Superman isn’t just a reset for the Man of Steel, but an entire DC Universe, and as such, it brings with it multiple other new heroes who’ll go on to play key roles in the future. There’s the Justice Gang – Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl – all of whom will return in Peacemaker, with Guy Gardner also expected to appear in Lanterns when it debuts on HBO Max sometime in 2026. And towards Superman‘s ending, there’s also the appearance of Kal-El’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl (played by House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock).

We’ve seen multiple iterations of the Girl of Steel on-screen over the years, from Helen Slater’s take in the 1980s through to Melissa Benoist in the Arrowverse, and most recently, Sasha Calle in The Flash. However, we haven’t seen Kara appear quite like this. Supergirl is, rather surprisingly, drunk, stumbling her way in (and out) of the Fortress of Solitude and calling her cousin “b*tch” for good measure. Clark explains that Kara has been on a planet with a red sun, which allows Kryptonians to become intoxicated, but the reasoning behind it makes for a great way to set up her solo movie.

Why Supergirl Is Drunk In Superman

The “why” of Supergirl being drunk is more intriguing than the “how,” and speaks to the differences between the Maiden of Might and the Man of Steel in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. In an interview with ScreenRant, Gunn himself described this version of the character as “a total mess,” adding that she had a “different… much more difficult background” than her cousin.

The Supergirl movie, taking inspiration from the comic book run Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (written by Tom King, with art by Bilquis Evely and color from Mat Lopes), will explore more of just what happened to her. But, in a nutshell, whereas Kal-El was sent to Earth and raised by a loving family, Kara remained on a chunk of Krypton. She spent years there, watching people she knew and loved die, turning her into a much darker, more depressed, and disillusioned character and one who, yes, turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

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The comic book story even begins with Kara getting drunk at a bar on her 21st birthday, so the DC Universe’s take seems to be sticking reasonably close to that blueprint. It’s a version of the character who has no clear sense of purpose and has suffered a huge amount of loss, which should lead directly into her solo movie.

Superman’s Setup For DC’s Supergirl Movie Is Perfect

Supergirl’s cameo in Superman is very much played for laughs, and it works, in part thanks to Alcock’s performance (I like to think that Gunn’s choice was at least partially inspired by the actress being drunk on stage at the Golden Globes 2023). That’s something that should continue, allowing for moments of levity and real humor in the 2026 movie, but there’s also an opportunity for something much deeper to go alongside it.

Supergirl should be about exploring Kara’s trauma, guilt, and anger. There’s a real chance to dive into her psyche in a way that brings a lot of pathos and likely a lot of superpowered rage (Woman of Tomorrow‘s story is, in a basic sense, a revenge mission that Kara ends up joining). The movie needs to maintain a careful tonal balance between comedy and tragedy, but the setup is very much there to do so. It can use the cameo as a springboard to unpack what led to Kara being this way, which should make it a more complex character study.

That would pair perfectly with Superman. Gunn delivered a very classic take on the character, which focused on his humanity; it’s about the hope he both carries with him and instills in others. Supergirl should be an exploration of a superhero who has lost that hope and has to work to regain it. About, to use Gunn’s phrasing, a messy individual (and her adorable-if-also-messy dog) who has to untangle that mess. It will be a unique journey, one that is entirely hers and distinct from her cousin’s, and will hopefully show the richness and diversity of stories in the burgeoning DCU.

Supergirl will be released in theaters on June 26th, 2026. Superman is currently in theaters and available on digital.

The post Supergirl Being Drunk in Superman Is Perfect for James Gunn’s DC Universe appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn’s Superman continues to climb the all-time box office chart and is now set to pass a major Marvel movie sequel from the pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe era. As of Friday, August 15th, Superman has earned around $337 million in the United States. This means that by the end of the weekend, it will have grossed enough to surpass 2007’s Spider-Man 3. The conclusion to Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy made $337.2 million domestically during its run, which was good enough to make it the highest-grossing film of the year. It beat out other notable sequels such as Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Granted, this does not take into consideration the nearly 20 years of inflation between Spider-Man 3 and Superman. In 2025 dollars, the Marvel movie’s lifetime domestic gross comes out to about $524.3 million — a figure Superman is unlikely to reach. It’s also worth mentioning that Spider-Man 3 proved to be a much larger draw overseas — even unadjusted for inflation. Spider-Man 3 grossed $890.8 million worldwide, while Superman‘s global total currently stands at $588.7 million. Still, it’s impressive to see the first film in the DC Universe reach these heights, especially as other superhero titles have struggled at the box office this year.

Bolstered by positive reviews and strong audience word of mouth, Superman exceeded box office expectations by grossing $125 million domestically over its opening weekend. It held well over the past few weeks, claiming the title of the year’s highest-grossing superhero movie. Superman was performing so well at the box office that it likely would have had a longer theatrical run were it not for Peacemaker Season 2 debuting this month.

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Superman‘s success has generated excitement for the future of the DCU. Gunn has already confirmed he’s busy working on a Superman follow-up and hopes to begin production in the not-too-distant future. Movies about the franchise’s Batman and Wonder Woman are also in development, though no release dates have been set.

Notable titles ahead of Superman on the all-time chart include Zootopia ($341.6 million), Thor: Love and Thunder ($343.2 million), and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ($345.5 million). It will be interesting to see how higher Superman can soar before its time in theaters is over. The film is now available to rent and purchase on digital PVOD platforms like Apple and Amazon, meaning people now have less incentive to check it out in theaters. Since Superman is on home media, things will likely slow down at the box office even more than they already have (last weekend’s haul was $7.9 million).

Regardless of where it settles on the all-time charts, Superman has accomplished what it set out to achieve. DC was in dire straits before Gunn’s film arrived, as 2022’s The Batman was the only real bona fide box office hit over the past few years. Now, the DCU has gotten off on the all-important right foot, allowing Gunn and Peter Safran to further develop their 10-year plan for the franchise. Hopefully, Superman will be the first in a long string of DC Studios blockbusters.

The post James Gunn’s Superman Passes Major Marvel Sequel at Box Office appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The future of the DC Universe is becoming clearer by the day. Following the success of Superman, James Gunn is wasting no time getting his version of the Man of Steel back on the big screen, writing the next movie in the “Superman Saga,” which he plans to direct. Details about the project are scarce, but it’s sure to feature both Superman and his cousin, Supergirl, who is getting her own solo movie in 2026. Rather than hanging around Earth, Supergirl will send its titular character to the stars as she searches for another planet that enjoys partying as much as she does.

Gunn has made it clear that the DCU’s version of Supergirl is a hot mess, attempting to drown out her sorrows with booze. It’s hard to blame her because she lost everyone she cared about growing up, but Krypton didn’t seem like that great of a place, given the message that Kal-El received before leaving for Earth. However, I think there’s another Krypton-based twist coming in the next Superman film, one that will shake the Man of Steel to his core.

Jor-El Might Not Be Who He Says He Is in the DCU

Lex Luthor’s plan to take down Superman in the 2025 movie leads him to the Fortress of Solitude, where he discovers a control panel that houses a message from the hero’s parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. The first part of it is wholesome, informing Kal-El that he’s heading to a planet in need of help. However, Luthor obtains the second half of the holographic video, which has a significantly different tone. It turns out that Superman’s parents meant for him to conquer humanity and force women on the planet to bear his children. The twist takes the character into new territory, as he’s never had to deal with the idea of his parents being evil in live-action.

The message’s contents have been controversial, to say the least. There is a lot of heat on Supergirl, as she fails to tell her cousin the truth. It may not be her fault, though, as there’s a chance the Jor-El she came to know and love isn’t the one in the video. There’s no doubt that the next DCU movie to feature Superman will continue to tackle his identity crisis head-on, and the only way to properly do that is for another Kryptonian to arrive and provide clarity. I believe that Jor-El could show up, potentially after escaping the Phantom Zone, and try to encourage his son to embrace his true destiny. Of course, Superman would be hesitant, and it would soon come to light that Jor-El is actually the evil General Zod, who posed as his nemesis to ensure that his vision for Krypton lived on. Pulling the rug out for a second time will allow Kal-El to embrace his dual citizenship, which is a much-needed message in today’s day and age.

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The DCU Doesn’t Need to Start Off on the Wrong Foot With Superman

One of the biggest issues with making Krypton something Superman wants to forget is that it tells the audience that being from two worlds means choosing one over the other. Countless people struggle with their identity, and a character like Superman typically provides relief by showing what embracing every aspect of one’s self looks like. However, unless the DCU decides to swap out Jor-El with Zod, it runs the risk of alienating a large portion of its fanbase. By doing the right thing, the door would open for Gunn and Co. to really explore Kryptonian culture, good and bad aspects, and allow both Superman and Supergirl to choose which lessons they want to take away from their home world and its people.

An added bonus of taking this route would be having Bradley Cooper play General Zod. While it was great to see a familiar face as Jor-El, it felt like the actor was wasted in a minor part. Taking over as Zod would make up for that and let Cooper let loose as a villain who would rather die than let his dream disappear. The Kryptonian ball is in Gunn’s court, of course, as he’s the one in charge, but he shouldn’t feel like he has to stick to his guns because he made a strong choice the first time around.

Superman is in theaters now.

Could you see the next Superman Saga movie revealing that Jor-El is actually Zod? How would that change the DCU for you? Let us know in the comments below!

The post I Think the DCU Super-Family Movie Will Throw a Major Twist Into Superman’s Controversial Origin Change appeared first on ComicBook.com.

We’ve been here before. Jump back to the early 2010s, and comic book movie fans were having the exact same debate about DC and its movie universe future as they are now. Around 2011, Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy ended, and the new DCEU was still in its formative stages. By 2012, fans everywhere were wondering if Christian Bale’s Batman would stand alongside Henry Cavill’s Superman, bringing the worlds of Nolan’s trilogy and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel together. It ultimately didn’t happen; Snyder tried to introduce Ben Affleck as a new vision of Batman, and the rest is (infamous) history. Cut back now, and fans are once again wondering: will Robert Pattinson’s Batman (from director Matt Reeves’ The Batman film series) share the screen with David Corenswet’s Superman, in James Gunn’s new DCU franchise?

There is already a long list of reasons why this onscreen collaboration isn’t going to happen, but here’s a hot take: it would be oddly perfect if it did. Below, you’ll find some pretty good arguments for why it would work better than most fans (or even the studio) think.

“Robert Pattinson’s Batman Is Too Dark & Scary For the DCU!”

Robeter Pattinson’s (emo) take on Bruce Wayne, and the over aesthetic of Gotham City that Matt Reeves and co. created in The Batman, are definitely polar opposites to the bright, fantastical version of Metropolis that James Gunn introduced in Superman. And that’s exactly the point, isn’t it?

DC Comics lore is constantly going back to the idea that Batman and Superman are very different kinds of heroes, in large part because of the different kinds of environments they grew up in and/or currently live in. So, while many fans look at The Batman franchise as being incongruent with DCU shared universe films, that juxtaposition may be the best way to finally highlight the different worlds of Batman and Superman, onscreen. Moreover, James Gunn has made it clear that DC Studios projects will come in a wide range of genres, tones, and even ratings. If Creatures Commandos and a Clayface body-horror movie can stand alongside Superman in the DCU, The Batman can too.

The Batman’s World Is Dark, Yes, But He Still Has DCU Values

Yes, Reeves made his version of The Batman feel like a David Fincher serial killer movie, with a more fanciful detective, femme fatale, and killer at its center. However, Reeves was also very careful to convey that while Pattinson’s Batman may have a darker, edgelord personality, he also had the Dark Knight’s strict moral code. Pattinson’s Batman admonishes Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz) for trying to kill, and despite personal risk (and numerous injuries), he refuses to use fatal attacks or return gunfire in the climactic showdown with The Riddler’s army of incels. More so than Affleck’s Batman, Pattinson’s Caped Crusader seems to be very rigid in his moral code.

So, when we’re imagining what it would look like to have Corenswet’s Superman working with Pattinson’s Batman? Yes, the awkward clash of personalities would be there (as it should be), but at the end of the day, both heroes would find common ground in their values about where to draw the line on killing. It’s a core foundation to build a DCU Justice League on, while still allowing Batman to be appropriately harder and edgier in how he approaches crimefighting.

It’s NOT “Bad For (DCU) Business”

The real story of “success” or “failure” when it comes to Superman‘s performance isn’t just box office receipts. For a reboot that’s also meant to launch an entire shared universe IP, it’s also very much about branding and merchandising. And, if you haven’t been tracking those, it’s already clear that DC Studios and Warner Bros. achieved wins on both fronts. In that sense, there might be some fairly measured worry within the studio that The Batman franchise doesn’t have the same kind of wide marketability as Superman. That’s a game-changing predicament for DC/WB, as Batman has been the company’s go-to cash cow for decades now.

Yes, it should be obvious to anyone that The Batman films aren’t going to ever sell as many toys, lunchboxes, backpacks, bedding sets, and other kid-themed merch as Superman – but it doesn’t need to. DC Studios is going for a diversified portfolio of content, and the same philosophy should carry over to the merchandising campaign: they should vary with each project. Sell kids and pet stuff as the major thrust of Superman’s tie-in merch; for The Batman Part II, start re-aligning things to sell goods more toward collectors, teens, and young adults. High-end collectibles; higher-end fashion items (motorcycle jackets, cosplay costumes, prop gadgets), tabletop games, tie-in novels or world-expanding comics, etc. The bottom line here is that following only one marketing and merchandising standard for the DCU already seems impossible; The Batman can be just as valuable to the business if marketed correctly.

The Batman Already Set Things Up Perfectly

Reeves’ film admittedly got a bit muddled in its third act (thanks, Covid!), but the director managed to land the plane (bumpily) onto the thematic tarmac of having Bruce Wayne/Batman come out of the Riddler case and subsequent terrorist attack on Gotham with a new outlook. R-Bat was committed to leaving behind the frightening ‘vengeance personified’ aspect of being Batman, and evolve himself into a symbol that can heroically inspire the people of Gotham to believe in their city again, and fight for it. (Meanwhile, villains like Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb/Penguin are feasting on the dying city.)

With Robert Pattinson’s Batman character left in that kind of place, who better to help him achieve that heroic evolution than Superman? It cannot be stressed enough that the exact kind of odd-pair fun DC fans want from a Batman and Superman collaboration is exactly what we’d get watching Corenswet’s good-natured Superman trying to get Pattinson’s brooding Batman to lighten up, be hopeful, or connect with others. Think of Rain Man with superheroes. It would be fantastic.

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The Batman Part II can make this happen sooner before later. As Batman struggles to be more hopeful, while Gotham is slipping into being a second-world city on the brink, a cameo from Superman could galvanize some key thematic motion. By the time Reeves ends the sequel, Pattinson’s Batman could be fully formed and ready to be a Justice League leader.

Pattinson’s Batman Is the Awkward Daddy The Brave and the Bold Needs

The hardest hurdle to overcome with the DCU Batman and his The Brave and the Bold movie is how to find the right actor to play The Dark Knight. This will be a Batman who both interacts with an entire library of fantastical DC heroes and villains, while also acting as a father figure to characters in the Bat-Family (Nightwing, Oracle, Robin III, Red Hood, Batgirl, Huntress), and an actual father to his biological son, Damian Wayne. Again, the fun in this approach will clearly be found in seeing Batman (the notoriously stoic, harsh, vigilante-of-few-words) trying to navigate these personal and interpersonal relationships.

The film needs to be serious enough to be on-brand for Batman, but still lighthearted enough to be an engaging metaphor for modern parenting that both kids and adults resonate with. So, if you start to envision a film that’s more like Adam Sandler’s Big Daddy with superheroes, suddenly a pick like Robert Pattinson doesn’t seem so crazy anymore. And, for those not tracking age, Pattinson is about to enter his 40s next year: A brooding and traumatized Millennial struggling to instruct and guide the naive, narcissistic, socially inept Gen Z son he didn’t even know he had? Now that sounds like a movie!

This Fixes DC Studios’ Batman Problem Entirely

No recasting. No rebooting. No more behind-the-scenes tensions. Learn the lessons of history: the DCEU tried to sundown a popular Batman franchise in favor of ‘doing its own thing.’ For as much as there will forever be diehard Batfleck fans, it’s now undeniable that the movie didn’t work: fans just weren’t willing to embrace a new Batman mythos onscreen, as quickly as WB and Zack Snyder hoped they would. So maybe this time around, let’s try the road not taken: turn your sole vestigeal “standalone” franchise (The Batman) into a cornerstone of your universe, and reap all the likely rewards to come.

Do you want to see Robert Pattinson’s Batman and David Corenswet’s Superman together in the DCU? Let us know in the comments!

The post I Think Robert Pattinson’s Batman and David Corneswet’s Superman Are the Perfect Odd Pair the DCU Needs appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman is now available on home media, which means fans have an opportunity to pause the film and go through it frame by frame with a fine-toothed comb and spot any details they might have missed in theaters. Someone has already found something that could reverse one of Superman‘s most controversial moments. The X account DC Film News shared a screenshot of Maxwell Lord’s appearance on Metropolis Today as seen at the end of the movie. The ticker at the bottom of the screen states that a Daily Planet report has evidence proving Lex Luthor manipulated the message from Superman’s Kryptonian parents that plays such a critical role in the film.

Introduced in the first 10 minutes of Superman, audiences see a portion of a message from Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van that they recorded for Kal-El before sending him to Earth. The recording was damaged en route from Krypton, so Superman has only heard the first half. He believes his biological parents have tasked him with being a beacon of hope and inspiration for the people of Earth, but the truth is deeply unsettling. After the Engineer restores the corrupt file, Lex Luthor reveals to the world that Superman was sent to conquer. Check out an image of the screenshot below:

While the House of El twist has roots in DC Comics (and even Smallville), it still proved to be controversial since Jor-El and Lara have traditionally been portrayed as noble figures in other Superman movie adaptations. Director James Gunn said he was aiming to tell a story that was “interesting for the DCU” while also still honoring who Superman is. He has said that Lex Luthor did not doctor the footage of the message’s second half. In the movie, even Mister Terrific says the message is real, seemingly clearing up any confusion.

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Jor-El and Lara’s sinister portrayal in Superman has been subject of much discussion since the film premiered. Some theories posit it was actually General Zod who recorded the message, posing as Jor-El to ensure Kryptonian supremacy for the future. Others have wondered if Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, was aware of Jor-El’s plans for Earth.

Since Gunn has maintained Jor-El’s full message is true, the existence of that Metropolis news graphic is bound to raise a few eyebrows. Some may interpret it as the filmmakers backtracking from previous statements, allowing them to go in a different direction with Jor-El if they so choose. It’s also possible the chyron is from a period in development where Luthor was actually lying about the message, which would make this a goof that was never fixed. More plausibly, however cynical it may sound, is that someone in a position of power is using the Daily Planet to give Superman a PR boost and restore his reputation by planting a false story. Jor-El’s message was always real, but now the media is saying it wasn’t because Luthor is incarcerated and Superman helped save the world.

It’ll be interesting to see if future DC Universe installments address Jor-El’s message. Perhaps it’ll be revealed who told the Planet the message was fake (or that someone at the Planet was the one who fabricated the story). Regardless, within the context of Superman‘s story, it makes the most sense for Jor-El’s message to be true. Otherwise, it would take away from Kal-El’s emotional arc. The film’s ending scene of Superman watching home movies of Jon and Martha Kent is a very powerful moment, and it only has that impact if the audience knows Superman proved he was better than what his biological parents wanted him to be. Superman is all about the titular hero reconciling his Kryptonian heritage and embracing his Earth family.

The post Newly Discovered Superman Detail Could Undo Movie’s Most Controversial Twist appeared first on ComicBook.com.

As James Gunn’s Superman hits home media, the film’s first 10 minutes have officially been released online. Fans can see what Warner Bros. Entertainment calls a “Full Movie Preview” on the company’s YouTube channel. The extended sequence contains the opening text that provides fans with a basic overview of the history of metahumans and Superman in the DC Universe, Superman being treated for injuries in the Fortress of Solitude, and some of his rematch against the Hammer of Boravia in Metropolis. The video cuts off as the Engineer tries to reach the Fortress of Solitude and relay information to Lex Luthor.

