Superman Franchise Could See Strategic Changes Amid Netflix Acquisition Talks

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Neil Cole

Industry reports suggest that Netflix is exploring a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's film and streaming operations - a move that could significantly reshape the future of DC Studios, the Superman franchise, and the broader entertainment landscape.

According to Variety and Reuters, Netflix has hired investment bank Moelis & Co. to assess the possibility of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets, including Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO. While the talks are still in the exploratory stage, the move has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, as it could place some of the industry's most valuable franchises - including Superman and the DC Universe - under new ownership.

Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly weighing a corporate restructuring that would separate its studio and streaming divisions from its cable networks such as CNN and TNT. Such a split could make it easier for Netflix to pursue a focused acquisition of the company's entertainment arm, aligning with its long-term strategy to own high-value intellectual properties rather than simply license them.

The timing of this news is especially notable given the success of "Superman" (2025), the first film in DC Studios' newly rebooted cinematic universe. Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, the film has revitalized the Superman brand both critically and commercially, laying the groundwork for a long-term storytelling plan that includes the upcoming sequel, "Man of Tomorrow" (2027).

Industry analysts have begun speculating about what Netflix ownership could mean for the future of DC Studios. Some believe the streaming giant's global infrastructure could supercharge the international reach of the Superman franchise, offering broader distribution opportunities and unprecedented marketing resources. Others, however, warn that corporate realignment could disrupt the creative autonomy currently enjoyed by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, potentially altering the tone or direction of the new DC Universe just as it gains momentum.

A Netflix acquisition could also transform how future DC films are released and consumed. The studio might prioritize hybrid release models or even debut select DC titles directly on Netflix, changing decades of theatrical tradition for properties like Superman and Batman. Conversely, some insiders suggest that Netflix's streaming-first model could allow for faster development of spin-offs and limited series set within the new DC continuity, leveraging the company's experience in serialized storytelling.

While it remains unclear whether Netflix will ultimately move forward with a formal offer, the possibility of such a deal underscores the growing convergence between traditional Hollywood studios and global streaming platforms. For DC Studios - and for Superman in particular - the coming months could determine not just the next chapter of the Man of Steel's story, but the platform on which that story is told.