The James Gunn Superman approach appears to be losing momentum as Hollywood undergoes a dramatic transformation, favoring mythic storytelling and global spectacle. Recent developments indicate that power brokers connected to Trump, the Ellisons, and Saudi interests are steering studio priorities toward event-driven, larger-than-life hero narratives.
Hollywood’s Power Landscape These Days
According to sources with direct knowledge, influential industry players—including Trump, the Ellison family, Saudi financiers, and figures like Brett Ratner—are advocating for Hollywood to return to big-budget, globally appealing blockbuster films. This coalition supports movies that embrace classic mythologies, action-heavy style, and worldwide appeal, very much in the tradition of Zack Snyder’s filmmaking.
A preference for intense, muscular styles is said to echo the values of the UFC and the ambitions of Saudi investors, who are reportedly setting new standards for live-event dominance with moves like UFC 324 streaming on Paramount+ and an unprecedented UFC event at the White House. The current trend also sees legacy directors like Michael Bay returning to tentpole franchises, demonstrating the shifting priorities of major studios and financiers.
Brett Ratner’s renewed involvement—including financial support for the SnyderVerse and direction of the Melania Trump documentary—further illustrates the consolidation of a powerful circle. This network, which includes the Ellisons, the Saudis, and Ratner, seeks to reignite Hollywood’s focus on spectacle-driven productions. Their vision places operatic action and mythological storytelling at the center of cinematic output, aiming for films that pack theaters and resonate worldwide.
Snyder’s DC Vision Meets the Industry’s New Direction
Insiders highlight that visionary filmmakers like James Cameron and Christopher Nolan exemplify the fusion of myth, scale, and memorable characters now in demand. Zack Snyder’s legacy at DC—with films such as Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League—embodies this approach through operatic scale, iconic heroism, and a mythic sensibility.
Studio resistance previously hindered Snyder’s ambitions for a truly mythological Superman narrative. As noted by the source, James Cameron encouraged Snyder to shoot Man of Steel in native 3D, recognizing its epic potential. Despite ongoing clashes with Warner Bros., Snyder remained committed to his bold vision.
Energy around this paradigm shift is echoed by figures like producer Dallas Sonnier, who discussed a coming wave of media underwritten by Trump allies. Sonnier forecasted
“a wave of classically male-driven movies with mentally tough, traditional, courageous, confident heroes. Maybe even a tad cocky, but dedicated to honor and duty. Plus, of course, a few explosions, gun battles, helicopters, fistfights, and car chases!”
—Dallas Sonnier, Producer
This template aligns with Snyder’s concept of Superman and stands in sharp contrast to the more personal, introspective tone favored by James Gunn.
Gunn’s Superman Approach Faces Global Rejection
Industry feedback suggests that global and especially Asian audiences are embracing projects with strong, empowered, and charismatic heroes—traits typified by Snyder’s Superman but diverging from the emotional, self-reflective slant of Gunn’s version. The massive popularity of K-Pop Demon Hunters reportedly demonstrated the demand for mythological, dynamic characters, overshadowing the reception for more vulnerable or “victimized” protagonists.
Specifically, the insider remarked:
“The success of K-Pop Demon Hunters revealed the flaws of James Gunn’s Superman — the Asian audience and the rest of the world want strong, edgy, and mythological stories, with bigger than life rock star personalities like Michael Jackson and Elvis (two legends that could command a room and inspired awe), not someone like Gunn’s Superman who whines, gets pushed around, and too busy dealing with feelings and victimized in the moment of crisis. The protagonists in K-Pop Demon Hunters were iconic, bigger-than-life, mythological, and weren’t portrayed as victims. Zack Snyder’s DC fits perfectly with the current and future zeitgeist.”
Industry sources reiterate that global markets crave protagonists who inspire awe and command attention—parallel to the impact of cultural icons such as Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. This perspective, reinforced by the blockbuster success of K-Pop Demon Hunters, represents a substantial challenge to Gunn’s more grounded and emotionally-driven Superman narrative.
Dana White on the End of Shared Cultural Moments
UFC’s Dana White recently discussed what he describes as the “death of monoculture,” emphasizing how Hollywood’s shift away from universally shared events has diminished the lasting impact of studio releases. White outlined how the previous system produced must-see blockbusters, filled theaters, and generated collective excitement, whereas current trends rely heavily on fragmented streaming content and fleeting digital attention.
White pointed to the global performance of F1—a film that succeeded by remaining in cinemas for months and being treated as an event—as a case study for what studios should aspire to recreate. The model prioritized communal entertainment over fast-moving, disposable releases, echoing the consolidated vision supported by the Ellisons, Saudi stakeholders, UFC, and associated partners.
This philosophy is informing Snyder’s new collaboration with the UFC, the Saudis, and Dana White on a major UFC Brawler movie that seeks to reestablish event filmmaking as a unifying force for audiences everywhere.
Saudi Arabia, Artificial Intelligence, and Cinematic Spectacle
Recent developments reveal that Trump and Saudi stakeholders have agreed on a nuclear-powered AI initiative, marking a new phase in entertainment and global technology. This move is set to reshape how billions—especially the so-called “Scrolling Class”—engage with media on their devices.
Despite the rise of mobile-first consumption, the investors’ goal is to restore event-driven communal experiences through sports and massive blockbuster films that demand a theatrical setting. Crucially, this shift does not favor smaller-scale superhero stories, but bolsters mythic event cinema in the vein of Snyder’s DC work.
The trend extends into political and business spheres as well. Melania Trump recently launched Muse Films, a new production company aiming to influence the next phase of entertainment. Announcing her upcoming documentary, Melania, for January 2026, she spotlighted the Trump family’s deepening engagement in film and media—combining political clout with mythic branding, as Muse was also Donald Trump’s Secret Service codename.
PRESENTING: MUSE FILMS My new production company.MELANIA, the film, exclusively in theaters worldwide on January 30th, 2026. pic.twitter.com/JgdG1vnOrC— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) November 28, 2025
Snyder’s Vision Poised for Warner Bros. Under New Ownership
As rumors intensify around the Ellisons acquiring Warner Bros., market watchers suggest that Snyder’s expertise in epic storytelling and global branding uniquely suit the priorities of Hollywood’s emerging leadership. The distinct preference for mythology, spectacle, and universally appealing heroes stands in opposition to Gunn’s artistic direction.
Confidential sources claim that if the Ellison family succeeds in their Warner Bros. takeover bid, Gunn is likely to be phased out, with all signs pointing to Snyder’s vision taking center stage in future productions. The combined influence of Trump, the Saudis, and high-powered financiers is expected to dramatically reshape the studio’s output toward mythic, event-focused cinema capable of drawing worldwide fan communities.
With Snyder uniting interests from UFC, Saudi Arabia, and the broader entertainment industry, the center of gravity in Hollywood is shifting away from smaller, intimate narratives to grand theatrics and iconic heroes. As these industry forces grow stronger, the era of modest, emotionally-driven superhero tales appears to be waning, undercut by a rising appetite for global spectacles powered by mythic storytelling.
PRESENTING: MUSE FILMS
My new production company.MELANIA, the film, exclusively in theaters worldwide on January 30th, 2026. pic.twitter.com/JgdG1vnOrC
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) November 28, 2025