A portion of this footage was released ahead of Superman‘s premiere as a special preview attached to screenings of A Minecraft Movie. Now that Superman has been out for a while, WB doesn’t have to hide certain details and can give people a more comprehensive look at the film. Most notably, this is the first time we’ve seen Bradley Cooper’s Jor-El in promotional materials. Check out the video in the space below:

Though Superman continues to perform well at the box office and has grossed $585 million worldwide as of this writing, the decision was made to release the film on home media a little over a month after it opened in theaters. The film is now available to rent or purchase on digital platforms, and the Blu-ray comes out on September 23rd. Gunn revealed Superman had a shorter exclusive theatrical window so more people can watch it before Peacemaker Season 2 premieres on HBO Max.

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Superman is hitting home media as excitement builds for the DCU’s future. Peacemaker Season 2 is set to have some major Superman connections, and Gunn is hard at work ironing out the upcoming film slate. The filmmaker is busy developing the next film of the Superman saga, and Batman and Wonder Woman films for the DCU are currently being written.

Rewatching the first 10 minutes of Superman, one of the things that stands out is how much it sets up. The message from Kal-El’s parents, initially presented as something that soothes Superman, is the main catalyst for the narrative after Lex Luthor uncovers the disturbing truth behind it. Lex’s girlfriend Eve Teschmacher is seen taking selfies in the LuthorCorp building. At first it looks like nothing more than a superficial influencer taking photos for social media, but Eve’s pictures play a key role in exposing Lex’s illegal activities. We even see falafel vendor Malik Ali come to Superman’s aid, setting the stage for arguably the film’s most tragic moment.

These first 10 minutes may not feature what many consider to be the best fight scene in Superman, but they do a great job of establishing the film’s foundation and drawing viewers into this new take on the DC mythos. Fans can’t wait to see what Gunn and Co. come up with next as the burgeoning franchisee continues to grow, but for now, it’s the perfect time to revisit the film that kicked off a new era.

The post Superman’s History of the DCU and First 10 Minutes Are Now Online To Stream Free appeared first on ComicBook.com.

As one has come to expect from massive superhero blockbusters, James Gunn’s Superman was full of thrilling, breathtaking action that kept us on the edge our seats in the theater. While the titular character certainly had his work cut out for him battling a fire-breathing kaiju, a clone of himself, The Engineer’s relentless nanites, and internet trolls all courtesy of Lex Luthor, Superman wasn’t the only character in the film who had the opportunity to kick butt. Arguably, the best fight scene in Superman doesn’t involve Superman at all, and you can now watch it without having to spend money on a ticket.

Superman‘s best action sequence actually features the film’s breakout favorite Mister Terrific and his main squeeze Lois Lane. And now, with the film soaring from theaters to digital this week, you can watch it online for free. Watch the scene below.

Mr Terrific’s “Five Years Time” Fight Scene Is Gunn’s Best Work

The fight sequence is Gunn at his best. Though Superman is the most score-heavy of the filmmaker’s superhero films, Mister Terrific’s takedown is set to folk group Noah and the Whale’s “Five Years Time”. The needledrop adds the perfect dose of cheeky humor with the upbeat, sunny song contrasting the violence taking place in the scene. Furthermore, most of the action is seen from inside the forcefield with Lois, providing an immersive, 360-degree perspective of the fight that allows the audience to experience the fight just like she is. Even though the scene combines two of Gunn’s signature as a filmmaker — a massive fight scene from an unconventional POV and an ironic needledrop — the sequence still feels fresh and is massively entertaining, whether one is familiar with Gunn’s previous work or not.

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Narratively, the beach fight scene serves a fun breather between the heavier sequence of Superman suffering from Kryptonite exposure in Lex’s prison. It’s one of the darkest plot points in the movie — Metamorpho is being coerced to conjure and expose Superman to Kryptonite lest something happens to his baby son. Lex then murders an innocent civilian, street food vendor Malik Ali, when interrogating Superman for details about his origin and identity. The fight scene helps us restore some much needed hope when Mister Terrific and Lois arrive at Fort Kramer, plus is sets up that will Terrific will become one of Superman’s most important allies by the film’s end.

Superman releases on digital August 15th. Tell us what your favorite fight scene from the movie was in the comments!

The post You Can Now Watch Superman’s Best Fight Sequence Without Buying a Ticket appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Peacemaker has officially crossed over into the DC Universe. While the first season of The Suicide Squad spin-off series took place in the old DC Extended Universe, season 2 is set in the new DCU, which so far includes Creature Commandos and Superman. Linking the three projects is Frank Grillo’s General Rick Flag Sr., who defended the “naive, but well-intentioned” Superman (David Corenswet) after the Man of Steel intervened to stop a war between Boravia and Jarhanpur in the James Gunn-directed movie.

Before it was revealed that LuthorCorp CEO Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) manufactured the war as an excuse to kill his alien archnemesis with the support of the US government, Flag arrested Superman and outsourced his confinement to PlanetWatch, Luthor’s Department of Defense-backed answer to “otherworldly threats.”

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Superman was imprisoned in a pocket universe that Luthor created by replicating the Big Bang, but Luthor’s specialty “reckless science” — as the genius Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) put it — resulted in a rift between universal fabrics that nearly destroyed the planet. And like Luthor, who was able to access his pocket universe from multiple dimensional portals he set up across the globe, Peacemaker (John Cena) has access to a Quantum Unfolding Chamber (or the QUC for short).

“We need to find Peacemaker,” General Flag is seen telling DoD officials in the red-band trailer for Peacemaker season 2. “And like Lex Luthor, he’s in possession of some kind of dimensional portal.” Presumably, some insider information comes from Luthor henchmen Otis Berg (Terence Rosemore) and Sydney Happersen (Stephen Blackehart), who can be spotted as Flag addresses Secretary of Defense General Mori (James Hiroyuki Liao) — yet another character from Superman — in the same room where Luthor pitched PlanetWatch.

Otis and Sydney were among the technicians who input battle commands for Luthor’s Superman clone, Ultraman, from the command center in LuthorCorp, and the pair later unleashed the baby kaiju that grew into a giant kaiju overnight and attacked Metropolis. But Sydney, at least, offered to help Mr. Terrific shut down and close the rift threatening to destroy reality… only to be shoved aside by “goddamn Mr. Terrific!” Are we to believe that two of Luthor’s key subordinates were freed after their part in almost destroying Earth? Was Luthor alone blamed?

“I developed it along the way, in conjunction with the other DC projects that we’re doing, so it’s very much connected to Superman and it’s very much connected to what comes after,” Gunn previously told EW of Peacemaker season 2. “I had a rough idea of what I was going to do, but it was actually quite different than what the show ended up being.”

Besides Rick Flag Sr. and appearances by the Justice Gang’s Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), the Guy Gardner Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), and their billionaire backer, tech mogul Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), the new season revolves around the QUC technology seen in both Peacemaker and Superman. “You’ve seen what we call the QUC, the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, in the first season of Peacemaker, and we see more about that technology in Superman,” Gunn noted.”The QUC is the center of the story in Peacemaker season 2.”

Gunn continued, “We see a lot of different characters from Superman in the [season] — Isabela and Nathan and Sean — and then we see a bunch of other characters later on in the season from other parts of the DCU and from Superman. There might even be one really, really, really big cameo near the end of the show.”

Superman is available to own digitally on August 15. Peacemaker season 2 — starring returning cast members John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick, with series newcomers Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez, and Tim Meadows — premieres August 21 on HBO Max.

The post 2 More Superman Characters Confirmed To Return In Peacemaker (Raising a Major Question) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Warning: Spoilers for James Gunn’s Superman follow. The new red band trailer for DC Studios’ Peacemaker season 2 showcases the next adventure of John Cena’s Christopher Smith, with the trailer also establishing a major connection between the show and James Gunn’s introductory DCU movie Superman.

The trailer includes a scene of Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) emphatically stating that “We need to find Peacemaker. And like Lex Luthor, he’s in possession of some kind of dimension portal”. With this one line, Peacemaker season 2 establishes a direct link to the pocket universe created by Lex Luthor (Nichols Hoult) seen in Superman. Logged in YouTube users can view the new Peacemaker trailer here (it’s understandably age restricted for violence, language, and nudity, which gives you some indication of the tone of the show).

The pocket universe is introduced an interdimensional prison in which Lex Luthor houses his most sworn enemies. After Luthor manages to sway public opinion against Superman (David Corenswet) by unveiling a message from Kal-El’s Kryptonian parents revealing he was sent to conquer Earth, Luthor gets the approval from the U.S. government to imprison and interrogate the Man of Steel in the pocket universe. Superman manages to escape the pocket universe, but Luthor’s efforts to re-capture Superman create a rift in the pocket universe’s portal, causing it split open uncontrollably through the streets of Metropolis.

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Fortunately, Superman manages to stop Luthor’s plot with Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) shutting the doorway to the pocket universe. However, given the significant destruction that the pocket universe’s rift caused, it makes sense that Rick Flag Sr. and the U.S. government would be extremely wary of Peacemaker having his own key to open doorways in the multiverse. This not only sets up Peacemaker season 2 as a rather direct continuation of Superman‘s plot line, but also builds upon the role of the multiverse in the story.

Peacemaker season 1 served as a spin-off of Gunn’s 2021 film The Suicide Squad, with both the movie and the show taking place in the DCEU. With Peacemaker season 2 occupying the new DCU, the show’s second season is set to be quite multiverse-centered story, with an alternate Peacemaker already seen in the show’s first trailer, and the trailer referencing the existence of alternate realities. Peacemaker season 2 will also reportedly address the Justice League’s cameo in season 1, with the show explaining how and why that element is canon only to the DCEU and the not DCU.

Peacemaker season 2’s multiverse-traveling fun doesn’t stop there either, with the show reportedly set to establish that a minimum of 100 parallel DC universes co-exist, including one such universe populated by giant spiders with human skulls for heads (as seen in the first trailer). Additionally, Gunn has also teased a plethora of cameos for Peacemaker season 2, and the direct link the show’s red band trailer establishes to Superman makes it a good bet that the Last Son of Krypton could be flying in to prevent another pocket universe from cause another rift in reality.

While Superman‘s use of Lex Luthor’s pocket universe kept that plot element relatively centralized within the movie’s story, it is clear that Peacemaker season 2 will throw open doors to other realities much more gleefully than Superman did. What that means for the DCU’s upcoming future is open to endless speculation. Nonetheless, Peacemaker season 2 sharing a plot element with Superman in the role of pocket universes could indicate that it could be a fairly significant element of the DCU as it moves ahead.

The first episode of Peacemaker season 2 will be released on HBO Max on August 21st.

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Superman is coming to home media faster than a speeding bullet, but there’s a good reason why. In an interview with Screen Rant to promote the upcoming Peacemaker Season 2, Superman director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn explained the surprising decision to release Superman on PVOD later this month. Though the filmmaker is always in favor of a long theatrical window, he also wanted to ensure everyone had an opportunity to watch Superman before Peacemaker Season 2 debuts on HBO Max. Initially, Gunn thought Peacemaker would return in September, but changes to the schedule forced DC Studios to send Superman to homes earlier than anticipated.

“Well, it’s very complicated, but the truth is it is because of Peacemaker,” Gunn said. “I originally thought Peacemaker was going to be coming out next month. There was a lot of things that are beyond our control, so that Peacemaker is coming out now, and, at the end of the day, I wanted everyone to be able to see Superman that wanted to, even those people who couldn’t get to a theater before Peacemaker. And that’s really the reason for it.”

Gunn has previously described Peacemaker Season 2, which premieres on August 21st, as the “direct follow-up” to Superman. Peacemaker is set to feature appearances from characters who were in Superman, such as the Justice Gang. During a panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July, Gunn teased that other Superman characters could have a role on Peacemaker.

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It was recently announced that Superman will be available on PVOD platforms such as Apple, Amazon, and Fandango on August 15th — a little over a month after the film debuted in theaters. Physical copies are set to release on September 23rd. Superman is one of the biggest box office hits of the year so far, having earned $583.1 million worldwide as of this writing, so many were surprised to see it hit home media so soon.

After exceeding box office expectations with a $125 million domestic debut, Superman has had strong legs throughout its box office run. It dropped only 53.2% in its second weekend, a great hold for a franchise blockbuster. Since the film is still making money in theaters, an argument can be made that DC Studios should have held off releasing Superman on digital. However, Gunn’s reasoning for the decision makes sense. As the next chapter of the DC Universe, Peacemaker Season 2 is connected to Superman; the movie shouldn’t be homework to enjoy and/or understand the show, but it’s nice that people have the option to watch both at home so they can get the full scope if they want.

With Superman about to hit PVOD, its box office numbers will probably take a hit in the coming weekends. But that shouldn’t negatively impact the film; it’s already considered a commercial success, getting the DCU off on the right foot. Though Superman didn’t fare as well internationally, it’s still the highest-grossing comic book adaptation of the year and the highest-grossing Superman film of all time in the United States. Gunn is already working on the next chapter of his Superman saga, so everyone is happy with how the movie performed. Whatever sales it makes from digital rentals and purchases will only complement the box office numbers.

The post Superman’s Short Theatrical Window is Peacemaker’s Fault (& It Makes Sense) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Though the DCU Superman’s theatrical run is winding down, according to James Gunn, he may be soaring back onto screens before we know it. The Superman writer/director and co-chair of DC Studios teased when we’ll get the next installment of the hero’s story tonight on the Peacemaker Season 2 red carpet, which premieres on HBO MAX August 21st. Though Gunn was there to support the show, which he serves as creator, showrunner, and director on, the filmmaker wasn’t shy about what’s next for Superman.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn revealed his hopes to head back into production: “I’ve already finished the treatment for the next story in what I’ll call the Superman saga,” Gunn told THR. “And I’m working on that, and hopefully going into production on that, not too, too far away from today.”

Previously, Gunn has shared that his next DCU film wouldn’t be a “direct sequel” to this summer’s smash hit, and his boss, Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslov’s comments on a recent earnings call that Gunn’s “next movie [is] in the Super-Family”. Having both heavy hitters at Warner Brothers/DC being so open with the public about what’s next for the fledgling DCU is a good sign — not only does it demonstrate that the leadership is in lock-step with each other — but it could also point to optimism about how next year’s Supergirl movie will perform when it releases in June 2026.

Gunn told THR that his treatment for the next “Superman saga” film us “very, very worked out.” A treatment is essentially a detailed overview of a movie’s story in prose form that most writers work on before they go into writing the actual script for a film. And while Gunn alluded that he’d be going into production in the near-ish future, we’re likely still looking a few months of writing on Gunn’s end before cameras can roll and David Corenswet will don those iconic blue tights once more.

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It seems inevitable from both Gunn and Zaslov’s comments his new film will involve some form of a team-up between Superman and his wily cousin Kara Zor-El. That has us excited for a slew of reasons. Not only was their banter at the end of Superman hilarious and revealed a much different dynamic between the hero and Kara than Superman has with other metahumans, it also signals that Gunn doesn’t plan to overwhelm audiences with too many new characters to keep up with in the DCU to start.

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Gunn’s focus on fleshing out the pillars of the his new cinematic universe in solo films and then seemingly immediately pairing them together will cement a sturdy foundation for the DCU. Sure, Clayface and the Lanterns series are set to debut next year alongside Supergirl and there are plenty of other projects around other characters from the DC canon in development, but going narrow and deep on the Super-Family eschews Marvel’s previous missteps of introducing so many new characters across their films and Disney+ series that audiences could no longer be casual viewers of the MCU. Nor will they need to watch multiple origin films as Marvel did in Phase One before The Avengers.

Some may not agree with Gunn’s narrow and deep approach to the DCU and the characters spotlighted within it, but given Superman‘s $583 million global box office gross, and certified fresh rating, it’s clear he’s doing something right.

Superman releases on VOD August 15th.

The post James Gunn Reveals That DCU’s Next “Superman Saga” Project Is Coming Sooner Than Fans Think appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn’s Superman movie introduces a legion of characters to the rebooted DC Universe. Besides the new Man of Steel (David Corenswet), there’s intrepid Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), archvillain Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), and super-foes like the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) of the Authority and imperfect Superman clone Ultraman (Corenswet in a dual role). There’s also the Justice Gang, a metahuman team that includes Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), the Guy Gardner Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), a standout who is reportedly up for his own spinoff as is Superman’s pal Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo).

But the first Superman spinoff has already arrived, and it features the best bad boy in the universe: Krypto the Superdog, the cape-clad super-pet of Supergirl (Milly Alcock) who is left in the care of her Kryptonian cousin in the film.

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In Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle — a five-minute animated short included on the Superman special features on the digital, 4K, and Blu-ray versions — the flying dog gets himself in trouble pursuing a pigeon, only to fetch a school bus teetering precariously over the edge of a bridge.

You can watch the first animated Krypto short film in its entirety on YouTube, courtesy of Fandango:

Written and directed by Ryan Kramer (Looney Tunes Cartoons) and produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios, the star of the short is “definitely the Krypto you fall in love with in Superman,” Safran previously told ComicBook. “He’s a terrible dog.”

“We’ve got these cool little Krypto shorts that are so fun, man. I’ve been watching all of them,” added Gunn, who based Krypto on his rescue dog, Ozu. “He’s a terrible, terrible dog. It’s for families and it’s just really fun and goofy. It’s pretty cool.”

Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle will be included on the digital and home media releases, which also feature an hour-long Superman documentary, featurettes exploring Superman’s legacy, villain Lex Luthor, The Daily Planet staff, and the Justice Gang, plus a look at how animators brought the CG-animated dog to life in the special feature “Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born.” (A director’s commentary with Gunn, gag reel, and deleted scenes will be exclusive to the digital version.)

DC Studios’ Superman is available to own on digital on August 15, and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 23.

The post New Superman Spinoff Starring the Best Character Released Online appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2025’s Superman has kicked off James Gunn’s DC Universe in style, and hopefully settled an old debate about The Last Son of Krypton. Gunn’s movie is classic Supes – hopeful, heartfelt, and full of pure heroism. It’s a very different approach from the Man of Steel portrayed by Henry Cavill in Zack Snyder’s DC movies, which took the character in a darker direction. That’s not to knock it, as Cavill’s Superman was very good, but Gunn and David Corenswet’s version is exactly what was needed to reboot the franchise now, and that does mean running counter to what came before.

That goes for several fundamental aspects of the character, right down to the costume. The new Superman suit is much more traditional in its color and design, like something lifted off the page of a comic book (which could be said for much of the movie). And, yes, that includes the trunks. Whether the Big Blue Boy Scout’s big red underwear should be on the outside or not has been a debate long before Cavill or Corenswet came anywhere near the costume, but Gunn’s movie is a resounding yes for that. And if more proof were needed, it’s in the version of the Superman costume without trunks.

Obviously, a behind-the-scenes photo isn’t the exact same as the finished product in a movie, which would’ve had many more details added, but the image still makes a compelling case for why the red trunks should always be visible. In the case of Corenswet’s suit, it looks oh-so-very wrong without them (and a little too much like Superman is in his pyjamas). They might’ve changed things up had they decided to go down the “no trunks” route, but it’s hard to imagine it being an improvement over the costume we got in the end.

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The costume in Gunn’s movie is a superb Superman suit. Notably, Cavill’s version didn’t go for trunks. This was slightly less of an issue with its darker color scheme and more sculpted design, but the unbrokenness of the blue is still jarring to the eyes even then. When you have something more akin to the one in the 2025 movie, or other traditional takes on the costume, it looks even worse. The red is needed to break it up, and add another pop of color; the combined visual elements make the whole, er, package more aesthetically appealing.

The argument against the trunks is that they’re silly, and no good reason exists for Superman wearing them on the outside. That’s understandable, especially as we’ve got further away from the origin – they were initially inspired by circus strongmen, which is a harder argument to make in 2025 than it was 1938. But that’s still part of the point: this is a Superman movie unafraid to be a little silly; it wholly embraces the comic book weirdness of it all, and the trunks come with it.

