 23:03