James Gunn has announced the next major chapter for DC’s cinematic universe, revealing plans for a new superhero movie saga focused on Superman. This announcement, made during the Peacemaker Season 2 premiere, signals a fresh saga that will shape the future narratives under the James Gunn Superman Saga framework, aiming to expand and redefine the DCU’s storytelling approach.
Known for pioneering large-scale storytelling sagas within superhero cinema through his work at Marvel and now DC, Gunn’s new Superman Saga represents the fourth significant saga in the comic book film world. Unlike Marvel’s previous saga phases, the DCU under Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran has so far organized its stories by chapters—with the current era called Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters—but this latest reveal confirms sagas will play a crucial ongoing role.
James Gunn’s Vision for the Superman Saga
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet for Peacemaker Season 2, Gunn detailed his progress on the Superman sequel. He explained that he has completed a detailed treatment for what he refers to as the Superman Saga and is preparing to enter production soon. This new story arc will follow the successful reboot introduced in this summer’s Superman film and marks the first saga officially established within the core DC Universe under Gunn’s leadership.
The Peacemaker series, which returns to HBO Max on August 21, represents just the beginning of a wider slate of interconnected projects forming the backbone of the new DCU. Upcoming titles include the highly anticipated Supergirl and Lanterns films, alongside Gunn’s yet-to-be-titled Superman sequel—rumored by insiders to expand into a Super-family story that might intertwine with other characters and narratives within the DCU’s unfolding mythology.
Background on Superhero Movie Sagas in Modern Cinema
Superhero movie sagas have become a defining feature of contemporary comic book franchises, originally popularized by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The MCU introduced two landmark sagas: the Infinity Saga and the Multiverse Saga, each encapsulating distinct eras and thematic arcs that span numerous films and series.
Gunn’s announcement of the Superman Saga heralds a fourth saga for the genre, expanding beyond the models created by the MCU and integrating with DC’s existing Chapter system to create a hybrid narrative structure for the studio’s projects.
The Infinity Saga: MCU’s Foundational Epic
The Infinity Saga set the stage for what a long-form superhero narrative could achieve, covering the MCU’s first decade. Beginning with Iron Man in 2008 and culminating in Avengers: Endgame in 2019, this saga included 23 films and introduced beloved heroes such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. The storyline culminated in the universe-spanning conflict with Thanos, portrayed by Josh Brolin, and the dramatic “snap” that erased half of all life.
Exploring the MCU’s Multiverse Saga
The currently ongoing Multiverse Saga follows the post-Endgame era, weaving together an expansive universe that includes 15 movies, 15 Disney+ series, and special presentations. It expands upon the concept of the Marvel Multiverse, featuring heroes and villains crossing realities to explore complex, intertwined storylines. This phase is slated to conclude with two high-profile Avengers films, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Secret Wars (2027), the latter adapting a legendary comic book event.
The Batman Epic Crime Saga: A Separate DC Journey
Distinct from the broader DC Universe, the Batman Epic Crime Saga is the first film series announced during Gunn and Safran’s stewardship. Directed by Matt Reeves, this saga focuses on a darker, grittier portrayal of Gotham’s Caped Crusader, played by Robert Pattinson, exploring his formative years as the city’s vigilant protector.
To date, this saga includes a single feature film along with an HBO series about the Penguin. The Batman – Part II script is completed, and speculation around additional spin-offs and sequels continues to grow, promising to deepen the exploration of Gotham’s underworld and its characters outside the main DCU timeline.
What the Superman Saga Means for DC’s Future
James Gunn’s Superman Saga is positioned as the first officially labeled saga within the mainline DCU, reflecting his approach of creating focused franchises with multiple planned entries. Whether this saga will center exclusively on Superman or also incorporate related characters like Supergirl remains uncertain; however, given the interconnected narrative style, inclusion of these characters seems likely.
This new saga promises to be a core pillar for DC Studios’ evolving cinematic strategy, potentially shaping multiple films and stories around the Man of Steel and his supporting universe. With production expected to start soon, fans and industry observers alike are eager to see how the saga will blend classic Superman mythology with fresh storytelling under Gunn’s creative direction.
As the DCU continues to expand with projects like Peacemaker Season 2 and the upcoming installments in the Gods and Monsters chapter, the launch of the Superman Saga highlights the studio’s broader ambition to build a rich, multi-layered cinematic universe that balances continuity with innovation.