They make the character stand out. The juxtaposition of Superman is that he’s the best of us, and not like us at all. His costume needs to immediately convey a sense of wonder that should come with such a being, without striking fear into ordinary people. The trunks, even if they might be considered silly, are a part of that. And, based on the image of Corenswet at least, it looks much more ridiculous without them, shattering the illusion.

For Superman to be a success, Gunn needed to capture the essence of the character – and, yes, the trunks are a part of that. If you close your eyes and try to picture Superman, whether it’s movies or comics, the imagery will have red trunks. They are every bit a part of his design as the red cape and the symbol on his chest. Superman should always have trunks, it shouldn’t have been a debate before 2025’s movie, and it certainly shouldn’t be one after seeing the alternative.

Superman is currently playing in theaters, and will be released on VoD on August 15th.

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Thanks to his scene-stealing antics, Krypto quickly became a fan favorite in James Gunn’s Superman. Taking full advantage of the adorable canine’s role in the film, PetSmart and Sassy Woof have launched their own collections of Superman-related dog products just in time for National Dog Day (which takes place on Tuesday, August 26th). DC fans looking to celebrate the occasion with their furry companions can now shop from a wide selection of items that includes everything from pup attire to harnesses for walks. PetSmart is home to the Pets + People Superman collection, while Sassy Woof has the Superman pet collection.

At PetSmart, fans can find the following items:

• Rubie’s Superman Pet Costume Cape (available in 5 sizes)
• Superman DC Comics Flying Logo T-Shirt For Dogs (available in 5 sizes)
• DC Comics Superman Plush Toy 9″
• DC Comics Superman Plush Symbol Dog Toy 8″
• DC Comics Superman Plush Dog Rope
• DC Comics Superman Crinkle Comic Book Toy 10″
• Buckle-Down Superman Dog Collar and Leash Set (available in 3 sizes and 2 colors)
• Sassy Woof Superman Waste Bag Holder
• Sassy Woof Superman Dog Leash: 5-ft long
• Sassy Woof Superman Dog Collar (available in 4 sizes)
• Sassy Woof Superman Dog Harness (available in 6 sizes)
• Rubie’s Pet Shop Halloween Superman Dog and Cat Costume (available in 4 sizes)
• Rubie’s Pet Shop Halloween Cuddly Superman Dog Costume
• DC Comics Krypto the Superdog Push Toy 7.5″

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If you’re shopping at Sassy Woof, you can get the following items either as a bundle or individually. The collar and harness are available in the same multiple sizes as PetSmart:

• Sassy Woof Superman Waste Bag Holder
• Sassy Woof Superman Dog Leash
• Sassy Woof Superman Dog Collar
• Sassy Woof Superman Dog Harness

Superman‘s Krypto Has a Personal Connection to James Gunn

Anyone who’s seen Superman knows Krypto isn’t necessarily the most-behaved dog out there. There’s a good reason for that. When writing the Superman script, Gunn drew from his own experiences with Ozu, a rescue dog he adopted. During a special look at Superman that aired during the Puppy Bowl earlier this year, Gunn shared that Ozu was the inspiration for Krypto. When Ozu first arrived at the Gunn household, he was “problematic to say the least” as he destroyed furniture, shoes, and even Gunn’s laptop.

As Gunn was going through these growing pains with Ozu, he thought to himself, “Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?” This paved the way for Krypto to become part of Superman and, in Gunn’s words, “change the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life.”

Sadly, Krypto’s super powers make it impossible for him to have human friends (Gunn says Krypto could tear other people up — even accidentally). But Ozu and all the other real-world dogs can channel their inner Krypto this National Dog Day with these fun products.

The post DC Launches New Superman and Krypto Products Ahead of National Dog Day appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Anyone who’s seen Superman knows Krypto is no ordinary canine. Just like Kal-El and Kara Zor-El, he possesses incredible powers and abilities that make him nearly invulnerable and super-strong on Earth. Unfortunately, there is an upsetting downside to these gifts. On Threads, a fan asked Superman director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn how Clark Kent would introduce Krypto to other people he meets (the dog’s name is a giveaway that Clark isn’t really from Earth). In his response, Gunn sadly shared that Krypto isn’t allowed to just meet normal people because of his uncontrollable nature.

“Our Krypto can’t meet people like that because he might tear them apart,” Gunn wrote, punctuating his response with a sad face emoji.

Due to his cute appearance, Krypto was a key part of the Superman marketing campaign, appearing in the film’s first teaser trailer that debuted late last year. Gunn’s film marks the first time the character was adapted in a live-action film. In Superman, Krypto isn’t just a cuddly pet; he aids Kal-El in combat and does his best to defend the Fortress of Solitude when Lex Luthor and associates arrive. Though Krypto takes part in plenty of action, Gunn had to cut a scene where Ultraman punches the dog, as that part upset test audiences too much.

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At the end of Superman, it’s revealed the dog actually belongs to Kara Zor-El. She left him on Earth so Kal-El could watch him while she partied on another planet. That short sequence seemingly sets up a role for Krypto in the upcoming film Supergirl, which will premiere next summer.

When Gunn says Krypto could “tear [people] apart,” he doesn’t necessarily mean maliciously. Krypto is a very excitable dog. In Superman‘s opening scene, he happily dives on top of Superman, unknowingly causing the hero to feel more pain. There’s no telling what he could do even if he met someone Clark Kent considers a friend. If Krypto had the zoomies when saying hello to a friendly face, he might seriously injure that person. He probably doesn’t understand that not everyone is built like Superman and Supergirl, so to keep everyone safe, he just resides in the Fortress of Solitude, far away from normal humans.

This is a sad reveal because even though Krypto is a bit of a troublemaker, he’s still a good boy and deserves love and companionship from everyone — just like any other dog. Perhaps with a bit of training, he could become more disciplined and be able to live in everyday society. It’ll be interesting to see how his character develops over the course of the DC Universe. The hard-partying Supergirl may not be the one to get Krypto to tone down his tendencies, but maybe if he crosses paths with Superman again in Gunn’s next DC film, Kal-El can figure something out.

The post James Gunn Reveals a Depressing Fact About Superman’s Dog Krypto appeared first on ComicBook.com.

After years of critical and commercial disappointments, Warner Bros. Discovery has finally committed to a clear vision for its most valuable intellectual property. The formation of DC Studios, led by co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, marked a pivotal moment for the brand, promising a unified and creatively coherent cinematic universe designed to rival the industry’s reigning champion, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first chapter of this ambitious new era, Gunn’s own Superman, has already been released to widespread critical acclaim, signaling a powerful new direction. Furthermore, in an unexpected but decisive victory, the film is also poised to become the biggest superhero movie of 2025, giving DC Studios a monumental win over Marvel for the first time in years and proving their new approach can deliver blockbuster results.

The question that hangs over Superman‘s initial triumph is whether it represents a momentary shift or the beginning of a genuine paradigm change. For over a decade, the MCU has been the undisputed king of the box office, an unstoppable cultural and financial juggernaut that seemed untouchable. However, with Superman outperforming Marvel’s entire 2025 slate, DC has drawn first blood in this new phase of the superhero box office war. This victory provides the new DCU with a stable foundation built on both quality and commercial appeal, something its predecessor, the DC Extended Universe, never truly achieved. Now, with a clear roadmap and a proven hit, the industry is watching to see if the DCU has what it takes to not just compete with the MCU, but to one day surpass it.

The MCU Has Been Struggling

To understand the magnitude of DC’s current opportunity, it is essential to first acknowledge the unprecedented success of the MCU. The Infinity Saga, spanning 23 films across three phases, was a masterclass in long-form storytelling and brand building, culminating in the world-conquering success of Avengers: Endgame. Phase 3 alone grossed over $11 billion worldwide, cementing the MCU as the most successful film franchise in history. By then, Marvel Studios seemed incapable of missing, turning obscure characters into household names, and consistently delivering billion-dollar blockbusters. That golden era, however, has definitively ended.

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In the years following Endgame, the MCU has suffered from a noticeable decline in both quality and commercial performance. For starters, the once-lauded sense of interconnectivity that made every entry feel essential has given way to a scattered and unfocused narrative. As a result, Phase 4, while still financially successful with a gross of over $5.8 billion, was widely criticized for its lack of a clear overarching direction. This downward trend accelerated dramatically in Phase 5, which concluded as the lowest-grossing phase in the MCU’s history, earning a combined total of approximately $3.66 billion. This figure is shockingly lower than the $3.81 billion earned by the six films of Phase 1 over a decade ago, illustrating a significant regression in audience engagement.

This financial downturn is a direct reflection of a series of creative misfires. Films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (47% on Rotten Tomatoes) and The Marvels (54% on Rotten Tomatoes) were met with poor reviews and disappointing box office returns, with The Marvels becoming the MCU’s biggest commercial bomb. Even critically successful entries like Thunderbolts* failed to connect with audiences, earning just $382 million worldwide. Marvel Studios’ latest release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, was once more unable to translate good reviews into box office profitability. This pattern of diminishing returns suggests a deeper problem beyond simple “superhero fatigue.” The studio’s post-Endgame strategy, characterized by oversaturation and a perceived drop in quality control, has eroded the fan trust that was once its greatest asset.

The MCU Is Bringing Out the Big Guns (But Is That Enough?)

In response to its recent struggles, Marvel Studios is course-correcting by narrowing its focus and betting big on its most reliable properties. The studio has scaled back its release schedule, with only three films currently slated for 2026 and 2027 combined, all of them heavy hitters. Spider-Man: Brand New Day builds upon the massive success of Tom Holland’s hero, whose last two films earned a combined $3 billion, by injecting a major crossover appeal. The confirmed appearances of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk promise a fresh street-level dynamic, helping connect Spider-Man to other MCU properties.

Beyond that, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars represent the studio’s ultimate financial safety net. The Avengers brand is one of the most dominant in Hollywood, and the return of Robert Downey Jr. will position these movies as unmissable saga-defining events for a global audience. Finally, Marvel Studios has unprecedented control of its most successful characters, as the X-Men and the Fantastic Four are soon joining the Scared Timeline to boost the MCU’s popularity. That, summed with the MCU’s soft-reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars, could give the studio the clean slate it so desperately needs.

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This slate, however, cannot hide the troubling reality that Marvel has failed to fix its systemic production issues. The studio continues to value release dates over creative readiness, a problem illustrated by the development of Avengers: Doomsday. While the movie is deep into filming, the script has not been finished yet, and key actors don’t even know how many more scenes they must shoot before production wraps. This choice repeats the exact patchwork strategy that led to extensive reshoots on previous films such as Captain America: Brave New World.

Constant script rewrites during production inevitably lead to massive reshoots that cause budgets to spiral out of control. Unsurprisingly, when a film’s budget inflates from a planned $200 million to over $270 million, as it did for The Marvels, the path to profitability becomes incredibly narrow. The break-even point for these blockbusters can easily exceed $600 million worldwide, transforming what should be successful theatrical runs into financial disappointments. This costly method is the polar opposite of the writer-focused and financially varied approach being implemented by DC Studios, giving the DCU a clear advantage in the next couple of years.

The DCU’s Production Philosophy Is Its Biggest Strength

Under Gunn and Safran, DC Studios has established a writer-centric model, ensuring that every project is built upon a solid narrative foundation before heading into production. In other words, DC Studios only puts a movie in the calendar once the story is great, while Marvel Studios tries to figure out the story of movies that have already been scheduled for release. This commitment to script quality was evident in Superman, whose critical and commercial success was driven by strong character work and an emotionally resonant plot. In short, by prioritizing the creative vision from the outset, DC is fostering an environment that is more likely to produce high-quality films that connect with audiences on a deeper level.

Furthermore, the DCU is being built on a far more sustainable financial model. As Gunn underlined, not every film will be a world-ending epic with a quarter-billion-dollar budget. Instead, the studio is developing a varied slate of projects with a wide range of budgets, tailored to the scale and appeal of each character. For instance, the upcoming Clayface film is reportedly being produced as a smaller-scale horror story with a budget of around $40 million. A film like this does not need to gross a billion dollars to be a resounding success, and even a modest box office take of $200 million would make it wildly profitable, generating significant revenue that can then be used by DC Studios to fund larger tentpole events.

This tiered financial strategy lowers the immense pressure on each release and provides greater creative freedom. It allows DC to take risks on unconventional characters and genre-specific stories without betting the entire studio on their success. While the MCU is still operating on an outdated model where every film must be a global phenomenon, the DCU is building a healthier and more resilient ecosystem. In the end, that could lead the DCU to become more relevant in the long term. The MCU may win the next few box office rounds with its heavy hitters, but the DCU is playing a longer, smarter game.

Do you think the DCU’s new strategy is enough to eventually overtake the MCU? Join the discussion in the comments!

The post Can the DCU Ever Surpass the MCU? appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman and Batman are the world’s finest heroes, but they’re worlds apart. Where the Man of Steel is a shining beacon of hope for humanity, the Dark Knight cloaks himself in shadow as a creature of the night. And while the costumed crusaders share a common goal as they fight crime on the side of justice, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne’s methods are as different as day and night: Superman presents himself as a friend, but Batman wants to strike terror into the hearts of criminals.

Writer-director James Gunn had that in mind when deciding whether David Corenswet’s Superman should wear the red trunks on the outside of his costume, something that the actor advocated for in costume fittings documented in Adventures in Making Superman.

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“The thought that I always had was what you said: Superman needs to be huggable,” the costume-clad star is seen telling Gunn in the hour-long featurette, which is included on the film’s digital release. “And there is something about this [suit] that’s disarming.”

“Even with Batman, if I was doing Batman, I’d get into it,” Gunn says. “Like, Batman is a f—ing maniac. He puts on a scary bat costume and goes out and tries to scare people.”

Corenswet likened Superman’s trunks-on-the-outside look to high visibility gear while wearing a proto-version of the suit (sans trunks). “‘Everybody knows that I’m here, I’m public safety,'” he says. “‘I’m making myself the target.’ Even going to the shorts and the belt feels more like a high-vis uniform.”

After some back and forth, Corenswet convinced Gunn that this Superman would wear trunks because they “look kind of silly,” the actor previously told Fandango.

“You were looking for a way to make them look cool, or you were looking for a function, an explanation to justify having them, and my thing was, ‘Maybe they’re supposed to look a little silly?'” Corenswet recalled telling Gunn in a joint interview. “Maybe the reason he wears them is to look a little silly. Basically, to undermine how powerful he really is.”

“Everyone knows he’s an alien. He shoots beam out of his eyes, he can blow things down with his breath. He’s sort of this terrifying creature,” Gunn added. “And David saying, ‘But he really likes kids, and human beings, and people. He wants kids to not be afraid of him.’ And so that was the thing that made me decide to keep the trunks.”

DC Studios’ Superman is available digitally at home on digital retailers starting August 15, and comes home on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 23.

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Watch Superman Director James Gunn and Actor David Corenswet Spar Over Climactic Scene

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Since Superman doesn’t feature an origin story, it wastes no time dropping the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) into the middle of the action. The Hammer of Boravia is threatening the people of Metropolis, and it’s up to the titular hero to save the day. Of course, the villain isn’t working alone, as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) is pulling the strings in an attempt to ruin Superman’s reputation. The Kryptonian doesn’t appreciate the attacks on his character, especially because his friends on the Justice Gang take Luthor’s word for it. The situation is nearly too much for Superman to handle, and it could’ve been worse if director James Gunn had shown all his cards.

With the release of Superman on digital closing in, Warner Bros. has released the Adventures in the Making of Superman documentary, which features plenty of behind-the-scenes nuggets, including a passionate conversation between Gunn and Corenswet about the “being human” speech. The now-iconic scene features the Man of Steel pouring his heart out to Luthor, who believes the hero doesn’t understand what it really means to be human. Well, the villain should have saved his remarks for another alien that may have been part of Superman‘s script at one point.

Adventures in the Making of Superman goes as far back in the filmmaking process as possible, even showing off storyboards that reveal what the film looked like on paper. The art that stands out the most features Superman, Krypto, and Supergirl flying into the air, but something sinister lurks in the panel below them. All that’s visible is a lone figure with strange marks on their head, and based on the squiggling lines above them, they appear to be using a power of some kind, one that uses a lot of brain power.

Of course, the drawing bears some resemblance to the iconic DC villain Brainiac, who has yet to appear in a live-action Superman movie. Gunn didn’t discuss whether he considered bringing the villain from Colu into the DC Universe in Superman, but that storyboard certainly tells a story. Fortunately, there will be more opportunities for Brainiac to terrorize the Man of Steel on the big screen.

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James Gunn May Be Saving Brainiac for Another Time

While a direct sequel to Superman has yet to be announced, Corenswet’s hero isn’t going to sit on the sidelines for long. Gunn has confirmed that he will return sooner rather than later, and with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealing that his favorite director is already hard at work on another script that he plans to direct, all signs are pointing to a big project dropping in the next couple of years. The prevailing theory is that Gunn will bring Superman and Supergirl together to fight a massive threat, and Brainiac certainly fits that description.

It may be that Gunn planned to tease Brainiac at the end of his first DCU movie, but it just didn’t work out. That could be for the best, though, because the smartest being in the universe deserves a better introduction than a quick tease at the end of a Luthor-focused story.

Superman hits digital on August 15.

Would you have liked to have seen Brainiac in Superman? Do you hope James Gunn still finds a way to incorporate him into the DCU? Let us know in the comments below!

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James Gunn’s Superman is as human as anyone. “I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can,” the Smallville-raised Kryptonian (David Corenswet) tells his anti-alien archnemesis Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) in the film’s climax. “I screw up all the time. But that’s being human, and that’s my greatest strength.” The heated exchange between Superman and Luthor is a response to the villain exposing a translated message from Kal-El’s birth parents, in which Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara (Angela Sarafyan) tell the Last Son of Krypton his purpose is to rule his adopted home planet Earth.

At first despondent over the message, Superman is reinvigorated after an emotional heart-to-heart with his adoptive father, Jonathan “Pa” Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince), during a visit to Smallville. “Your choices, your actions,” a mushy Pa reminds his son, “that’s what makes you who you are.”

In the behind-the-scenes documentary Adventures in the Making of Superman included on the film’s home release (available digitally Aug. 15), a refreshingly candid Gunn and Corenswet recall a quarrel over Superman‘s climactic “being human” scene.

“This speech, if it works, the movie works. If this speech doesn’t work, we’re going to have a problem with the ending of our film,” Gunn says in the special feature interspersed with on-set footage. “David comes in, he gives the speech, and is really good. I’m like, ‘Thank God.’ I’m so happy this is going to work. I said, ‘David, do one louder, more intense.’ David comes in and he does it, and it’s even better. I said, ‘Let’s do it again. Just give me another one like that.'”

But by the third take, the costume-clad Corenswet paused mid-sentence. “We start to film it, and then all of a sudden, David stops,” Gunn says, prefacing the anecdote by saying, “I love David. [He’s] one of my favorite actors I’ve ever worked with. He is wonderful. He also questions everything.”

Corenswet, a Juilliard trained actor, admits he can “piss people off” by “talking about text and what each word means and what each punctuation mark means.”

“What I need is, I need it to make sense. I need to know what I’m trying to do,” Corenswet explains. “So James is saying, ‘No, no, it’s more emotional.'” The actor recounted “yelling back” at Gunn over in the video village, “‘I feel that this isn’t giving the intensity at the level you want, to go low. I feel weak with me yelling at [Luthor].'”

In response, Gunn says into a microphone, “It’s a moment of you acknowledging your own weakness, your own hurt feelings, so that everyone who hears Superman knows that that’s okay for all of us to feel that way, and it’s not okay for the Lex Luthors of the world to be telling us, ‘We shouldn’t feel this way, we shouldn’t do that, we shouldn’t think this.’ That is what makes you different from the other heroes.”

“I was saying, ‘You want it to be emotional, but I don’t understand why,'” Corenswet recalls. He asked Gunn, “‘Don’t I feel better now that I’ve heard that thing, that really important moment that happened earlier with my adopted father? Didn’t that make it better? Didn’t that make me immune to this? Isn’t that the whole point?'”

