James Gunn, James Gunn DC Studios gratitude [Image Source: COMICBOOKMOVIE]
Spider-Man took center stage at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, captivating spectators with a vibrant float, as the parade celebrated both the Marvel icon and upcoming cinematic milestones. At the same time, James Gunn DC Studios gratitude reached fans through heartfelt social media messages recognizing their support over the past three years.
Superhero Highlights Lead Parade and Industry News
With the parade underway, one of the standout moments was the impressive Spider-Man float, drawing attention as excitement builds around the character’s future. Comic fans are anticipating the release of Amazing Spider-Man #1000, while next year promises the debut of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters and the return of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 on Disney+.
Looking ahead, Sony Pictures Animation is developing Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, and fans are abuzz about potential appearances by Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield in the anticipated Avengers: Secret Wars film. These projects underline Spider-Man’s enduring popularity across generations and media.
James Gunn Expresses Gratitude and Looks Ahead for DC Studios
Meanwhile, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn reflected on the superhero legacy, drawing a link from the first Superman float at the parade in 1940 through the present achievements of the studio. Gunn shared,
Image of: James Gunn
“First Superman float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, 1940. Today I’m grateful for all the fans out there who have supported all of us at DC Studios over the past three years (!)”
— James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
He further acknowledged the fans’ role in making the creative journey rewarding, stating,
“This job is fun in and of itself, telling new stories with some of the world’s most iconic characters – but you make it all the better with your love, support, laughter and insights. Thank you!”
— James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
The positive momentum for DC Studios continues, with the upcoming Superman film expected to be 2025’s biggest superhero box office draw. Despite mixed reactions to certain projects, the second season of Peacemaker received critical acclaim after its August debut on HBO Max.
Exciting Projects for Both Marvel and DC Universes
The next few years are packed with major superhero releases. For DC, new films such as Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface are due in 2026, while Man of Tomorrow and The Batman Part II are on track to begin filming. Man of Tomorrow will star David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. James Gunn is both writer and director for this much-anticipated Superman project.
On Marvel’s side, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, led by director Destin Daniel Cretton and a script from franchise veterans Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, arrives in theaters July 31, 2026. Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man, joined by a star-studded cast including Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Michael Mando, Tramell Tillman, Marvin Jones III, Jacob Batalon, and Liza Colón-Zayas. Florence Pugh is also set to reprise her role as Yelena Belova from Thunderbolts.
Fan Enthusiasm and Industry Momentum
With Spider-Man delighting crowds in New York City and James Gunn DC Studios gratitude energizing superhero fans, the parade spotlight underscores a thriving era for both Marvel and DC properties. As new stories and characters prepare to hit screens and comic pages, audiences can look forward to a rich lineup of beloved icons and fresh adventures, with both superhero universes thriving and building excitement for the future.
