James Gunn has revealed that the sequel to the latest Superman film will be arriving sooner than anticipated. Following the movie‘s successful July release, which brought the DC Universe a fresh take on its iconic character, Gunn shared in a recent interview that he has completed the detailed story treatment and is actively planning the production schedule.
The New Superman and Transition in the DC Universe
The current Superman film features David Corenswet in the titular role, marking his first appearance as Clark Kent. This follows Henry Cavill’s portrayal in several DC productions, including 2013’s Man of Steel, 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and the 2017 Justice League. Cavill also appeared briefly in 2022’s Black Adam but has since stated he will no longer continue with Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe.
Progress on the Sequel’s Script and Filming Plans
In an interview with Collider, Gunn explained the progress made on the sequel’s development. He said,
“I’m totally done with the treatment. My treatments are incredibly intense. They’re not regular treatments. They’re 60-page treatments with dialogue and everything. And so, now I’m just turning that into a script. We’re planning out when we’re going to shoot that. It’s going to be much sooner rather than later.”
This hints that production will begin ahead of previous expectations.
Potential Crossovers and Future Directions in the DC Universe
Gunn has also addressed the possibility of uniting Corenswet’s Superman with Robert Pattinson’s Batman in a future project. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Gunn noted,
“I’ve met him [Pattinson] before, we’ve talked about it before. But it’s not what’s happening right now,”
and added,
“Everything is in flux, so we’ll figure out what we’re doing next.”
Meanwhile, Pattinson is set to return as Batman in The Batman 2, scheduled for release in October 2027.
Reception of the Latest Superman Film and Its Impact
The recent Superman movie received generally positive reviews, with NME awarding it three stars and highlighting its revitalization of the franchise. The review praised Gunn’s faithful adaptation of the DC Comics Superman and noted characters like the shapeshifting Metamorpho, played by Anthony Carrigan, as valuable additions.
“To give Gunn his due, he crafts a world that’s as close to the DC Comics Superman that we’ve ever seen, with characters like the shapeshifting Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) adding real texture. It’s a promising start-point to his plans for the DC Universe,”
the review said.
Though the film’s good-versus-evil narrative was seen as familiar, it sparked commentary about Superman’s role as an alien peacekeeper. NME remarked,
“And while the good-versus-evil plot does little to push the envelope, the idea of Superman being an alien peacekeeper is surely going to stir up political controversies back in Gunn’s MAGA-homeland. Mainly, though, just give us more Krypto – this canine really is super.”
Insight into Superman’s Varying International Appeal
In addition to his work on the film, Gunn has speculated that Superman’s comparatively stronger performance in the United States versus global markets may reflect broader attitudes toward America. This observation adds a layer of complexity to the character’s cultural resonance as the DC Universe continues to evolve under Gunn’s leadership.