Gunn, still in video village, listens as Corenswet talks through his reasoning. “Now I know that Pa Kent gave me what I need. If [Luthor] says, ‘You’re an alien,’ that doesn’t do what it did to me before, right?” Corenswet remarks from off-screen. To that, Gunn says, “I think it’s not a magic bullet. Pa Kent told you that you are who you are, that’s what makes you human.”

“We’re doing this in front of everybody,” Gunn remembers in the documentary. “He starts saying, ‘I just, I don’t know if I feel this.'” Corenswet then recalls walking off set to talk to the director in footage captured by the documentary.

“He came in and came off set, and we get into this thing,” Gunn says in the confessional. In the clip, Corenswet passionately argues his case, reasoning that having Superman yell his line to Luthor about being human means he’s “trying to prove it still.” As Gunn listens intently, the actor asks whether Superman was wrong to feel “like s–t” about himself in light of the message.

“That’s exactly where the issue is, right? Because what [Pa] didn’t tell you is that it was wrong to feel that way. There are feelings and there are thoughts. Your feelings about feeling bad are okay,” Gunn says emphatically. “It’s not wrong for you to feel that way. You should just, it’s not right or wrong anything — none of it is right or wrong — but all of it is being vulnerable and being a human being. And in this moment, for you to talk about how it’s okay to be vulnerable, you have to be vulnerable. Which means showing Lex that your f—ing feelings are hurt.”

With that, it clicks into place, and Corenswet’s Superman marches back to set and locks in. “The sentence that James said to me at the end of that conversation perfectly clarified what the character was doing in that moment and what I should be doing in that moment,” Corenswet says.

“I just remember hitting his chest, is what I remember,” Gunn laughs now. “Like, ‘You’re feeling this!'” Adds Corenswet, “I went out there, I did it, and it was right.” Gunn grows visibly emotional watching the take that ultimately made it into the finished film.

“I got emotional a second ago because I really do think that what this movie is about is, why do we love Superman so much? Is it because he can punch planets or pick up skyscrapers? I don’t think it is,” Gunn says. “I think it’s because of his innate goodness and his humanity, even though he’s an alien. And it’s okay that he’s being optimistic, it’s okay that he’s vulnerable. That’s what the scene was about.”

“All of the credit goes to James for saying that sentence, and for sticking with me and the conversation long enough to get to that sentence. Because I didn’t make it easy for him,” Corenswet says now. Gunn, who knew he’d found his Superman on day one, points out, “There’s no anger in any of this at all. There’s no ego. There’s a reason why he’s asking these questions, because it makes it better.”

“David wrote me that night, he texted me, he said, ‘That was my favorite day ever on set with a director,'” Gunn continued. “I said, ‘I think that was my favorite day, too.'”

DC Studios’ Superman is available to own August 15 on digital HD.

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James Gunn on Divisive Superman Scene: “I Didn’t Want a Superman Who Was Perfect”

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James Gunn’s Superman starring David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane has been a hit in theaters, but now our attention turns to the home video release. Unfortunately, the limited edition Superman 4K Blu-ray Steelbook with the Fortress of Solidtude slipcase is sold out pretty much everywhere, including here on Amazon and here at Walmart, but you can still get your pre-orders in for the standard 4K, Blu-ray and DVD releases. We’ve just learned that the physical media release date is set for September 23rd, and you’ll be able to watch it on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Fandango at Home, and more on August 15th. Details about the special features can be found below.

Superman 2025 Blu-rays

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Superman Digital, 4K UHD, and Blu-ray contain the following special features:  

• Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle – (5:32)
• Adventures in Making Superman Featurette (60:00)
• Icons Forever: Superman’s Enduring Legacy – Featurette (6:05)
• Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain – Featurette (5:18)
• Kryptunes: The Music of Superman – Featurette (6:31)
• Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born – Featurette (5:54)
• Breaking News: The Daily Planet Returns – Featurette (5:23)
• The Ultimate Villain – Featurette (5:30)
• The Justice Gang – Featurette (10:37)
• A New Era: DC Takes Off – Featurette (4:53)

The following special features will be coming soon to Digital:

• Director’s Commentary with James Gunn
• Gag Reel
• Deleted Scenes

If the new Superman film has you feeling nostalgic for the classic (and best) Superman, we have you covered there as well. To celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Man of Steel, Warner Bros. bundled four classic Christopher Reeve Superman films to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (plus the Richard Donner Cut of Superman II) as part of a 5-film box set.

The set includes Superman: The Movie (1978), Superman II & The Richard Donner Cut (1979-2006), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) on 4K Blu-ray with a digital download code. Currently, you can pick it up  here on Amazon and here at Walmart for $74.99.

Superman 5-Film 4K Blu-ray Collection

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Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman stars David Corenswet as Superman opposite Rachel Brosnahan as reporter Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult appears as the Man of Steel’s archnemesis, Lex Luthor. The first film in the newly rebooted DC Universe also introduces a cast of characters that includes superheroes Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), the Guy Gardner Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and The Authority’s Angela Spica/the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría). 

The post Superman (2025) Digital and 4K Blu-ray Release Dates Revealed appeared first on ComicBook.com.

This summer, the DC Universe franchise had its true coming out party with the release of Superman, DC Studios’ first theatrical feature. Kickstarting a new era of DC Comics adaptations on the big screen, Superman had a lot riding on it and it delivered on all fronts, becoming a well-received box office hit. Now that many fans have gotten a chance to see the film in theaters, they’re probably wondering when they can watch it again from the comfort of home. Fortunately, they don’t have to wait too long. Today, Warner Bros. announced Superman will be available on digital platforms such as Apple and Amazon starting August 15th. The physical release (4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD) follows on September 23rd.

Digital copies of Superman will include commentary from director James Gunn, a gag reel, and deleted scenes as special features. The physical release comes packed with even more supplemental material that explores the making of the film. Check out a list of the features in the space below:

• Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle – (5:32)
• Adventures in Making Superman Featurette (60:00)
• Icons Forever: Superman’s Enduring Legacy – Featurette (6:05)
• Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain – Featurette (5:18)
• Kryptunes: The Music of Superman – Featurette (6:31)
• Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born – Featurette (5:54)
• Breaking News: The Daily Planet Returns – Featurette (5:23)
• The Ultimate Villain – Featurette (5:30)
• The Justice Gang – Featurette (10:37)
• A New Era: DC Takes Off – Featurette (4:53)

Bolstered by positive reviews and strong audience word of mouth, Superman is on track to become the highest-grossing comic book movie of the year. While it hasn’t fared as well in international markets, its domestic performance has been impressive. As of this writing, Superman has earned $331.3 million in the United States, becoming the highest-grossing Superman film of all time domestically (unadjusted for inflation, of course). After exceeding box office expectations, Superman had strong legs, falling only 53.2% in its second weekend.

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With Superman‘s success under its belt, the DC Universe is now off and running. Next year sees the releases of Supergirl and Clayface. Gunn is also busy writing what Warner Bros. Discovery calls “the next movie in the Super-Family,” which will be his follow-up to Superman. Batman and Wonder Woman films set in the DCU are in development. According to reports, DC Studios is targeting 1-2 theatrical releases per year.

Since Superman is still doing pretty well at the box office (it came in sixth this past weekend with $7.9 million) it’s a little surprising to see the home media rollout happening now. It’d be reasonable to assume DC Studios and/or Warner Bros. Discovery would aim to extend the theatrical window to boost profits. Superman will be available on digital a little more than a month after it premiered, which isn’t a very long time. As a comparison, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, which grossed $1 billion worldwide, didn’t hit digital until roughly two months after it opened. Every title is handled differently, however, and Superman quickly hitting home media is indicative of the post-pandemic marketplace, where people are used to seeing new movies on digital and streaming.

It hasn’t been revealed when Superman will be available to stream on HBO Max yet. That announcement likely won’t come for a while. WBD doesn’t want to undercut digital rentals and sales by sharing when people can see Superman for “free” with their HBO Max subscription. Going by the company’s history, Superman will be on the streaming service a few days before the Blu-ray comes out; A Minecraft Movie hit HBO Max on June 20th (four days before the Blu-ray) and Sinners was streaming on July 4th (also four days before the Blu-ray). Superman should follow that pattern.

The post Superman’s Digital Release Date Confirmed (& It’s Surprisingly Soon) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When one buys a ticket to a James Gunn film, you come to expect a few things: mile-a-minute action, a unique blend of tongue-in-cheek humor and genuine heart, and perhaps most famously, a memorable, painstakingly curated soundtrack. Gunn’s needle drops are nearly as iconic as the movies they feature in, so much so that Gunn has catapulted decades-old songs back onto the charts, like he did most recently with the Teddybears and Iggy Pop’s “Punkrocker”.

Since no one can quite execute a needle drop like Gunn, so we’ve compiled the seven times he’s done it best on the big screen:

1) “Come and Get Your Love” – Guardians of the Galaxy

Having Peter Quill blast the Redbone classic in the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy was a delightful surprise for Marvel moviegoers and a deft use of subversion on multiple levels. Not only did we instantly understand that Peter Quill/Star-Lord was not going to be a conventional protagonist, but Gunn also brilliantly used “Come and Get Your Love” to signal to audiences that this was also not the self-serious superhero movie we’d come to expect from the genre when Guardians debuted in 2014. Furthermore, the song kicks off the film with humor and high energy.

2) “Punkrocker” – Superman

While Superman is the most score-heavy of Gunn’s superhero films, opting to close the film with “Punkrocker” was a masterstroke. It serves as a subtle but perfect narrative tie-in with an earlier scene between Superman and Lois in the film, where the hero claims that trusting and seeing the beauty in others is “the real punk rock.”

Not only has the notion caught fire online and the song skyrocketed on the streaming charts, but “Punkrocker” playing in the Fortress of Solitude demonstrates to us that Superman had completed his emotional journey in the film. Opting to watch old home videos with his adoptive parents rather than his Jor-El and Lara’s message to him reinforces that the character redefined his idea of destiny and purpose, while refusing to abandon the value of hope and humanity.

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3) “Mr. Blue Sky” – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Unlike the first installment of the Guardians trilogy, no longer was a bangin’ vintage soundtrack a surprise in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it was expected. Even so, Gunn delivered. This time using Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky,” the filmmaker channeled just enough of the familiar (an intense fight scene being contrasted against an upbeat tune), but put a new character at the center of the sequel’s opening battle: Baby Groot.

The scene is one of Gunn’s best examples of using soundtrack as a tonal contrast, plus, it introduces us to the Guardians’ more solidified familial dynamic in an endlessly entertaining manner.

4) “Hey” – The Suicide Squad

While Gunn loves to score a fight scene with music, the use of “Hey” by The Pixies in The Suicide Squad shows he’s not limited by it either.

The song not only makes the Squad’s walk in the rain one hundred times cooler, Gunn also uses “Hey” as a breather, rather than to build or sustain the energy in a more action-packed scene. It’s a chance for both the characters and the audience to reset and ready themselves for the gruesome fight that follows.

5) “The Chain” – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Fleetwood Mac’s iconic song “The Chain” features twice in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: first when Peter, Gamora, and Drax go with Ego and Mantis to the Celestial’s home planet, then once again during the film’s climax when Peter rejects his father’s brainwashing and fights back.

While using the song instantly amps up any scene’s sense of gravitas, Gunn brilliantly plays into the song’s lyrics both times it’s used. The first time, Peter “breaks the chain” when he splits up the Guardians — Rocket, Groot, and Nebula are left behind when he and the others join Ego, succumbing to his desire to know his father. The second time, when Peter eschews his biological family for his chosen one, he “breaks the chain” in rejecting Ego’s plan to destroy countless worlds in the name of power. In doing so, he maximizes the song’s impact and Peter’s emotional journey in the film.

6) “Creep” – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Gunn skillfully established Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s change in tone and its narrative focus by using Radiohead’s “Creep” to open the film. Its haunting sound perfectly underscores the traumatic flashback of Rocket’s past we see as the film begins, and it serves as our bridge into the present, where we see a grown Rocket singing along to the song.

Lyrically, “Creep” also gives us a glimpse into the character’s state of mind — due to his past, he feels like a “weirdo” — and sets up Gaurdians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s journey with startling efficiency and emotion.

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7) “O-o-h Child” – Guardians of the Galaxy

Usually, the climax of a Marvel superhero movie is a nail-biting, heightened affair, yet Gunn found a way to introduce humor into the Guardians’ face-off with Ronanthe Accuser using the Five Stairsteps’ soul song without sacrificing narrative significance. Quill challenging the imposing Ronan to a dance off is not only hilarious and one of the standout moments of the film, but it also allows Peter to distract his foe long enough for Drax and Rocket to line up fire on Ronan.

“O-o-h Child” is perhaps one of the best examples of the meticulous thought Gunn puts into his music choices for a film. While certain songs may seem to be included because they’re beloved hits and entertaining at first glance (or listen in this case), they also tie back to the story and/or a character.

What’s your favorite needle drop in a James Gunn film? Tell us below in the comments!

The post James Gunn’s 7 Best Superhero Movie Needle Drops appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn’s Superman continues to be a high-flying success for the new DC Universe, proving itself as a critical and fan-favorite darling that is shattering expectations at the domestic box office. In its fifth week, the film has achieved a major milestone, soaring past the domestic gross of Zack Snyder’s divisive 2016 crossover event, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The achievement marks a significant symbolic victory for the new era of DC Studios, demonstrating strong audience enthusiasm in North America even as the international market shows signs of superhero fatigue, a trend that has impacted Marvel’s recent slate of films, including Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The Man of Steel has officially hauled in a domestic total of over $331 million, narrowly surpassing Batman v Superman‘s lifetime domestic gross of $330.3 million. This is a monumental achievement for the first film in a new cinematic universe, especially considering it has now out-earned a film that featured the first-ever live-action team-up of DC’s two most iconic characters. In addition, the consistent week-over-week performance of Superman highlights its strong legs and positive word-of-mouth, which stands in contrast to the more front-loaded run of Batman v Superman, which faced sharp box office drops after its profitable premiere weekend.

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However, the global box office picture tells a more nuanced story. While Superman is a certified hit in North America, its international performance has been more modest. Its current worldwide total stands at over $578 million, a successful figure but still a considerable distance from Batman v Superman‘s global take of $874 million. Even so, the success of Superman is undeniable when compared to its 2025 superhero rivals. It has already surpassed the entire box office runs of this year’s Marvel entries and is on track to be the first DC film to become the highest-grossing superhero movie of the year since The Dark Knight in 2008.

Superman Box Office Is Great for the DCU Future

The remarkable domestic success of Superman is a vital proof of concept for the entire architected future of the DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. After years of inconsistent releases and a struggling shared universe, DC Studios desperately needed a win to build audience confidence and generate positive momentum. Superman delivered exactly that, earning praise from both critics and audiences for its fresh tone and heartfelt storytelling. As such, the film’s success provides a crucial launchpad for the franchise’s next chapters, creating a halo effect for upcoming projects.

The future of the DCU is already taking shape, with a clear strategy of releasing one or two films per year to avoid market oversaturation. Next on the docket is Supergirl, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026, which will bring Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El to the forefront after her brief introduction in Superman. This will be followed by the horror-inflected Clayface on September 11, 2026. Warner Bros. has also confirmed that Gunn is writing the next movie in the “Super-Family,” indicating that David Corenswet’s popular portrayal of the Man of Steel will be central to the franchise’s progression. 

Beyond that, a new Batman film for the DCU, The Brave and the Bold, is in development alongside a new Wonder Woman project, suggesting a patient build-up to an eventual Justice League team-up. This methodical approach, bolstered by the success of Superman, ensures that each character is properly established before being brought together for a larger event, a strategy that sets the new DCU on a sustainable path.

Superman is currently playing in theaters.

How much more do you think Superman will make at the box office? Share your predictions below!

The post James Gunn’s Superman Overtakes Zack Snyder’s Divisive DC Movie at the Box Office appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The DC Universe is off to a strong box office start with Superman, which means it’s poised to break a nearly 20-year streak. At the time of writing, James Gunn’s movie has grossed $578 million, including $331m domestic. Yes, that’s lower than 2013’s Man of Steel, which made $670m, but context matters. Zack Snyder’s film was released in the comic book movie boom period, just one year after The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises both hit $1 billion, so its success was no surprise. Superman comes after years of DC misfires, and during a period where superhero fatigue is a concern, so its expectations were different.

Suffice to say, Superman has met them, especially when compared to the year’s other superhero movies. It stands comfortably clear of its MCU rivals: Captain America: Brave New World made $415m; Thunderbolts* earned $382m; The Fantastic Four: The First Steps currently sits on $434m. Assuming the Man of Steel isn’t caught at the box office by Marvel’s First Family – and given the gap between the two movies, it’s near-impossible – Superman will be the first DC superhero movie to be the highest-grossing of the year since The Dark Knight in 2008.

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Christopher Nolan’s epic easily beat out Iron Man back then, when the MCU was still more of an idea than a reality. Almost every single year since has had the highest-grossing superhero movie be a Marvel release. This does include one non-MCU project, X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009, but otherwise it’s been near non-stop Marvel Studios dominance. DC has had its own hits in that time, such as The Dark Knight Rises, Wonder Woman, and The Batman, but has never been able to topple Marvel.

The one caveat here is 2020. With theaters shut down for most of the year due to Covid-19, any box office earnings have a huge asterisk over them anyway. If you were to go on movies based on comic books, then DC would have the biggest, thanks to Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, which made $205m, while no Marvel movie was released that year. Officially, however, the highest-grossing superhero movie of 2020 was neither Marvel nor DC, but Sonic the Hedgehog ($319m).

Superman‘s potential box office record in 2025 is not just a sign of the MCU’s struggles, but should point to DC’s resurgence. James Gunn’s reboot not only had to deliver a good movie about the Big Blue Boy Scout, but also serve as proof of concept of his new fledgling shared universe, following the failings of the old DCEU. He certainly delivered on the first, with Superman earning the approval of critics and audiences (83% with the former and 91% with the latter on Rotten Tomatoes) alongside its box office success. The second will need more time and more movies, but if this is anything to go by, the DCU will be doing just fine.

Still, it may be a while before DC can boast of this record again. It has Supergirl and Clayface in 2026, and the non-DCU The Batman – Part II in 2027; the latter is guaranteed to be a success, the former two will hopefully be as well. But both years bring new Avengers movies – Doomsday and Secret Wars, respectively – which is something even Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy couldn’t beat. Things are definitely looking up for DC, but there are yet greater heights for it to soar to.

Superman is currently playing in theaters. Supergirl will release on June 26th, 2026, followed by Clayface on September 11th. The Batman – Part II is currently slated for October 1st, 2027.

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This July saw the premieres of two highly important comic book adaptations: Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While the films didn’t directly go head to head at the box office (they were separated by two weeks on the release calendar), many were curious to see which one would earn more money. Even as James Gunn downplayed the notion of a rivalry between the two films, their respective box office prospects remained a key talking point. Superman was the first theatrical release for the DC Universe, hoping to get a new franchise off on the right foot. First Steps was looking to get Marvel back on track after some notable commercial disappointments. Now that both films have been playing for a while, one is the clear victor in the box office showdown: Superman.

Given how much The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped since its debut, it has virtually no chance of catching Superman on the box office charts. After five weekends, Superman now stands at $331.2 million domestically. First Steps stands at $230.4 million after three weeks. At that point in its theatrical run, Superman had grossed $289.4 million in the United States. It’s outpaced Fantastic Four and will end the year as 2025’s highest-grossing comic book movie.

Bolstered by positive reviews, both Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps exceeded box office expectations during their opening weekends. The former premiered to $125 million domestically, while the latter grossed $117.6 million. Their paths started to deviate after First Steps‘ second weekend. Unlike Superman, which only fell 53.2%, Marvel’s latest saw a substantial decrease of 67.1% — a steep drop in the same ballpark as Captain America: Brave New World.

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How Many Times Has DC Beaten Marvel at the Summer Box Office?

