Director James Gunn was met with a standing ovation from thousands of fans during the third day of San Diego Comic-Con, celebrating his work on the recently released Superman film. The event, held at the iconic entertainment convention in July 2025, marked Gunn’s first public appearance since Superman amassed over $200 million at the North American box office. This tribute took place during a panel for the upcoming Season 2 of HBO’s The Peacemaker, a show spun off from Gunn’s 2021 film The Suicide Squad.
The session featured John Cena, reprising his role as the Peacemaker in full comic-book attire and theatrical flair, who energized attendees with a blend of humor and his characteristic wrestling-style drama. Fans were treated to exclusive scenes from the new season, set for release in August 2025, which promises fresh dimensions for the Peacemaker character and appearances by figures from Gunn’s Superman universe.
Today has been the most fun day I’ve had in a year,
Gunn said to the enthusiastic crowd at the event’s conclusion.
Highlights from Comic-Con’s Hall H: “Project Hail Mary” and Animated Classic Revival
Following the tribute to Gunn, Hall H hosted a preview of the much-anticipated science-fiction comedy Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and starring Ryan Gosling. Attendees viewed scenes depicting Gosling’s character forming an interstellar alliance with Rocky, a unique alien made of stone-like material, set against a backdrop of a universe-threatening ecological crisis. The film is slated for a March 2026 release.
Earlier that morning, fans enjoyed a spirited presentation for Coyote vs. Acme, a hybrid live-action and animated film resurrecting the classic Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote. The panel detailed the movie‘s unexpected journey from near cancellation to a confirmed theatrical release in August 2026. The film adapts a 1990 New Yorker article satirizing a fictional lawsuit filed by Coyote against the Acme Corporation, blamed for the repeated mishaps of Acme’s dangerous products.
The audience of around 6,000 watched a montage of Coyote’s mishaps set to Johnny Cash’s haunting cover of Hurt. The screening included six minutes of footage showing courtroom chaos caused by Will Forte’s character, the Coyote’s overzealous attorney, who accidentally ignites courtroom robes with a rocket skate. John Cena appears as a slick lawyer for Acme, deftly influencing the jury, which features an animated character among its members.
This is purely an Acme decision … and I am saying this for legal purposes,
quipped panel moderator Paul Scheer at the event’s outset.
Forte reflected on the film’s turbulent path to release, sharing,
I’m pretty speechless. You think back to the journey that this movie has taken. I had kind of given up hope at a certain point,
moments before an actor portraying an Acme lawyer theatrically interrupted the panel, brandishing cease-and-desist notices.
Directed by Dave Green, the movie stays true to rules established by legendary animator Chuck Jones, including that the Roadrunner always stays on the road and Coyote’s injuries remain humorous rather than harmful. Numerous iconic Looney Tunes characters such as Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety, and Bugs Bunny are set to appear alongside Coyote. The film is a collaboration between Ketchup Entertainment and Warner Bros., which also released The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.
“Bad Guys 2” Cast Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The Bad Guys 2 cast also joined Comic-Con festivities, teasing new footage and discussing their character performances. Comedian Marc Maron, who voices Snake, joked about his method acting approach, saying,
The depth of the character should read a little more this time,
describing how he requested to be tied up while recording lines to enhance his portrayal.
Based on Aaron Blabey’s graphic novels, the sequel introduces a new group of animal criminals known as the Bad Girls, played by Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova, promising fresh energy and dynamics in the film’s storyline.
Paramount Reveals New Developments for the Star Trek Franchise
Paramount offered fans an initial glimpse of Starfleet Academy, its upcoming addition to the enduring Star Trek universe, starring Holly Hunter as the academy’s chancellor and Paul Giamatti in a significant role. This new series, centered on cadets undergoing rigorous training, is scheduled for release in 2026, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the original Star Trek television series.
Updates were also provided on Paramount+’s popular Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. A unique episode in Season 3 will feature the USS Enterprise crew transformed into puppets, crafted by the renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Continuing the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike and his team, the new season is set to premiere soon on the streaming platform.
Comic-Con 2025 Brings Anticipation and Industry Transitions
Comic-Con 2025 in downtown San Diego has drawn approximately 135,000 attendees, many dressed in elaborate costumes, eager for previews and announcements. Among the eagerly awaited content are teasers for the upcoming FX series Alien: Earth, the horror film Predator: Badlands releasing in November, and the video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.
Meanwhile, industry insiders are closely watching the recent merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, approved this week by the Federal Communications Commission. Valued at $8 billion, the transaction is set to complete soon, but questions remain about internal challenges and cultural shifts within the merged company.
Paramount’s recent struggles include controversies surrounding CBS, where a lawsuit settlement concerning 60 Minutes and the end of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show have sparked debate about corporate influence on journalism. Following the merger approval, Chris McCarthy, a leader responsible for cable networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon, announced his departure amid expected $2 billion cost cuts initiated by Skydance.
David Ellison, head of Skydance, is expected to lead the combined organization, with former NBC Universal executive Jeff Shell named as incoming president. Attention will be centered on how the new management handles CBS News, especially after a $16 million settlement related to controversy over a 60 Minutes interview alleged to have been edited against Kamala Harris. News CEO Wendy McMahon and 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens resigned in protest of the deal. Owens has been replaced by Tanya Simon, whose appointment has been seen positively by members of the 60 Minutes team.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer is still important to him. However, he also describes himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. After being removed from the Guardians of the Galaxy series in 2018, the director believed his career was finished. Fortunately, in 2022, he and Peter Safran were chosen to lead DC Studios, giving him a chance to work on another superhero project. Toby Emmerich from Warner Bros. took part in this development.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu inspired the new CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman movie. Gunn grew up in a Catholic home and still finds prayer important. However, he describes himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn still with Marvel?
A. James Gunn lost his position at Marvel because some of his old tweets, which contained offensive content, were brought back to public attention.
