Since its release last month, the new Superman film has garnered positive critical reception, holding an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is on track to become the highest-grossing superhero movie of 2025, surpassing $600 million globally. While it may not reach the billion-dollar mark, the movie’s success marks a significant turnaround for DC Studios, which had faced difficulties following recent underperforming titles such as The Flash and Joker: Folie à Deux.
James Gunn Shares Relief and Optimism Following the Film’s Reception
Director James Gunn described the movie’s success as a huge relief and a turning point for the DC brand. He compared the challenges of delivering Superman to those he faced with the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, stating,
“That’s all it is, it’s just an enormous sense of relief. It’s relief, and then followed very quickly by excitement,”
and added,
“Because Superman in some ways was the proof of concept. It was so, so hard, in the same way that Guardians [of the Galaxy] was so, so hard. Once you’re in the groove, you realise, ‘Oh, this is what works, this is what doesn’t, this is where we can go with this.’”
Newfound Creative Freedom Opens Doors for Future DC Stories
Gunn expressed that the success of Superman now allows DC Studios to pursue other narratives with greater liberty and enthusiasm. He remarked,
“It means now we have the freedom to tell these other stories in a way that’s really exciting,”
continuing,
“Now, I can just be creative and I don’t have to be as concerned with the life and death of the DC brand as I was a month and a half ago.”
Audience Connection and Narrative Purpose in DCU Films
The director acknowledged his satisfaction with how the film connected with audiences but emphasized that not every DC Universe (DCU) film he directs will follow the same approach. Gunn explained,
“I feel really embraced by the audience. My feeling is that the movie spoke to people, but it also spoke to people because there was a reason for its existence,”
adding,
“There was this message of kindness that spoke to people.”
He clarified,
“That doesn’t mean every story I’m going to tell is a message of kindness; it just means there needs to be a reason for the story to be told. You can’t just be piling on stuff because it’s the characters people liked,”
highlighting his commitment to meaningful storytelling.
Looking Ahead: Supergirl and Potential Justice Gang Developments
Following Superman’s success, the DCU is set to expand the “Super-Family” narrative with upcoming projects like Supergirl, expected to lead into a crossover featuring the Maid of Might alongside the Man of Steel. There is speculation that James Gunn’s longer-term plans might involve the Justice Gang, potentially introducing the Justice League International. However, Gunn remains cautious about revealing details, leaving fans eager for what comes next, including hopes for the long-anticipated debut of Brainiac in the DC cinematic world.