Despite the massive decline, First Steps was able to hold on to the No. 1 position in its second weekend, but it dropped to third this weekend. New arrivals Weapons and Freakier Friday battled it out for the top spot, with Weapons winning after grossing $42.5 million. It’s worth mentioning that Superman was the No. 1 movie for just two weekends as well, but it went up against Fantastic Four in its third weekend. Weapons and Freakier Friday were anticipated among their respective target demographics, but there was a point in time where First Steps arguably should have been able to beat out “smaller” competition and win another weekend or two before things slowed down.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks an uneven end for what was a rock year at the box office for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* underwhelmed, sparking speculation that Marvel may look to change the way it conducts business moving forward. With a $400.5 million worldwide total as of this writing, First Steps will soon pass Brave New World to become the MCU’s highest-grossing 2025 release globally. However, a case can be made that it’s not as big of a hit as Marvel or Disney wanted, especially as the MCU builds to Avengers: Doomsday.

Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World found success on home media platforms, illustrating how things have changed in the past handful of years. While there will always be die-hards who show up on opening weekend, shortened theatrical windows make things easier for casual viewers to wait — particularly if a movie isn’t a massive “event” that demands to be seen as soon as possible. It’ll be interesting to see how Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday perform next year. Both of those seem like titles that will bring Marvel back to its $1 billion glory, but if they don’t, the situation could become even more dire. As for DC, many will be curious to see how Supergirl and Clayface fare. Did Superman spark interest in all DC projects, or is Superman just one of the few superhero characters immune to whatever box office trends are happening?

The post There’s a Clear Winner In Superman vs. Fantastic Four Box Office Showdown appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn’s Superman has been crushing it, both at the box office and with its reception among critics and audiences. Becoming the highest-grossing DC film in years and scoring a solid 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, fans have been responding extremely well to the film. There has been some pushback on the film, however, with critics calling out the bloated story and heavy focus on building a new universe. Some of the criticism is also validated by the fans, which has made people question what should have been done to improve the film. Whether it’s the removal of characters or a longer runtime, the answer on how to improve Superman is actually quite simple.

Despite the film’s solid reception, the multitude of storylines would’ve made for a better TV show than a movie. With more time to dedicate to the world and giving each character stronger development, making the film into a TV show would solve just about every problem the film has.

Starting a Franchise Without an Origin is Superman’s Biggest Strength and Weakness

James Gunn tries his best to make a fully realized world in Superman, and while there are many aspects where he succeeds, the pressure of building a universe seemed to have gotten to him. The idea of starting a franchise in a world where Superman has existed for years makes for a nice departure from the stereotypical superhero film, but the film struggles at times to create cohesion. Whether it’s the introduction of the Justice Gang to Clark Kent’s time at the Daily Planet, the film brushes past important details that would help create the mood and environment of the film. Even though the film touches upon the most important aspects of the Superman lore, it could’ve done it in a more satisfying degree.

One of the strongest aspects of Superman is the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, played excellently by David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan. The interview and apartment sequence are easily two of the strongest scenes in the film, which is because of their electric chemistry. Besides those two scenes, sadly, they are barely together for the rest of the film. Because of this, their relationship drama feels sidelined, making the eventual resolution to their conflict unsatisfying. If Superman were a TV show, it would’ve allowed the filmmakers to give more time for the two to share the screen and strengthen their conflict.

The film is littered with superheroes, but not all of them are given as compelling of development as they could have. Mr Terrific is given his fair share of screen time, but the Justice Gang is entirely underutilized. Hawkgirl, especially, is given nothing but a couple of seconds of action in a few scenes. Because of this, the Justice Gang adds almost nothing to the film outside of expressing that superheroes exist outside of Superman.

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There are Too Many Stories Going On at Once

James Gunn is surprisingly able to mesh multiple storylines into one film cohesively, but does so in an extremely swift manner. From investigative journalists uncovering a case to aliens attempting to reunite with their kids, the film does a surface-level job of conveying different stories and perspectives. While it’s easy to appreciate how Gunn crafted the film, the overall story would’ve improved if more time were given to each. Metamorpho’s storyline in particular could’ve easily driven the film to emotional roots, but instead feels like a light and simple subplot. If the story dedicated more time to developing each story, the experience would’ve been much more satisfying.

Films like Iron Man were successful start-ups to a franchise, as they told a singular story without the need to tie in to anything. Jon Favreau wanted to make sure that he got the character right before moving on to anything else. James Gunn should have done the same with his Superman film. While building a new DC universe was the main goal of Superman, it didn’t need to be so extensive in its world-building. If it wanted to be an ambitious superhero film with intertwining storylines, a TV show, or a 3-hour-plus film, is where Gunn should’ve taken the character.

While Superman is far from a bad movie, most of its mistakes have extremely simple solutions. Projects like Peacemaker and Creature Commandos show that James Gunn knows how to make great TV, so the decision to make Superman into a bloated movie is a baffling one. Hopefully, in the future, Gunn focuses less on universe-building and more on telling singular stories, as his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy shows that he can make amazing films without overstuffing them.

Superman is currently playing in theaters.

The post 1 Change Would Have Avoided All of Superman’s Problems (& I’m Not Afraid To Say It) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

For over 80 years, one name has stood as the ultimate symbol of human ambition, intellect, and villainy in the face of god-like power: Lex Luthor. As the arch-nemesis of Superman, Luthor is a reflection of humanity’s complicated relationship with power, a brilliant, arrogant, and dangerously charismatic figure who genuinely believes the world would be better off without its alien savior. His core belief that Superman represents a threat to human potential has made him one of the most compelling and enduring antagonists in all of popular culture, a man whose vast resources and genius-level intellect make him a credible threat to a being who is otherwise invincible.

Lex Luthor’s complex psychological profile has allowed for a wide range of interpretations across film and television. Different actors have emphasized different facets of his personality, from a comical and scheming real estate mogul to a cold and calculating corporate titan. Some portrayals have delved into his tortured past and his complex friendship-turned-rivalry with a young Clark Kent, while others have presented him as an eccentric and unhinged tech mogul for the modern age. Each performance adds something to the character’s legacy, exploring the thin line between savior and destroyer. Here are all the actors who have brought Lex Luthor to life in live-action.

1) Lyle Talbot | Atom Man vs. Superman

The very first actor to portray Lex Luthor in a live-action production was Lyle Talbot in the 1950 film serial Atom Man vs. Superman. Talbot, who had previously played Commissioner Gordon in a Batman and Robin serial, took on the role of Superman’s greatest foe, presenting him as a more straightforward mad scientist. In this early adaptation, Luthor operates under the masked alias of the “Atom Man” to terrorize Metropolis with his deadly inventions, including a teleportation device. This portrayal established the foundational image of Luthor as a villainous genius dedicated to destroying Superman, setting a precedent that all future adaptations would build upon in some way.

2) Gene Hackman | Superman, Superman II, & Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

For an entire generation, Gene Hackman’s performance across three films in the Christopher Reeve era of Superman was the definitive take on Lex Luthor. First appearing in 1978’s Superman, Hackman played Luthor as a brilliant and dangerously comedic criminal mastermind. Flanked by his bumbling henchmen, his version of the character was a charming, witty, and egotistical foil to Superman, more concerned with pulling off the ultimate real estate scheme than with any philosophical opposition to the hero. This interpretation leaned into the campier aspects of the character, creating a memorable and highly entertaining villain who was still capable of immense cruelty.

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3 & 4) Scott James Wells & Sherman Howard | Superboy

The late 1980s television series Superboy was unique in that it featured two different actors in the role of a young Lex Luthor. In the first season, Scott James Wells portrayed Luthor as an ambitious and manipulative college student, preoccupied with outshining his classmate, Superboy (John Haymes Newton and later Gerard Christopher). After the first season, Sherman Howard took over the role, presenting a more theatrical and conniving version of the character. This take on Luthor established key elements of his backstory, including a tragic origin involving a lab fire caused by Superboy that resulted in his baldness. Vowing revenge, this Luthor eventually kills a businessman named Warren Eckworth to steal his “Superboy Gun” project in an attempt to kill his rival.

5) John Shea | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

John Shea brought a new level of sophistication and charm to Lex Luthor in the 1990s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. His portrayal was that of a powerful and beloved billionaire philanthropist who, with the help of his assistant Nigel St. John (Tony Jay), secretly operated as a ruthless criminal. This version of Luthor was positioned as a direct romantic rival to Clark Kent (Dean Cain) for the affections of Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher). After his apparent suicide in the first season finale, his body was revived, with the villain returning in later seasons, now without his wealth and working for the criminal organization Intergang. The show also introduced his illegitimate sons, Jaxon Xavier (Andy Berman) and Lex Luthor Jr. (Keith Brunsmann).

6) Michael Rosenbaum | Smallville

Michael Rosenbaum’s decade-long portrayal of Lex Luthor on Smallville is widely considered one of the most complex and tragic interpretations of the character. The series introduced Lex as a young man saved by Clark Kent (Tom Welling) after a car accident, sparking a genuine friendship between the two. Over seven seasons as a series regular, Rosenbaum masterfully depicted Lex’s slow descent into darkness, driven by his father’s cruelty and an obsessive curiosity about Clark’s secrets. This version explored the idea that Lex wanted to be good but was ultimately consumed by his own inner demons, transforming from Clark’s best friend into his greatest enemy.

7) Kevin Spacey | Superman Returns

In the 2006 film Superman Returns, Kevin Spacey stepped into the role of Lex Luthor for a story that served as an homage sequel to the films starring Christopher Reeve. Spacey’s portrayal was instructed to be darker and more bitter than Gene Hackman’s version, though it retained a similar interest in real estate and a humorous streak. His performance balanced the character’s campier attributes with a sociopathic edge, presenting a Luthor who was deeply resentful of Superman’s return after a five-year absence. This interpretation emphasized a cruel and threatening presence, showcasing a man obsessed with proving his superiority over the Man of Steel.

8) Jesse Eisenberg | DC Extended Universe

Jesse Eisenberg presented a radically different and modern take on Lex Luthor for the DC Extended Universe, first appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Inspired by tech billionaires, Eisenberg’s Luthor was a young, eccentric, and socially awkward genius with a noticeable nervous energy. This version was driven by a deep philosophical fear of Superman’s unchecked power, which he viewed as a threat to humanity. His master plan involved manipulating Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) into fighting each other to the death. Eisenberg’s unorthodox and often unhinged performance was a significant departure from past portrayals and proved to be a divisive interpretation among fans.

9 & 10) Jon Cryer & Aidan Fink | Arrowverse

The Arrowverse introduced its Lex Luthor in the series Supergirl, with Jon Cryer taking on the iconic role as an adult, while Aidan Fink played him as a child. Cryer portrayed a calculating and Machiavellian version of the character, a master manipulator who used his immense intellect and resources to antagonize Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) and her allies. His performance was noted for its cold intelligence and a theatrical flair that captured the character’s classic comic book essence. This Lex was a recurring threat throughout the later seasons of Supergirl and also played a significant role in the multi-series crossover event, “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

11 & 12) Titus Welliver & Payne Novak | Titans

Titus Welliver brought a different energy to the character in the fourth season of Titans, appearing as an adult Luthor, while Payne Novak played a younger version. His take on Lex was an older, bearded man in his late 60s who was more world-weary and reflective. This portrayal focused on his connection to Superboy (Joshua Orpin), a clone created from his and Superman’s DNA. Welliver’s Luthor had a sensitive and thoughtful approach to his evil, driven by a deep curiosity about what makes people tick. Although his appearance was brief, his performance was praised for its gravitas and for bringing a quietly menacing presence to Lex Luthor.

13) Michael Cudlitz | Superman & Lois

Michael Cudlitz debuted as Lex Luthor in the third season of Superman & Lois, presenting a hardened and brutal version of the character. Introduced after spending 17 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, this Luthor was driven by an all-consuming desire for revenge against Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch), whom he blames for his incarceration and the loss of his relationship with his daughter. Cudlitz’s portrayal is grounded in a deep personal pain that fuels his rage, making him a physically imposing and relentless antagonist. This interpretation humanized the character’s motivations while still showcasing his ruthless nature.

14) Nicholas Hoult | Superman

Nicholas Hoult has been praised for delivering a definitive and comic-accurate Lex Luthor in director James Gunn’s Superman. His performance captures the cold, calculating, and ruthless corporate mogul persona that has defined the character in modern comics. Plus, Hoult’s Luthor is a brilliant and obsessive figure whose hatred for Superman (David Corenswet) stems from a deep-seated envy of the hero’s unearned power and public adoration. In the film, he orchestrates an international conflict to frame Superman, manipulates public opinion against him, and even discovers a dark secret about his Kryptonian origins to turn the world against him.

Which actor do you think has given the best live-action performance of Lex Luthor? Let us know in the comments.

The post All 14 Actors Who Played Lex Luthor in Live-Action appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Following the success of DC Studios’ first theatrical release, Superman, writer and director James Gunn unveiled a special behind-the-scenes photo for fans. In a post on his social media accounts, Gunn revealed a photo of both David Corenswet and Milly Alcock together. Corenswet can be seen sporting his iconic Man of Steel costume, while Alcock can be seen sporting a jean jacket as she stands beside him. Gunn posted the photo with a captain asking, “Have you seen #Superman in theaters yet?” The film has been in theaters for approximately a month now, and while it continues to perform well, it has finally come upon some healthy competition thanks to The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Weapons.

While Gunn doesn’t need to try and draw viewers to theaters, as word-of-mouth appears to be doing that just fine, it would appear the co-head of DC Studios has plenty of behind-the-scenes goodies to drop as the film continues its run. Alcock has a short, but sweet, cameo as Supergirl at the end of Superman, when she crashes the Fortress of Solitude. It’s a tease for what audiences can expect when her own solo film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, hits theaters on June 26, 2026. You can see Gunn’s behind-the-scenes photo of the Super cousins in the X post below.

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Gunn, who now serves as the co-head of DC Studios alongside producer Peter Safran, has been very open with fans on social media since his hiring. Not only is he quick to debunk rumors, seemingly routinely at this point, but he’s also showcased an official image of Alcock in a Supergirl teaser, as well as answered fan questions on his various forms of social media. So, it shouldn’t be surprising then that he unveiled a behind-the-scenes photo of the duo on his social media. Gunn served as both the writer and director on Superman, and has been very gracious towards fans online following the film’s huge box office success.

Superman continues to impress at the box office, having recently $300 million stateside, as well as $500 million worldwide. It is the first solo Superman movie to officially cross the $300 million mark domestically, and it’s currently sitting at $325.6 million stateside, suggesting it could finish between $350-$400 million domestically. It should cross $600 million worldwide in the coming days. The movie is the first official release within the DC Universe and will be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow next year. While Superman is already a success for the newly founded studio, it still may not get a direct sequel according to Gunn.

This is because Gunn wants to make sure that DC Studios focuses instead on telling stories that need to be told, rather than stories that are expected to be told. He doesn’t want to simply make sequels to every movie. Up next for Gunn and DC Studios is Peacemaker‘s second season on HBO Max. Production recently wrapped on Lanterns, the live-action Green Lantern series, and the studio is gearing up on pre-production on Clayface, which is set to star Tom Rhys Harries.

Superman is now playing exclusively in movie theaters.

The post James Gunn Shares First Photo of DCU Superman and Supergirl Together appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman is the pinnacle of strength in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. The start of his latest solo movie explains that the Man of Steel hadn’t lost a battle until only a few minutes before the opening crawl, which is impressive because he’s been active for a couple of years. As Superman goes on, Metropolis’ resident hero fights all sorts of enemies, including a giant kaiju and Lex Luthor’s Raptor army. The only person who gives him trouble is Ultraman, who turns out to be a clone created by Luthor. It takes Krypto and Superman working together to take down the doppelganger, proving that the titular hero still has a lot of room to grow.

Across the aisle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts* introduces Bob Reynolds, a troubled young man who’s part of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s Sentry Program. Working with the Thunderbolts helps Bob realize that he can do more good than harm, but that doesn’t mean he avoids causing trouble entirely. No, Sentry flexes his muscles and makes it clear that the MCU’s version of Superman is already in his prime.

Sentry Really Is Stronger Than All of the Avengers Combined

Valentina’s goal with the Sentry Program is to create Earth’s Mightiest Hero, someone capable of replacing all of the Avengers. When Bob lands on her doorstep, she doesn’t stop to think about the ramifications of putting him in a costume and calling him a superhero. Bob proceeds to make quick work of his former friends, knocking around super soldiers with ease. The Thunderbolts don’t even land a hit on Bob, opting to live to fight another day. Unfortunately, Bob realizes he doesn’t need to listen to Valentina, which forces Mel to activate the killswitch. Rather than killing Bob, though, the device unleashes his alter ego, the Void, a dark entity that consumes everything in its path.

What Thunderbolts* makes clear is that the only thing that can stop the Void is itself. But Bob doesn’t know how to control the power, so he locks it away, along with his Sentry persona. However, if Sentry ever does resurface, the DCU’s Superman is going to want to steer clear of him because it won’t be a good matchup for him. Sentry punches with the power of one thousand suns behind him, and Superman proves he can’t handle that kind of heat during his fight with Ultraman. The one thing the Man of Steel has going for him is that he hasn’t really had the chance to let loose yet.

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Superman Will Become More Powerful as the DCU Continues

While Superman goes out of its way to flex Kal-El’s near-perfect fighting record, it doesn’t go into details about his previous opponents. There’s a decent chance that Superman has been fighting below his weight class for years, and Ultraman is a major wake-up call for him. In the years to come, the DCU is sure to introduce more powerful villains, such as Brainiac, Zod, and Darkseid, who will all motivate the Man of Steel to get stronger and learn what he’s really capable of. In the meantime, Gunn and Co. will just have to live with the fact that a Superman pastiche is stronger than the real deal.

Superman is in theaters.

Do you think the MCU’s Sentry is stronger than the DCU’s Superman? Do you think the Man of Steel will be able to close the gap? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The MCU’s Superman Copycat Is More Powerful Than DC’s New Man of Steel appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Pets just make life better. They are a shoulder to cry on when times get tough, and even when they’re misbehaving, it’s hard to get mad at them. Superheroes are as aware of all that as regular people, which is probably why so many of them get an animal companion. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is already home to a few notable pets, including Captain Marvel’s cat, Goose, and Lucky the Pizza Dog from Hawkeye. However, the MCU fails to give its animals proper screen time if they’re not in a Guardians of the Galaxy movie. That’s why it’s no surprise that James Gunn is ensuring his DC Universe doesn’t make the same mistake.

The first DCU movie, Superman, has a heavy dose of Krypto. The Super Dog helps the Man of Steel in his fight against Lex Luthor, knocking around anyone who gets in his way. Superman is far from the only DC hero with a pet, though, so Gunn and Co. should look to incorporate a few more characters that have animals as the franchise grows.

1) Batman

While Krypto might be Superman’s best furry pal, Batman has the honor of being the hero’s human best friend. The two get along so well because they’re total opposites, with Man of Steel being all about hope, while the Dark Knight likes to see the worst in every situation. But being a big fan of brooding doesn’t mean that Batman can’t show affection now and again.

Batman’s dog Ace the Bat-Hound has been part of the hero’s life since the 1950s. While he disappears from more grounded titles, the DCU doesn’t seem all that worried about having pets around. Ace and Krypto could even team up and form the Legion of Super Pets.

2) Shazam

Years before Ace the Bat Hound arrived on the scene, Captain Marvel found an admirer in a bunny named Hoppy. The little creature wants to be just like his idol, so he says the word “Shazam!” and is shocked to learn he has powers. He travels to visit the Marvel Family and helps them take down a few villains.

Hoppy is a hero in his own right, which means he wouldn’t cause any problems if he tagged along with Shazam after he makes his DCU debut. Having the magical bunny around may even make up for the fact that the Green Lantern Chip didn’t end up being in Superman.

3) Supergirl

Gunn drops a bombshell by revealing that Krypto is actually Supergirl’s dog, not Superman’s. The dog is sure to follow Kara Zor-El as she tries to find her next part in the cosmos. However, having Krypto be Supergirl’s pet shouldn’t get in the way of her other animal appearing.

In the pages of DC Comics, Supergirl has a cat named Streaky who gains powers after being exposed to X-Kryptonite. Her transformation emboldens her to be as heroic as her owner, so she joins the Legion of Super Pets alongside Krypto and Ace. Supergirl’s solo movie could feature the Kryptonian meeting Streaky for the first time and taking her under her wing.

