EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesDC MoviesSupermanJames Gunn says Superman’s been less popular in recent years, but there’s a surprisingly simple reason his is the first movie in the DCUWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesDC MoviesSupermanJames Gunn says Superman’s been less popular in recent years, but there’s a surprisingly simple reason his is the first movie in the DCUWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: DC)
James Gunnhas a pretty simple reason for whySupermanis the first feature-length project in the DCU.
Speaking to press at an event GamesRadar+ attended earlier this week, ahead of the launch of theSuperman trailer, Gunn spoke about why he wanted this to be the first movie in the DCU.
He explains: “Probably the fact that I had started writing it before I came to DC Studios has something to do with it. But listen, [with] DC, Superman is the first superhero. We have seen Batman in recent years. We have seen Wonder Woman in recent years, and that’s the trinity, as they say, and Superman, we haven’t seen as much of on the movie screens.”
Gunn continues: “So being able to take Superman and play with that character was something that I was excited about. I’m living Peter Safran’s dream, he’s my partner, and all he’s wanted to do in his whole life is create a Superman movie.”
Gunn and Safran were first announced as co-CEOs in the newly established DC Studios back in 2022, and unveiled their first slate of projects in 2023. The first era of the DCU (formerly known as the DCEU), is titledChapter One: Gods and Monsters, and kicked off with the R-rated animated series Creature Commandos on December 5. Superman is set to hit theaters in the summer of 2025, with Peacemaker season 2 coming shortly after.
Before Gunn and Safran’s takeover, Man of Steel 2 starring Henry Cavill was thought to be in the works - but was never officially announced. Gunn’s vision for the next Superman film involved a younger Clark Kent - which brought about David Corenswet’s casting. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel herself, Rachel Brosnahan, is set to play Lois Lane.
Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025. For more, check out our list of all theupcoming DC movies and showsyou need to know about.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”