James Gunn, the co-head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, is steering the new Superman movie that will initiate a fresh DC Universe. Despite the high stakes tied to this launch, Gunn rejects the idea that the film must be a huge box office success to validate its place. In an interview with GQ magazine, Gunn emphasized that the project is
“not the riskiest endeavor in the world”
and mocked the circulating notion that the film has to reach $700 million to be considered successful.
He further clarified,
“Is there something riding on it? Yeah, but it’s not as big as people make it out to be,”
and added,
“They hear these numbers that the movie’s only going to be successful if it makes $700 million or something and it’s just complete and utter nonsense. It doesn’t need to be as big of a situation as people are saying.”
Gunn’s remarks aim to temper the extreme expectations surrounding the movie’s financial performance.
Context of the New DC Universe Launch and Industry Challenges
The Superman movie is the cornerstone of a rebooted DC Universe, which also includes the already filmed Supergirl feature and plans to reimagine iconic heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. While this fresh slate hopes to revitalize DC’s cinematic world, the film premieres amid a challenging environment for comic book movies. The industry has seen several recent disappointments, such as Warner Bros.’ 2023 releases Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash, both underperforming at the box office.
Marvel Studios has also experienced setbacks in 2025, with Captain America: Brave New World failing to meet expectations and even the critically praised Thunderbolts losing money domestically. These trends contribute to uncertainty about the commercial viability of superhero films, making Superman’s performance a major focus for studios and fans alike.
James Gunn’s Views on Superhero Fatigue and Storytelling in Comics
Gunn has openly discussed what many label “superhero fatigue,” but he believes the problem lies not in the genre itself but in the storytelling quality. During a 2023 conversation with Rolling Stone, he noted,
“I think there is such a thing as superhero fatigue. I think it doesn’t have anything to do with superheroes. It has to do with the kind of stories that get to be told, and if you lose your eye on the ball, which is character,”
he said.
“We love Superman. We love Batman. We love Iron Man. Because they’re these incredible characters that we have in our hearts. And if it becomes just a bunch of nonsense onscreen, it gets really boring.”
On the Inside of You podcast, he elaborated,
“People have gotten really lazy with their superhero stories. And they have gotten to the place where, ‘Oh, it’s a superhero, let’s make a movie about it.’ And then, ‘Oh, let’s make a sequel, because the first one did pretty well,’ and they aren’t thinking about, ‘Why is this story special? What makes this story stand apart from other stories? What is the story at the heart of it all? Why is this character important? What makes this story different that it fills a need for people in theaters to go see?’”
Anticipation for Superman’s Release and Its Implications
The Superman film, backed by Warner Bros. and DC Studios, is scheduled to premiere on July 11. As it ushers in an entire new DC Universe, the movie’s reception will likely influence the future direction of upcoming projects with Batman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl. Gunn’s insistence that the film need not be a blockbuster may signal a strategic shift in how success is measured, focusing more on story quality and character resonance than solely box office milestones.
Industry observers and fans will be watching closely to see if this new direction can overcome recent setbacks and restore confidence in superhero blockbusters, especially in a market increasingly resistant to conventional comic book sequels.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer still holds great importance for him. However, he also describes himself as “in some ways, against religion.”
Q. Why did James Gunn leave the MCU?
A. Alan Horn, the Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, announced that the comments found on James’ Twitter are unacceptable and don’t align with the studio’s beliefs. Therefore, they have ended their professional relationship with him.
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving MCU?
A. When Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he could no longer work on projects at Marvel Studios. It’s well-known that he built strong connections with the actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which he wrote and directed.