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4) Aquaman

All of the animals on this list thus far are rather cute, but that’s not the only important part of being a sidekick. Aquaman befriends an octopus named Topo in the comics and calls on him during battle, as the sea creature is pretty handy with weapons. While Topo appears in the DC Extended Universe as Arthur Curry’s friend, there’s still room for the character to grow.

Aquaman has yet to be confirmed for the DCU, and it may be hard to follow up on what Jason Momoa did in the DCEU. There are already plenty of heroes in Gunn’s franchise, though, so if he wants to allude to Aquaman being around without showing him, that’s fine. Topo can still join the Legion of Super Pets without his owner’s blessing.

5) Robin

Out of all of the Robins, Damian Wayne is the toughest cookie. Growing up with the League of Shadows would leave anybody a little messed up, but Damian has it extra bad because Ra’s al Ghul is his grandfather. Alfred Pennyworth recognizes that his master’s son could stand to learn more about humanity, so he gets him a cat.

Damian names the cat after Alfred and cares deeply for him. With The Brave and the Bold set to feature Damian’s live-action debut, there may also be room for Alfred, who is sure to battle with Ace over who gets the comfy spot in the Bat-Cave.

Superman is in theaters now.

Would you like to see the DC pets on this list appear in the DCU? What other comic book animals should make the jump to live-action? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 5 DC Heroes That Have Pets That Should Be Part of the DCU appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The first movie in the new DC Universe, Superman, goes out of its way to explain that the Man of Steel is still early in his superhero career. Flying around Metropolis for three years, he has a lot to learn about himself and being a hero, which is why Lex Luthor is able to get the better of him so quickly. The villain unleashes a kaiju on Metropolis and orchestrates a war in Jarhanpur to distract Superman from his real goal: destroying the hero’s public image and killing him. When that fails, Luthor unleashes Ultraman, a Superman clone, to finish the job. With some help from Krypto, Ultraman goes down, adding another victory to the titular hero’s resume.

Of course, fighting another version of himself is only the tip of the iceberg for Superman. There are sure to be countless bad guys roaming the galaxy who want to do him harm, and each one will be stronger than the last. Here are seven DC villains who face David Corenswet’s Man of Steel in Superman 2.

1) General Zod

Superman reveals that Kal-El’s parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, aren’t the people he originally thought they were, as they sent him to Earth to conquer humanity, not protect it. In most DC media, General Zod has a similar attitude, and if he’s stuck in the Phantom Zone in the DCU, he’s sure to fill the Man of Steel’s head with lies when he gets out. It only seems natural for Superman to face off against the most dangerous Kryptonian in history in his next solo outing.

2) Brainiac

Despite Superman having several big-screen adventures, not one of them features the popular DC villain Brainiac. Collecting knowledge is the villain’s favorite hobby, and his sick journey takes him to Krypton, where he captures the capital city, Kandor, and shrinks it down to add to his collection. With Superman needing to learn more about his home, a run-in with Brainiac in the near future would be a logical next step.

3) Mongul

Some villains just want to watch the world burn, including Mongul, the ruler of Warworld. While Mongul is plenty strong on his own, he likes to watch others fight, pitting aliens against each other in gladiator matches. When Superman finds himself a captive on Warworld, he’s not going to stop fighting until everyone on the structure is liberated.

4) Metallo

There are many different versions of Metallo in DC Comics, but they all have one thing in common: Kryptonite powers their suit. It will be easy for James Gunn and Co. to pick a character who has a beef with Superman and provide them with an upgrade that makes them as powerful as the hero. Superman has already shown how dangerous Kryptonite can be, and introducing a villain that thrives on it would only heighten the stakes.

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5) Bizarro

The DCU may have already revealed its version of Bizarro, as he shares many of Ultraman’s characteristics. Well, spending time in a black hole won’t do Luthor’s creation any favors, so when he gets out, he may be even angrier and more powerful. Once again, Superman will have to pull out all the stops if he hopes to beat his doppelganger.

6) Darkseid

The evil leader of Apokolips always has his eye on Earth, and the arrival of so many heroes isn’t going to make him happy. Darkseid could come looking for the Anti-Life Equation in Superman 2 and pick a fight with the Man of Steel. If Superman thought that Ultraman was bad, he’s in for a rude awakening when he meets the wrong end of an Omega Beam.

7) Lobo

Lobo, played by former Aquaman Jason Momoa, is going to be a major part of 2026’s Supergirl, causing problems for Kara Zor-El as she travels the cosmos. He’s not the Big Bad of the movie, though, so there’s a good chance he makes it out alive and has a newfound beef with Kryptonians. Lobo is one of the strongest beings in the galaxy, so Superman shouldn’t underestimate him when he sees his space motorcycle enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Superman is in theaters.

Which character from this list would you like to see the DCU’s Superman fight next? Is there another villain that you have your eye on? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Superman 2’s Villain: 7 DC Characters Who Should Face David Corenswet’s Man Of Steel appeared first on ComicBook.com.

With a comic book history stretching back to 1938, Superman has one of the most formidable and iconic rogues’ galleries in all of fiction. Yet, for decades, his cinematic outings have been surprisingly conservative, repeatedly drawing from the same small circle of antagonists. Filmmakers have consistently returned to the brilliant malevolence of Lex Luthor and the Kryptonian physical threat of General Zod, making them the definitive on-screen foes. While their statuses are well-earned, this narrow focus has left a vast treasure trove of villains from the Superman comics completely untouched by live-action movies. Fortunately, that can soon change.

As the first official film in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, 2025’s Superman has launched the franchise to staggering new heights. Bolstered by overwhelmingly positive reviews, the film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score hovering around 85% from critics and an even more impressive 95% from audiences. This resounding success has translated to the box office, where the film debuted to a massive $125 million domestically and has since soared past the $550-million mark worldwide, becoming one of the year’s biggest hits. With Gunn already confirming he is writing a Superman follow-up, the door is wide open to finally introduce the major threats who have been ready to challenge the hero in ways moviegoers have never seen before.

Below you’ll find seven of the Man of Steel’s most iconic villains who deserve to jump to live-action, ranked.

7) Manchester Black

First appearing in the classic Action Comics #775, “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?”, Manchester Black emerged as a direct indictment of the grim anti-heroes who dominated comics in the 1990s and early 2000s. As the powerful telepathic leader of The Elite, Black championed a lethal form of justice, executing villains without hesitation. He and his team quickly gained public adoration, positioning their brutal methods as a modern and effective alternative to Superman’s seemingly outdated moral code.

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Black’s conflict with Superman was never about physical superiority but ideological warfare. He posed a simple question: in a dark world, isn’t lethal force the only answer? The story’s climax saw Superman seemingly adopt Black’s methods, terrifying him with a display of ruthless power before revealing it was a ruse to prove his point about the horror of unchecked might. Because he attacks the hero’s philosophy instead of his body, Manchester Black remains a fan-favorite character who represents one of the most relevant threats to Superman’s legacy.

6) Metallo

John Corben is a villain who strikes at Superman’s most fundamental vulnerability. A man whose consciousness is trapped inside a nigh-invulnerable robotic chassis, Metallo is powered by a heart of pure Kryptonite. This lethal energy source makes him a walking, talking anathema to the Man of Steel, turning any physical encounter into a desperate battle for survival. While his origins have been updated over the years, from common crook to jilted soldier, his core purpose has remained terrifyingly consistent.

Because of his unique power source, Metallo fundamentally alters the rules of engagement. Superman cannot simply trade blows with him, so he is forced to rely on his intellect, environmental defenses like lead, and tactical ingenuity to even get close. This dynamic ensures that Metallo is never just another brute, but a persistent and highly effective antagonist whose presence in a story guarantees a unique kind of conflict, one where Superman’s strength is irrelevant.

5) Parasite

The Parasite brings a unique element of body horror to Superman’s world. Usually depicted as a hapless janitor named Rudy Jones, he is tragically transformed into a being with an agonizing and insatiable hunger for life energy. Through physical touch, he can drain the vitality, memories, and even the powers of his victims. When his target is Superman, the Parasite becomes an existential threat, as every second of contact makes him stronger while simultaneously weakening the hero.

This vampiric ability makes the Parasite one of Superman’s most dangerous foes. Plus, the physical threat of having his own immense powers turned against him is compounded by the villain’s often-sympathetic nature. Jones is rarely portrayed as purely evil, but as a man cursed by a painful biological imperative he cannot control. This tragic dimension makes him a far more compelling antagonist than a simple monster.

4) Cyborg Superman

Few villains have wounded Superman on such a personal level as Hank Henshaw. He debuted in the “Reign of the Supermen!” storyline following the hero’s death, initially appearing as a cybernetically enhanced but seemingly heroic Man of Steel. After earning the trust of the world, Henshaw revealed his true identity as a vengeful scientist who blamed Superman for an accident that cost him his body and his wife. He then cemented his place in history with an unforgivable act of villainy.

In partnership with Mongul, Cyborg Superman obliterated Coast City, the home of Green Lantern Hal Jordan, killing millions. This act was a perversion of Superman’s legacy, twisting his symbol of hope into an instrument of genocide. This deep psychological cruelty, combined with his command of technology and access to Kryptonian abilities, makes Henshaw one of the most hated and effective villains in the entire DC canon, a monster born from grief who sought to burn down everything the hero stood for.

3) Mister Mxyzptlk

A being of unimaginable power, Mister Mxyzptlk is an imp from the 5th Dimension who treats our universe like his personal toybox. He isn’t evil in a conventional sense, because our world’s morals have little meaning to him. Instead, Mister Mxyzptlk is a cosmic trickster driven by a profound boredom that can only be cured by tormenting Superman. With the ability to rewrite reality on a whim, his challenges are surreal, often comical, and completely unbound by the laws of physics. Famously, the only way to defeat him is to exploit the one bizarre rule he must obey, as getting him to say his name backward banishes him home for 90 days.

While he is often the source of Silver Age whimsy, Mxyzptlk’s true potential was terrifyingly unleashed in Alan Moore’s seminal 1986 story, “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?”. In that finale for the pre-Crisis Superman, a bored Mxyzptlk revealed his true form and unleashed apocalyptic chaos, proving that his near-omnipotence was capable of absolute horror. He is the ultimate intellectual puzzle, a villain who renders Superman’s strength completely irrelevant and forces him to win with his wits alone.

2) Mongul

The brutal tyrant of Warworld, a planet-sized mobile battle station, Mongul is a galactic conqueror whose ruthlessness puts him in the same class as Darkseid. However, his reputation was forever cemented by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ 1985 classic, “For the Man Who Has Everything.” In that story, Mongul demonstrated a uniquely sadistic form of cruelty by trapping Superman in a psychic fantasy using the Black Mercy, a parasitic plant that forced him to live out a happy life on a Krypton that never exploded.

This story established Mongul as a master of psychological torture, able to identify a hero’s deepest desires and turn them into a weapon. Furthermore, his other signature crime, the destruction of Coast City alongside Cyborg Superman, had devastating consequences that rippled across the DC Universe for years. Fans regard Mongul as an A-list threat precisely because he has proven capable of challenging Superman on every conceivable level, from his heart to his home.

1) Brainiac

Alongside Lex Luthor, Brainiac is one of Superman’s absolute greatest enemies, and his continued absence from live-action cinema is a source of constant fan frustration. A hyper-advanced alien intelligence, Brainiac scours the cosmos for knowledge, which he preserves by shrinking and bottling entire cities from planets he deems worthy before destroying them. His conflict with Superman is intensely personal, as his collection contains Kandor, the last surviving city of Krypton.

Brainiac represents the ultimate fusion of intellectual and physical threats. His 12th-level intellect allows him to out-think virtually any opponent, while his advanced technology, vast drone armies, and iconic skull-shaped starship make him a devastating physical force. Throughout the comics, his design has evolved from a simple green-skinned humanoid to a terrifying skeletal android, but his core identity as a calculating collector of worlds remains. He is the total package, a villain who challenges Superman’s mind, might, and heritage all at once.

Which Superman villain are you most excited to see in a live-action movie? Share your favorites in the comments!

The post 7 Major Superman Villains Missing From the Live-Action Movies appeared first on ComicBook.com.

With technology and visual effects as advanced as they are, it’s hard to believe that filmmakers still run into practical conundrums when bringing big-budget action movies to life. However, Guy Williams, Superman‘s Visual Effects Supervisor, detailed one such situation when bringing the blockbuster to life on the latest episode of ComicBook Nation podcast. Writer/director James Gunn’s film is unabashedly vibrant and larger than life, yet a very ordinary household item became essential for the Superman‘s VFX team to believably realize Superman’s escape from Lex Luthor‘s Pocket Universe onscreen. In the film, Superman pushes past Kryptonite poisoning while also battling Lex’s relentless team of Raptor guards – all with Metamorpho’s infant son Joey in his hands – to make it out of the villain’s dystopian dimension.

The sequence comes to a heart-stopping climax when Superman gets swept away by an anti-proton river toward a black hole in the Pocket Universe. With help from Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, Krypto, and his own super breath, Superman narrowly dodges getting sucked into the black hole and manages to make it back to the portal just before it collapses, delivering Joey to his father in one piece. Williams pulled back the curtain on how exactly he and the Superman team pulled off that particular movie magic trick.

Superman Crew Created a Massive Ball Pit to Stand in for Lex’s Anti-Proton River

The thrilling sequence presented a unique puzzle for Williams and his visual effects team at Wētā FX, who handled VFX on Superman. They needed a way to match the flow of the river in order to capture the live-action footage they needed of star David Corenswet and the other actors playing the Raptors before they could fill in the rest of the scene with visual effects.

“It was tricky. We tried, they had a water pool that they filled, and then put a sheet over the top of it, so that you could be in it, but not get wet. It just provided too much resistance,” Williams detailed. “They tried a standard ball pit, but the balls just made so much noise, and they got crushed so much, and it just became troublesome. But then they found it wasn’t a problem with the ball pit, it was a problem with the ball.”

That’s where the deodorant comes in. In order to create the right motion and light to mimic the anti-proton river, the Superman production crew determined they needed balls about an inch in circumference for the effect.

“And it turns out they’re the balls that are used in a deodorant roll-on [stick],” Williams shared. “So they worked with the manufacturer of the roll-on products and bought, I wish I knew the exact numbers, like 700,000 of these balls, and then filled this incredibly large ball pit with them. And it worked to a treat.”

You can watch the interview segment with Guy Williams below!

The Deodorant Ball Pit Saved Superman‘s Cast & Crew (and the Audience)

Williams, who’s previously worked with Gunn on The Guardians of the Galaxy films and The Suicide Squad, confirmed that once they found the right stand-in for the blocks of the anti-proton river, the scene became “fun to shoot”.

“Between every take, everybody would just lean over and just chuck a couple of balls back into the pit, because of course, they get knocked out of the pit all the time.” Talk about an unconventional occupational hazard.

Williams went on to explain that creating “the right environment for the actors to perform” always remained the chief concern when sourcing the right stand-in for the anti-proton river in Superman.

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“It gave the actors a chance to perform and sort of understand what they were interacting with, knowing that there’s no real good analog for giant metal blocks that glow,” Williams said. “So it’s trying to figure out something that’s going to get us close enough that we can then go into visual effects and start ‘plusing’ it up.”

He revealed that while Weta’s team matched David Corenswet’s movements in post-production, his entire body was replaced with CGI to make Superman’s struggle in the river feel real to the viewer.

“It’s about doing all of this effort to make sure that it feels tied together, it feels integrated,” Williams stressed. “The audience doesn’t get challenged by what they’re seeing; they can just enjoy what they’re seeing.”

Listen to Comicbook‘s full interview with Guy Williams about Superman‘s visual effects below. The film is still in theaters and IMAX.

Superman is now playing in theaters everywhere.

The post One of Superman’s Craziest Action Sequences Needed Deodorant to Pull Off (Yes, Deodorant) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman has crossed another box office milestone as it continues its theatrical run. As of this writing, the film has earned $320.3 million domestically, which narrowly edges out the current domestic total for Jurassic World Rebirth ($320.2 million). With this development, Superman is now the third highest-grossing film of the year in the United States, trailing only the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake ($421.4 million) and A Minecraft Movie ($423.9 million). It’s also 2025’s highest-grossing comic book adaptation, having already passed the totals of Captain America: Brave New World ($200.5 million) and Thunderbolts* ($190.2 million). Superman is well ahead of The Fantastic Four: First Steps ($208 million).

An important caveat to note when comparing Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth is that the latter has been a far stronger draw internationally. Rebirth‘s worldwide total currently stands at $769.5 million, well ahead of Superman‘s $559.3 million. Since its opening weekend about a month ago, Superman has notably performed weaker overseas, but it continues to do well domestically.

Bolstered by a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score, Superman exceeded box office expectations by grossing $125 million domestically during its debut. Perhaps more importantly, it held well in its second weekend, seeing a 53.2% decrease. That drop-off is a stark contrast from The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which fell 67.1% after its own strong debut. Superman is the first DC Comics adaptation since 2022’s The Batman to cross $300 million domestically. Unadjusted for inflation, it is the highest-grossing solo Superman movie of all time.

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Opening ahead of Fourth of July weekend, Jurassic World Rebirth earned $147.8 million domestically over its extended, five-day opening (roughly $92 million of which came during Friday-Sunday). It also had a decent hold in its second weekend, earning $40.3 million (a 56.2% drop). The biggest difference between Jurassic World and Superman is critical reception; while the former’s Rotten Tomatoes score was an improvement over its predecessors, it still has a rotten mark of 51%. Superman‘s stronger reviews seem to have helped propel it over Jurassic World, which had a one-week head start.

Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth are neck and neck on the charts right now, but the margin should widen shortly. Rebirth is now available to rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon, Apple, and Fandango. While there’s nothing like seeing big-budget dinosaur mayhem on a premium theater screen, some viewers may now be less inclined to check out Jurassic World in theaters because they can watch it at home. It’s unknown when Superman will hit PVOD, so if audiences want to see that film, they have no choice but to make a trip to the multiplex.

Superman still has some work to do if it is to pass Lilo & Stitch or A Minecraft Movie, and with the new August releases projected to have healthy debuts of their own, it may have to settle for third place on the domestic charts for now. It’ll be interesting to see where Superman stands by the end of the year. There are still some notable titles on the horizon, including James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. The first two Avatar movies are among the highest-grossing films of all time, so it stands reason to believe Fire and Ash will be a sizable draw. Other movies such as Wicked: For Good and Zootopia 2 should also have lucrative runs over the holiday season. Regardless, Superman has gotten the DC Universe off on the right foot.

The post Superman Overtakes Jurassic World Rebirth To Hit New Box Office Chart Milestone appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Things couldn’t be going much better for DC Studios than they are right now. Superman is still in theaters and killing it at the domestic box office. Even Marvel Cinematic Universe heavyweights like Iron Man 2 and Thor: Ragnarok are making way for the Man of Steel, which proves that DC has just as much potential as its biggest competitor. The battle will continue next year when Supergirl and Clayface hit theaters. While DC Universe architect James Gunn isn’t directing either of those movies, they’re sure to ride the wave and continue to push the new franchise in the right direction.

Speaking of Gunn, he’s been pretty tight-lipped about what he’s working on next. He’s made it clear that the next movie he’s writing will have David Corenswet’s Superman in it, but that’s as much as he’s willing to divulge. Well, Gunn’s boss, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, doesn’t feel like keeping things close to the vest, dropping a bombshell during the company’s latest earnings call.

While speaking about the success of Superman, Zaslav let slip that Gunn will be directing the “next movie in the Super-Family” (via Variety). That’s not a whole lot to go on, especially because reports earlier this summer claim that DC Studios is in no rush to develop a sequel to its smash hit. However, there’s a good chance that Gunn will get creative and put together a movie that acts as a follow-up to multiple projects.

