The new Superman movie has arrived, and its opening weekend has made it clear that James Gunn and Peter Safran’s plans for the DC Universe will move forward. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed this in an official statement, sharing the film’s box office performance and briefly outlining what comes next for DC Studios.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav spoke about the film’s release. In his comments, he praised Gunn’s direction and gave some insight into the upcoming projects. According to Zaslav, the next titles on the schedule are Supergirl, which has already finished filming, Clayface, a horror film directed by Mike Flanagan, and HBO’s Lanterns, which will feature Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in lead roles.
Zaslav said, “Three years ago, I hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to reimagine and unify the creative direction of DC under one leadership team, by breathing new life and excitement into one of the most iconic storytelling franchises in the world. James and Peter’s commitment to honoring the legacy of the DC Universe while forging something new and enthralling is inspired.”
He also shared a personal impression from his early meeting with Gunn: “I remember my first meeting with James three years ago. He spoke about growing up in Missouri and how the characters of the DC Universe weren’t just stories to him, they were like his family. His personal bond with these DC heroes was powerful and I knew then that James was the right person to bring them to life. His love for the DC world runs deep, and it shines in every frame of his work.”
Zaslav concluded by highlighting the direction of the franchise: “This weekend, we watched Superman soar as James Gunn’s passion and vision came to life on the big screen. Superman is just the first step. Over the next year alone, DC Studios will introduce the films Supergirl and Clayface in theaters and the series Lanterns on HBO Max, all part of a bold ten-year plan. The DC vision is clear, the momentum is real, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
Notably, Zaslav did not mention Peacemaker, the next DCU project scheduled to be released. The HBO Max series stars John Cena and continues with the same version of the character seen in the DCEU. It will follow the events of Superman, as both stories include the Justice Gang, the hero group featured in the film.
Other DC projects currently being developed include The Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans, Swamp Thing, Dynamic Duo, Waller, Booster Gold, and Paradise Lost, along with several other titles.
Superman made $122 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend. This was within earlier predictions, which ranged from $90 million to $120 million. Although the film did not reach some of the highest forecasts of $130 million, it performed close to expectations. Worldwide, its box office total reached $217 million, slightly under the film’s reported production cost of $225 million. The movie is still expected to become profitable once global ticket sales continue and other revenue sources are factored in.
Given its opening performance, a sequel seems likely. However, director James Gunn has indicated that what comes next may not be a traditional follow-up. When asked on social media about a possible Superman 2, Gunn replied, “Define Superman 2.” He has mentioned in the past that his next project includes the character of Superman, but it may feature him in a broader crossover rather than a direct sequel.
A Superman-Batman team-up has been discussed by fans, but any new version would need to take a different approach than the prior Batman v. Superman film. Until DC Studios announces specific details, viewers will have to wait to find out when David Corenswet will return as the Man of Steel.
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English (US) · 