The Future of the DCU Is Becoming Clearer By the Day

It feels like the next natural step for the DCU would be to have the Man of Steel share the screen with Batman or Wonder Woman. After all, those three characters make up DC’s Trinity, which is sure to play a major role as the franchise progresses. It’s a bit too early for that, though, as Gunn and Co. are working hard to ensure characters are fleshed out before having to share the spotlight. Ana Nogueira, who wrote the upcoming Supergirl movie, is working hard on a Wonder Woman script. Meanwhile, The Brave and the Bold, which will feature both Batman and his son, Damian Wayne, has been in development for a while, with The Flash director Andy Muschietti attached to direct.

Once both of those movies are locked and loaded, maybe Gunn will consider having Superman meet his fellow DC icons. In the meantime, there’s a member of the “Super-Family” that could use his help, Kara Zor-El. Milly Alcock’s brief appearance in Superman makes it clear that her character has seen better days, and while she will have her own journey of self-discovery in her solo movie, there’s no one better to teach her how to be a hero than her cousin, Kal-El. Gunn could very well have the two Kryptonians team up in his next movie and face off against a major villain, such as General Zod. After all, it would be a great way to follow up on the bombshell about Krypton that Superman dropped.

Superman is in theaters now.

Are you excited that James Gunn is directing another DCU movie with Superman in it? Do you think it will also feature Supergirl? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Warner Bros. Confirms Which DC Movie James Gunn Will Direct Next appeared first on ComicBook.com.

South Park has returned for its twenty-seventh season, and with its second episode, has already become one of the most controversial seasons in the show’s history. While many fans were expecting the current batch of episodes to once again get political, many might not have seen the arrival of the “dog of steel” coming. Unfortunately for Krypto, Clark Kent’s unruly hound wasn’t safe from the machinations of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. With James Gunn’s Superman still killing it in theaters, many DC fans might be thrown for a loop when they see what happened in South Park’s “Got a Nut.”

Warning. If you have yet to watch the latest episode of South Park, be forewarned that we’ll be diving into spoiler territory. The twenty-seventh season’s second installment begins with Mr. Mackey, South Park’s resident school counselor, being laid off from his job. Looking for new employment, Mackey learns about the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Making the controversial move, Parker and Stone parodied “I.C.E.” and its current head, Kristi Noem. With Krypto soaring through the sky, Noem is seen shooting and killing Kara Zor-El’s canine, creating a scene that is set to be controversial across the board. You can check out the gruesome scene below.

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R.I.P. Krypto

For those who don’t know the backstory regarding Noem’s controversial background, Parker and Stone are commenting on material from her book, “No Going Back.” In the autobiography, Kristi Noem describes how she put down her dog, Cricket, for being unruly during one hunting season. This controversy has followed Noem for quite some time, and it’s clear that South Park was more than willing to poke fun at the event, as the political figure is shown murdering quite a few dogs during the episode’s runtime.

Luckily, Krypto survived the events of James Gunn’s Superman and is most likely set to return next year in 2026’s Supergirl movie. With the live-action take on the super pooch, we see a version of Krypto that is quite unlike anything else we’ve seen before. Typically, the DC Comics canine is one that is relatively well-behaved, but for Gunn, the director and writer of Superman decided to take a different approach. While Krypto comes through in a pinch for Clark a few times in the movie, he isn’t the best-behaved dog and since he has powers comparable to Superman, it can be quite the problem.

South Park’s twenty-seventh season was running into some major controversy even before the episodes started running on Paramount+ and Comedy Central. Due to licensing disputes between Paramount, Warner Bros, and the South Park creators themselves, the initial debut had to be delayed, but was luckily saved when a deal was struck between Matt Parker, Trey Stone, and Skydance. While even this latest episode was delayed a week, the creators of the controversial series have yet to confirm any future delays.

Want to stay in the loop when it comes to Comedy Central’s Colorado town? Follow along with ComicBook.com for everything South Park related and hit me up directly @EVComedy to talk all things comics and anime.

The post South Park Meets Superman in Gruesome Crossover appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Figuring out continuity in a cinematic universe is more difficult than it seems. Despite Fox having a clean slate with the X-Men movies, the studio always found a way to mess things up, introducing multiple versions of the same character and letting major events slip its mind. To avoid those kinds of issues, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has an overseer, Kevin Feige, who does his best to keep every project working in harmony. Despite having been part of the Marvel Studios factory at one point, James Gunn isn’t taking any pointers from his former boss, choosing to take his new DC Universe in a different direction.

The first film in the DCU, Superman, foregoes the origin story route, dropping the Man of Steel into a world that’s already full of heroes. Metahumans aren’t new to the people of Earth, as they’ve been active for hundreds of years. However, not all the characters in Superman are new, with Gunn bringing back some familiar faces from his other DC projects. The connections the movie has to previous shows and movies aren’t as squeaky clean as they seem, though.

Superman Embraces James Gunn’s Previous DC Projects

Superman‘s opening crawl provides a history lesson, explaining when the hero’s ship arrived on Earth and how long he’s been protecting the world. It also mentions that, only a few minutes before the movie kicked off, the Man of Steel suffered his first loss at the hands of the Hammer of Boravia. Coming in second only once in three years is a mighty impressive feat, and it doesn’t take long for Superman to return the favor to his enemy by knocking him around after it comes to light that he’s a clone created by Lex Luthor. Before Superman defeats Luthor and his cronies, he has to deal with his public image, which takes a hit after the villain reveals the message Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van sent their son to Earth with to the world.

One of the people who takes the opportunity to trash Superman is Christopher Smith (John Cena), who, of course, appears in both The Suicide Squad and the HBO Max series Peacemaker. It should be impossible for Peacemaker to share the screen with David Corenswet’s Superman because he ran into Henry Cavill’s version only a few years ago, but Gunn has made it clear that Season 2 of the anti-hero’s solo series will explain everything. However, it will have to clear up a lot more than that one inconsistency because there’s another major continuity snag that involves Superman.

Bloodsport Put Superman in His Place Before The Suicide Squad

While Peacemaker’s presence in the DCU is easy to clean up due to the pocket universes he has access to, Rick Flag Sr.’s backstory is going to be an issue. Creature Commandos, which takes place in the DCU, seemingly picks up not that long after the events of The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, as Flag Sr. is still reeling from the death of his son at the hands of Smith. Another character present during that tragic moment in Corto Maltese is Robert DuBois, aka Bloodsport, who has a rivalry with Peacemaker. While Smith claims to be every bit the marksman DuBois is, there is one thing separating them: Bloodsport hit Superman with a Kryptonite bullet and put the hero in the hospital.

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Ending up in the ICU would certainly count as a loss for the Man of Steel, which means Gunn’s DCU is ignoring it despite moving forward with other aspects of his lore. Maybe Bloodsport will appear again at some point down the line and tangle with Superman, but that won’t make things any less confusing. Gunn probably would have been better off having the Hammer of Boravia incident be the second time his hero has been defeated because, as things stand, the DCU is starting off more like Fox’s superhero franchise than the MCU.

Superman is in theaters.

How do you think Peacemaker is going to end up in the DCU? Does it make sense to you that Rick Flag Sr. wants revenge for the death of his son, but the other events of The Suicide Squad didn’t happen? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Superman Ignored a Huge Part of DCU Canon 4 Years After James Gunn Revealed It appeared first on ComicBook.com.

An alternate design for David Corenswet’s costume in Superman has been revealed, and it makes a major change when compared to the final product. On Instagram, Maybelle Pineda, who worked on the film as a costume graphic artist, shared a series of images reflecting on the process of designing the new Superman suit for the DC Universe. Included in her post is a photo featuring a rendering of an alternate costume hanging on a board. This version of the Superman costume does not sport the character’s trademark red trunks. Instead, there’s only the bright yellow belt.

In her post caption, Pineda looked back at her experience on the project and thanked various members of the Superman crew for their help and support. She noted that she joined the film “a bit late in the process” and primarily worked on “refining and supporting the already established designs of the superman suit.” Check out her post in the space below:

The trunks debate is always a hot-button issue whenever there’s a new live-action adaptation of Superman in the works. Superman director James Gunn even consulted Zack Snyder about this while his film was in development. Snyder, of course, previously brought Superman to life in the DC Extended Universe. Snyder eschewed the red trunks, opting to give Kal-El’s costume a more grounded, tactile look.

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It was actually Corenswet himself who settled the matter for Gunn. He explained he was in favor of the trunks because he felt Superman shouldn’t be afraid to “look a little silly” in an effort to appear friendly and welcoming to young kids. Corenswet shared that Gunn had attempted to “find a reason for them,” but struggled with that detail. Corenswet was the one who suggested the reason for the trunks was to make Superman seem approachable to the regular people he’s committed to protecting.

The costume is one of the most important elements when putting together a superhero movie; the right design can become instantly iconic, but a wrong step can spark fan backlash. Something like Superman’s red trunks seems like a small detail in the grand scheme of things (story and how the characters are portrayed are arguably more pertinent for a film), though it’s easy to see why Gunn thought long and hard about this in pre-production. Superman, a character who’s been around for decades, has an iconic look fans all around the world are familiar with. Superman had to honor that rich history while also doing what was right for its own narrative.

It’s good that Gunn did his due diligence and at least saw what the suit looked like sans trunks. Being able to compare the two versions side by side makes it easier to determine which one is a better fit for the film. It’s arguably for the best Gunn’s Superman has the trunks. Throughout his career, the director has shown a willingness to embrace comic book sensibilities and doesn’t shy away from inherently silly concepts from the source material (see: his ability to elevate obscure characters like Polka Dot Man and Mister Terrific to fan favorites). Something might have felt a little off with Superman if the costume didn’t have the trunks. Corenswet’s iteration, praised as one of the film’s highlights, feels very much like a superhero who goes out of his way to appear relatable to the everyday people of Metropolis.

The post David Corenswet’s Alternate Superman Costume Revealed (& It Makes 1 Big Change) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn’s new DC Universe is officially underway, and while fans are still waiting to see how it all unfolds on screen, we know that the punches are going to hit hard. With Creature Commandos arriving first, Superman out now, and the second season of Peacemaker hitting our screens soon, the DCU is stacking its roster with some of the most lethal, inventive, and downright awesome combatants from across the comics. From metahumans with the power to shatter steel, to elite warriors trained in ancient martial arts, this is not the DC you thought you knew. Gunn has made it clear he’s bringing weird, wild, and sometimes wonderfully obscure characters into the spotlight, and many of them are absolute beasts in battle.

Whether they’re cutting through armies of monsters, taking on superpowered tyrants, or just wrecking shop with a gun and a grudge, these 10 fighters are the best of the best in the new DCU, and fans should definitely be paying attention.

10) Metamorpho (Superman)

One of the wildest additions to Gunn’s Superman cast is Metamorpho. More than just a fan-favorite deep cut, he’s a one-man chemical arsenal. Though you may not necessarily consider him a “fighter” in the traditional sense, Rex Mason can transmute his body into any element on the periodic table, allowing him to turn into gas, stone, acid, or metal mid-fight. Need a titanium wrecking ball? He is one.

In the comics, Metamorpho has also demonstrated resistance to mind control, immunity to toxins, and even the ability to phase through solid objects by turning into gas. He’s a frontline tank and a Swiss army knife rolled into one. While his original look is classically pulpy, Gunn’s DCU is leaning into his weirdness in the best way.

Metamorpho’s strange and unpredictable powers make him one of the most versatile fighters in DC Comics. And that’s exactly why he’s such an exciting fit for Gunn’s DCU. He fights using transformation and adaptability in ways that leave even the strongest enemies scrambling.

9) Hawkgirl (Superman)

Another major name that’s joined Gunn’s DCU is Hawkgirl. A warrior with a tragic past, razor-edged wings, and centuries of combat experience, Hawkgirl can bring it with the best of them. Whether she’s flying headfirst into battle, destroying the peace with her screeching, or swinging her iconic mace, Hawkgirl brings a level of ferocity few can match.

Hawkgirl’s primary weapon, the Nth metal mace, it’s both brutal and magically enhanced, capable of disrupting energy fields and magical constructs. Her wings are also infused with the same alien metal and grant her flight and enhanced durability. Depending on her incarnation, she’s also been known to possess advanced healing and resistance to mental attacks.

In the comics, she’s a close-quarters expert, and someone who’s been through more battles than most heroes can count. Her reincarnation cycle gives her the skills of countless lifetimes, and if Gunn sticks close to the source, this version will be a straight-up war goddess.

8) Rick Flag Sr. (Creature Commandos)

If the younger Rick Flag Jr. was a force in The Suicide Squad, you should take a proper look at his father. Rick Flag Sr. is the team leader in Gunn’s Creature Commandos, and this old-school war dog is bringing serious heat.

Flag Sr. brings a soldier’s grit and a lifetime’s worth of battlefield experience. He’s not flashy, but he’s lethal. Trained in tactics, weapons, and hand-to-hand combat. What makes Flag especially dangerous is his ability to lead from the front while going toe-to-toe with literal monsters.

7) The Engineer (Superman)

The Engineer is a walking, nanotech-powered superweapon, and her arrival in Superman is a game-changer. With her body infused with liquid machinery, she can transform her limbs into blades, guns, shields, or anything else the situation demands. Beyond combat, her nanotechnology gives her access to satellites, hacking capabilities, and advanced communication systems. In the comics, she’s been seen taking on entire teams of metahumans at once — and winning. She’s also a founding member of The Authority, which suggests her role in the DCU may extend far beyond just Superman.

The Engineer is one of the more morally complex characters in DC lore, and that makes her an unpredictable and dangerous fighter. Her powers allow her to fly, self-repair, and adapt in real time, making her nearly impossible to pin down in a fight.

6) Bloodsport (The Suicide Squad)

Don’t worry, we know that Idris Elba’s Bloodsport was technically in the DCEU, but James Gunn has confirmed him as a canon character in the new world order. Elba’s Bloodsport stole scenes — and body parts — in The Suicide Squad, and there’s no doubt this cold-blooded mercenary has the skills to back up his intimidating reputation. In the comics, Robert DuBois has gone toe-to-toe with Superman using kryptonite bullets and teleporting weapons. On screen, his suit is loaded with customizable weaponry, and every move is calculated. He’s not just shooting; he’s strategizing.

Bloodsport is a one-man arsenal, and in his brief stint on screen, he proved he could go toe-to-toe with metas and monsters alike. More than that, Bloodsport is clever. His prison breakout scenes and battlefield strategy show a level of situational awareness that makes him especially dangerous. And with his DCU confirmation, it will be great to see a reunion between him and Peacemaker. His only weaknesses are his daughter. And rats… don’t let him see rats.

5) Judomaster (Peacemaker)

Introduced in Peacemaker, Judomaster might be the smallest character on this list, but don’t let his size fool you — he hits like a tank. Nhut Le’s version of Judomaster quickly became a fan favorite for his speed, precision, and the sheer embarrassment he inflicted on his enemies. He’s a master of martial arts who favors momentum, misdirection, and speed over brute strength, which makes his takedowns even more impressive. In the show, he not only takes hits and keeps going, he welcomes the chaos.

Judomaster was one of the only characters able to take Peacemaker down, and more than once. His agility, combat technique, and fearlessness put him in a tier far beyond supporting cast. This little green menace fights with more heart (and more dropkicks) than just about anyone in the DCU.

4) The Bride (Creature Commandos)

Of all the oddball names on Creature Commandos, the Bride might be the biggest surprise — and the biggest threat. In both the comics and her DCU incarnation, the Bride is an elite-level combatant with enhanced strength, durability, and decades (if not centuries) of fighting knowledge. She’s been known to rip vehicles in half, tank bullets without flinching, and coordinate combat teams with military precision. Her tactical awareness is as lethal as her fists. Whether she’s wielding improvised weapons or using her monster strength to demolish buildings, she’s a natural-born leader in a world of monsters.

What makes her stand out isn’t just that she can go toe-to-toe with undead soldiers or vampire commandos, it’s that she combines the strength level of Frankenstein’s Monster with her sharp mind, strategic nouse, and complete ruthlessness when necessary. Gunn has always had a knack for turning unconventional characters into breakout stars. If he plays his cards right, the Bride might end up being one of the coolest — and most badass — additions to the entire DCU.

3) Peacemaker (Peacemaker)

John Cena’s Peacemaker is already a cornerstone of Gunn’s DC universe, and he’s more than earned it. He’s a bruiser, a brawler, and a surprisingly agile fighter who can wipe the floor with squads of trained killers while spouting one-liners. He’s proficient in firearms, explosives, grappling, and brutal hand-to-hand combat. What sets Peacemaker apart is his stamina; when he fights, he doesn’t stop. He’s also deceptively flexible and fast for someone his size, able to dodge blades and bullets mid-fight.

Peacemaker’s brutal fighting style blends military efficiency with raw, explosive power. As seen in The Suicide Squad as well as his own series, he can take punishment and keep going, often improvising in the middle of combat and turning the tables in the most violent way possible. While his moral code is… questionable at best, there’s no doubt that Peacemaker is one of the most skilled human fighters in the DCU. And with his brief cameo in Superman, and the second season of Peacemaker hitting our screens, expect him to play a bigger role as the universe expands.

2) Mister Terrific (Superman)

Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific has absolutely stolen the show when it comes to the new Superman movie. One of the smartest characters in all of DC Comics, Michael Holt is more than just brains. As Mister Terrific, he’s a master of martial arts, a genius inventor, and the kind of fighter who can defeat stronger opponents through pure strategy.

His T-Spheres give him remote offensive options, 360-degree battlefield awareness, hacking capabilities, and even levitation. In close quarters, he’s trained in multiple martial arts and has Olympic-level athleticism. His “fair play” mantra doesn’t mean holding back — it means fighting smart and with purpose. In the comics, Mister Terrific is a member of the Justice Society and a polymath who can out-think nearly anyone — even Batman. But when he needs to throw hands, he can do that too.

1) Superman (Superman)

Of course he’s number one. No list of DC fighters is complete without the Man of Steel himself. Yes, he has heat vision, super strength, flight, and invulnerability. But Superman isn’t just about powers, it’s about how he uses them. Over the decades, Clark has learned to fight aliens, robots, gods, and military tacticians. He’s trained in multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat (including Kryptonian martial arts), and he knows how to handle himself when brute force isn’t enough.

Superman’s reflexes, aerial maneuvering, and heat vision precision make him nearly untouchable. And when the gloves come off there are very few beings in the universe who can keep up. But Kal-El isn’t just the strongest hero in the DCU physically, his mental strength also comes into his own. He knows when to hit and when to hold back. Gunn’s version of the Man of Steel captures the timeless essence of the character while reflecting modern sensibilities, with influences of the Silver Age comics thrown in.

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James Gunn’s Superman continues to rise on the all-time box office charts, passing a trio of notable Marvel Cinematic Universe releases in the process. As of this writing, Superman has grossed about $316 million domestically, clearing the totals for Iron Man 2 ($312.4 million) and Thor: Ragnarok ($315 million). Superman is currently just outside the top 100 highest-grossing movies of all time, and it’s only a matter of time before it passes Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to move into that spot.

Prior to out-grossing Iron Man 2 and Thor: Ragnarok, Superman had passed Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($259.7 million). This means the DC Universe’s Superman has now officially beaten movies featuring all of Marvel’s big three Avengers from the Infinity Saga. Superman should eventually pass the original Iron Man, which grossed $319 million back in 2008. It’s also on the verge of topping this summer’s Jurassic World Rebirth ($317.6 million).

After the DCU canon kicked off with the animated series Creature Commandos last year, Superman marked the franchise’s proper, formal arrival on the big stage. Though Gunn played down the amount of pressure Superman was under to perform at the box office, there was still a lot riding on the film. Fortunately, bolstered by positive reviews and strong audience word of mouth, Superman exceeded box office projections and earned $125 million domestically in its opening weekend. It is well over $500 million worldwide.

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While clearly successful, there are some caveats to consider when discussing Superman‘s box office haul. Obviously, these figures are unadjusted for inflation. The film also hasn’t fared as well internationally. Depending on how things play out, it may not top Man of Steel‘s global total of $670.1 million. Still, Superman is a hit that sets up an exciting future for the DCU. The franchise has a pair of new movies set for release next year (Supergirl and Clayface) and Gunn is writing a Superman follow-up that isn’t a straightforward Superman 2.

With the exception of 2022’s The Batman, several DC Comics adaptations in recent years flopped at the box office. None of Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hit $200 million domestically. A couple of those even finished below $100 million in the United States. So Superman marks a much-needed box office win for DC as a whole. Even if there wasn’t a new shared universe trying to get off the ground, the company was in dire need of a non-Batman hit. Superman has gotten the DCU off on the right foot, and it’ll be exciting to see how the franchise develops from here.

Superman will probably fall short of passing Lilo & Stitch ($421.2 million) and A Minecraft Movie ($423.9 million) on the 2025 domestic chart, but it should finish the year as the highest-grossing comic book adaptation. Superman has already easily topped Thunderbolts* ($190.2 million) and Captain America: Brave New World ($200.5 million). There was some question as to whether or not The Fantastic Four: First Steps would beat Superman, but after that film’s massive second weekend drop, Superman is likely going to come out on top.

The post James Gunn’s Superman Overtakes Iron Man, Captain America & Thor at the Box Office appeared first on ComicBook.com.

With The Fantastic Four: First Steps plummeting 80% from its first to second Friday, it’s now clear which superhero movie will reign supreme over all others at the summer 2025 box office. Superman, which is currently flying towards a $360-375 million domestic finish, has nothing to be concerned about. This James Gunn directorial effort will beat out not only summer 2025’s two MCU movies, but all other summer 2025 features sans Lilo & Stitch. It’s an impressive feat for a feature that could’ve easily come off as another superfluous reboot to general moviegoers.

It also means this will be the rare summer where a DC Comics movie outgrossed Marvel at the summer box office. Though the home of Spider-Man has often reigned supreme in this sizzling hot season, DC has also caught the box office crown on some very impressive occasions.

The Earliest DC Summertime Box Office Champions

For many years, live-action comic book movies were sparse creations outside of the original Superman and Batman features. Because of that, early summer moviegoing seasons would often have either a Marvel movie (like in summer 1986 with Howard the Duck) or a DC film (like the various years in the 1990s with Batman sequels), but not both. That all changed in the 21st century, when X-Men and Spider-Man turned these titles into massive box office players. The first proper summertime showdown between these two labels would be 2004, when Spider-Man 2 trounced Catwoman.

The following summer, in 2005, Batman Begins handily outgrossed Fantastic Four at both the domestic and worldwide box office. Christopher Nolan’s first Batman adventure gave DC a major box office victory over Marvel. He accomplished that again three years later when The Dark Knight outgrossed Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Heck, combining the domestic hauls of those two inaugural Marvel Cinematic Universe movies would still result in a lower domestic gross than The Dark Knight‘s lifetime North American haul.

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Once more, DC had the summer superhero movie box office crown, even with stiff Marvel competition. That would be the last time, though, that DC’s summertime movies would outgross their Marvel competition. While nobody expected Jonah Hex to come close to out-grossing Iron Man 2 in summer 2010, the increasingly massive success of the MCU meant that there was no hope for Green Lantern or Suicide Squad to outgross their Marvel rivals. Warner Bros. and DC would have to settle for constant silver medals in this box office duel, a far cry from when Michael Keaton’s Batman movies ruled all over all features in the summer moviegoing landscape.

A Wonder-ful Box Office Upset for DC

In 2017, the MCU launched multiple blockbusters in one summer moviegoing season for only the third time in its history. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming were both massive hits, each grossing $330+ million in North America alone. Even with those massive numbers, though, they didn’t hold the superhero movie box office crown that year. That title went to Wonder Woman, which exploded past all expectations to gross $400+ million.

That haul far exceeded the domestic hauls of past DC Extended Universe features like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as most non-Avengers MCU installments released up to that point. It was an outstanding result that gave Warner Bros. its biggest non-Dark Knight DC movie ever in North America. The fact that it excelled financially while being sandwiched in between two lucrative MCU installments only accentuated its impressive box office achievements.

In the final years of the 2010s, Warner Bros. released DCEU titles like Shazam! and Aquaman outside of the summer moviegoing season. This prevented further Marvel and DC showdowns until summer 2021, when The Suicide Squad was outgrossed by Black Widow. While the MCU was unstoppable in the 2010s after The Avengers opened in 2012, the franchise has been far more vulnerable financially in the 2020s.

That’s opened the door for Superman to follow in the footsteps of the first two Dark Knight movies and Wonder Woman in being a DC Comics movie beating out Marvel at the summertime box office. A rare achievement, it’s an accomplishment reflecting how much Superman has profoundly resonated with audiences, as well as the current wonky reputation the MCU has with the general public.

Superman is now playing in theaters. Wonder Woman is now streaming on HBO Max.

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With Superman‘s worldwide box office soaring past $551,256,392 (as of this writing), it’s clear that James Gunn did something right with his take on The Big Blue Boy Scout. From David Corenswet’s somewhat corny yet all-around wholesome performance as Clark Kent to secret MVP Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), there is a lot for Superman fans to love about the character’s DC Universe debut. There is, however, one aspect of Superman’s latest big-screen outing that has fans torn: his new origin. If you still haven’t seen Superman, now would be the time to stop reading because we’re about to dive headfirst into spoiler territory.

If you have seen the movie, then you know James Gunn made a significant alteration to the Superman mythos by changing the reason why his birth parents sent him to Earth. Kal-El and Lara Lor-Van, still exile their baby to save him from Krypton’s imminent destruction, but now they expect him to rule over humans rather than save them. Many fans were understandably upset over the change, with some even holding out hope that the whole thing was a ruse orchestrated by Lex Luthor despite James Gunn explicitly stating otherwise. We want to play Devil’s advocate, however, and suggest that Gunn’s alteration to Supes’ origin was not only warranted but actually made Superman a better movie.

Superman’s Parents Not Being the Best People Actually Comes From the Comics

First of all, we should point out that James Gunn didn’t invent this idea of Jor-El and Lara turning out to be jerks. It actually comes straight out of The Man of Steel, John Byrne’s post-crisis retelling of Superman’s origin. However, even if the idea of Clark’s Kryptonian parents breaking bad had sprung directly from Gunn’s brain, it would still be the right twist for 2025’s Superman.

Superman is often presented as a dichotomy between alien and human. The poster child for nature vs nurture, Superman’s whole deal has always been the idea that if this extra-terrestrial child were raised in a lab instead of a loving midwestern home, he would become an evil dictator instead of a righteous savior. Heck, The Boys is pretty much based around the entire concept.

The problem comes when the adopted parents and the biological parents are equally benevolent. If Superman’s Kryptonian parents are already pretty swell, then he doesn’t exactly have to go out of his way to follow the example of his adoptive parents. It’s just good influences all around with Jor-El advising his son to help those weaker than him and Martha Kent admonishing Clark to say “please” and “thank you” while he’s doing so.

On the other hand, giving Superman fascist parents that he has to choose to disobey makes for a much more interesting character. It works especially well in Superman as a way of highlighting how much of an influence John and Martha Kent had on their son growing up. James Gunn gave us a Superman story where it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that the hero would fight for truth and justice: it’s a choice.

Having Clark Choose to be Good Gives his Actions More Weight

By having Clark make a conscious choice to walk the path of breakfast for dinner and saving people simply because it’s the right thing to do, Gunn emphasizes the character’s humanity. This is a Superman who refuses to let his genetics define him, because, as Pa Kent tells him, “Your choices, Clark, your actions, that’s what makes who you are.” It also gives Superman an opportunity for personal growth as he goes from a character trying to fulfill the wishes of two sets of parents to realizing that he only has one “real” mom and dad, and their love and influence are all he needs to guide him.

Anyone who has ever had a surrogate mother or father who inspired them more than their own flesh and blood understands exactly what Clark is going through in Superman. The choice to forge your own identity based on the love of others instead of following your genetic destiny is a powerful one. It’s the same choice Rey makes at the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker when she chooses to ignore the Palpatine blood flowing through her blood in favor of following the examples shown to her by the Skywalker family.

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James Gunn’s evil Kryptonians twist also lays the groundwork for the DCU to explore Superman’s Kryptonian heritage further. Is knowing her uncle was a eugenics freak one of the reasons Supergirl drinks? Are there other races that Krypton conquered that Superman will have to deal with as one of the last living Kryptonians? Having Kal-El deal with the sins of his father — and Krypton in general — could be a possible plotline in future Superman movies.

Ultimately, James Gunn’s decision to mess with the most widely accepted version of Superman’s origin was a bold one that ended up working in his favor. We’re all for movies and shows deviating from the source material if it’s for a good reason — look at what Batman: The Animated Series did with Mr. Freeze — and as far as we’re concerned, Gunn had a good reason.

Now, if he changes anything about Batman’s parents, that’s another story.

Do you agree that Superman’s new origin works, or do you prefer your Kryptonians to be goody two-shoes? Let us know in the comments.

The post Superman’s Controversial Origin Retcon Was Actually the Best Possible Twist appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2025 has already produced a mix of celebrated big-budget movies and smaller-scale, indie flicks, and many have immersed audiences, captured our imaginations, and included incredible performances from some of the biggest actors on the scene. After a lull in the wake of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2025 has been a banner year for theaters, with filmmakers branching out into more experimental and niche stories. Alongside these more intimate projects, some of Hollywood’s biggest franchises have also grown in 2025, producing some of the most exciting movies of the year so far.

While there are only a few months left of the year, these are expected to be jam-packed with brilliant upcoming movies. This includes the likes of Freakier Friday, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Tron: Ares, Predator: Badlands, Wicked: For Good, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, among others, and these likely hits will be joining some of 2025’s best movies so far. With entries from filmmakers Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Ryan Coogler, Matt Shakman, James Gunn, Michael Shanks, and more, these are ten of the best movies of 2025 so far, though there are many more that have also excelled.

10) Companion (January 31, 2025)

Written and directed by Drew Hancock, Companion stars Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher as boyfriend Josh and companion robot Iris, respectively. After Josh informs Iris of her true nature as a robot, she escapes from his control, boosts her own intelligence to 100%, and begins a killing spree. Companion received positive reviews following its release, and got praise for its originality, convincing performances, and thrilling twist on what could have become an overdone narrative. Companion is a strong feature directorial debut for Hancock, who won the Directors to Watch award at 2025’s Palm Springs International Film Festival.

9) Lilo & Stitch (May 23, 2025)

Disney has remade several of its classic animated movies into live-action flicks in recent years, but few have been as successful as 2025’s Lilo & Stitch. A remake of the original 2002 movie, which saw the extraterrestrial experiment Stitch arrive in Hawaii, where he’s adopted by the young Lilo and finds a family, Lilo & Stitch stands as the second-highest-grossing movie of 2025, grossing $1.02 billion at the global box office, only falling behind the Chinese-produced Ne Zha 2. The remake pays homage to the original beautifully, while also paving its own path which can be developed further in an already-confirmed sequel.

8) Superman (July 11, 2025)

While not universally beloved, James Gunn’s first feature film in the rebooted DC Universe, 2025’s Superman, has marked a strong start to the new franchise. Starring David Corenswet in the titular role, opposite Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, and more, Superman is a thrilling return to vibrancy and color for the Man of Steel, who faltered under the weight of his darker persona when in Zack Snyder’s control. Superman has achieved an 83% critics score and a 91% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a clear success story for 2025 and for the superhero genre.

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7) The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)

Narrowly beating out Superman’s scores on Rotten Tomatoes, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps has achieved a critics score of 87% and an audience rating of 92%, making it the clear winner of 2025’s superhero summer – despite not faring so well at the box office. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn bring a new version of the Fantastic Four to life in First Steps. Matt Shakman has brought color and entertainment to the Fantastic Four’s retro-futuristic, alternate universe setting, and the depiction of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) has received praise, making this adaptation every Marvel fan’s dream.

6) Black Bag (March 14, 2025)

Steven Soderbergh’s spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett somewhat fell under the radar, despite boasting an impressive cast and receiving high praise from critics. Black Bag underperformed at the box office, much to Soderbergh’s dismay (via The Independent), and the movie clearly deserved more. Stylistic, witty, and original, Black Bag sees Fassbender and Blanchett deliver brilliant performances in an espionage story that includes prestige, tension, and a grounded character-driven narrative. It’s a shame more viewers didn’t turn out for Black Bag, as it’s certainly one of the best movies of 2025.

5) Sorry, Baby (June 27, 2025)

Written, directed, and performed by Eva Victor in their directorial debut, A24’s Sorry, Baby sees Victor’s Agnes embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery after a visit from her pregnant friend, Lydie (Naomi Ackie), and a traumatic event. Sorry, Baby delivers heartfelt and heavy-hitting subject matter with wry humor and authenticity, making it easy to fall in love with Victor’s grounded and hopeful story. The movie only had a limited theatrical release, but received critical acclaim from its festival run at Sundance and Cannes, and it could become more prominent after being showcased at August’s Norwegian International Film Festival.

4) Together (July 30, 2025)

Real-world married couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco star in Michael Shanks’ feature directorial debut as a couple who encounter a mysterious force that causes horrific changes in their bodies after their relocate to the countryside. Together debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect score (this has since decreased slightly), setting a high standard for Shanks’ future career and raising excitement for the body horror spectacular itself. Original and hauntingly real, Together is a co-dependency horror movie that will stick with you long after watching, cementing it as one of the most poignant and thrilling movies of the year.

3) Sinners (April 18, 2025)

Taking a break from developing Marvel Studios’ Black Panther franchise, Ryan Coogler turned to his own 1932-set vampire horror movie, Sinners. Michael B. Jordan excels in his dual role as World War I veterans Smoke and Stack Moore, who team up with the latter’s ex-girlfriend (Hailee Steinfeld) and their 17-year-old cousin (Miles Caton) to battle a supernatural evil in their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Coogler’s visually-spectacular storytelling and use of a powerful soundtrack make Sinners one of the clear movies of the year, receiving critical acclaim and expanding his own formidable repertoire into some exciting places.

2) Warfare

Written and directed by Alex Garland and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, Warfare’s script was formed from the testimonies of Mendoza and his platoon members and is told in real time. The movie depicts Mendoza’s experiences during an encounter with enemy forces in November 2006 after the Battle of Ramadi, and does so in a brutally real way, taken from the memories of the soldiers themselves. This is a change in pace for Garland, whose more dreamy stories in Ex Machina, Annihilation, Devs, and Men are replaced by the all-out, guns-blazing story of Warfare, enhanced with Garland’s trademark filmmaking style.

1) 28 Years Later (June 20, 2025)

Another Alex Garland epic, re-teaming with 28 Days Later’s original director, Danny Boyle, 28 Years Later was one of the most highly-anticipated movies of the year, and became one of the year’s most memorable instalments. 28 Years Later picks up almost three decades after the original Rage Virus outbreak, and focuses on the young Spike (Alfie Williams), who embarks on a journey away from his island sanctuary on his first trip to the mainland. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes deliver incredible supporting performances in this emotionally-resonant and high-octane post-apocalyptic horror, which beautifully sets the stage for more intense character work in the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which will likely become one of the best movies of 2026.

What have been your favorite movies of 2025? Let us know in the comments!

The post 10 Best Movies of 2025 (So Far) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In most DC media, Superman is at the top of the food chain. Earth’s yellow sun provides him with incredible abilities, including super strength, flight, and heat vision. There are very few villains in the universe that can go toe-to-toe with the Man of Steel when he’s at full power. However, James Gunn’s DC Universe doesn’t follow the beaten path, being comfortable enough to show its Superman lose a battle. In fact, 2025’s Superman begins with the titular hero down for the count after a fight with the Hammer of Boravia, who turns out to be a clone created by Lex Luthor.

While the DCU’s Superman is still formidable, he doesn’t have the experience that other heroes in the franchise do. There are also other franchises where metahumans have been active for many years and are ready for a fight whenever it comes their way. Here are seven Arrowverse characters that could beat David Corenswet’s Superman.

1) Green Arrow

For better or worse, Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow, is the Arrowverse’s version of Batman. He takes to the streets of Star City at night and dishes out his own brand of justice. Another thing he borrows from the Dark Knight is his contingency plans. During one of The CW’s crossovers, Oliver reveals that he has a Kryptonite arrow, even using it against the Supergirl from Earth-X. While he wouldn’t be able to beat Superman in a fist fight, the Arrowverse’s first hero would find a way to win.

2) Reverse-Flash

Another Arrowverse character with experience fighting Kryptonians is Eobard Thawne, aka the Reverse Flash. He helps the Nazis during the “Crisis on Earth-X” crossover and fights The Flash and his friends, including Supergirl. At one point, Reverse-Flash even lets it slip that he fought Superman in the future and was faster than the hero. The DCU’s Superman hasn’t fought a speedster yet, and Reverse-Flash being his introduction to them would be a tough draw.

3) Supergirl

Kara Zor-El already exists in the DCU, and there’s no reason to suspect that she’s significantly stronger than her cousin. However, the Arrowverse’s Supergirl has them both beat in the experience department, fighting dozens of villains during her six-season run and consistently coming out on top. In a one-on-one battle, there’s no way that Corenswet’s Man of Steel takes out his cousin’s CW counterpart.

4) The Anti-Monitor

There are some problems that Superman can’t face alone in the Arrowverse, including “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” The crossover brings in multiple versions of Superman, and they all lose to the Anti-Monitor, a being that can wipe out entire universes without much effort. The Man of Steel won’t even be able to get close to the Anti-Monitor before turning into a cloud of dust.

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5) The Martian Manhunter

Gunn has been teasing that the Martian Manhunter will have a part to play in the DCU’s future, but he’s not around yet. However, if he’s anything like the Arrowverse’s version, Superman should keep his head on a swivel. J’onn J’onzz and Kal-El have a falling out in Supergirl because the Martian likes to keep Kryptonite around. Superman reveals just how dangerous the mineral is for the Kryptonian, so the Martian Manhunter isn’t a good matchup for him.

6) The Spectre

While it seems unfair to have Oliver on this list twice, he says himself that he becomes “something else” when he assumes the role of the Spectre. The Anti-Monitor pushes Green Arrow’s new identity to his limits, but the hero wins the day and creates a new multiverse. While Superman can do some pretty impressive things, creating planets out of thin air isn’t one of them.

7) Superman

Of course, as Superman’s battle with Ultraman proves, there’s no one better to fight the Man of Steel than himself. The Arrowverse’s Superman has been around for a long time, defeating numerous villains on his way to becoming Earth-38’s most recognizable hero. The DCU’s version of the hero will need a few more years of training before he can take down his Arrowverse variant.

Superman is in theaters now.

Do you think the Arrowverse characters on this list could beat David Corenswet’s Superman? Who else do you think has a chance? Let us know in the comments below!

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The launch of James Gunn’s new DC Universe marks a significant moment in superhero cinema, establishing a fully inhabited world populated by a diverse roster of heroes and villains. From its opening theatrical chapter, Superman, the DCU has made it clear that it is a universe with a deep history, including previous iterations of the Justice Gang and many classic DC heroes being referenced through Easter eggs. So, since part of the fun with powered individuals is to imagine who would win in a fight, the time is ripe to break down the power scale of the confirmed DCU superheroes.

With just a handful of projects already released, we still can’t tell exactly how strong the DCU iterations of some of its heroes truly are. This means we are excluding figures who only appeared in Easter eggs and quick cameos, like The Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman in Creature Commandos. Furthermore, this list focuses on public superheroes, not covert operatives, so we are also not listing the monstrous members of the Creature Commandos or Amanda Waller’s A.R.G.U.S. agents, who operate in the shadows of black ops rather than as crimefighters. Finally, we are also ignoring characters who are yet to debut, even if we know they’ll appear shortly, like Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart in the Lanterns series.

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With that said, this ranking is based on the powers, skills, and overall combat effectiveness demonstrated by these characters within the new DCU canon so far. As this universe expands, this hierarchy will undoubtedly shift, but for now, this is how the confirmed heroes of the new DCU stack up.

9) Vigilante

First appearing in Peacemaker, Adrian Chase (Freddie Stroma) is the deeply disturbed and socially inept crimefighter known as Vigilante. While his DCU journey has been short, with Peacemaker Season 1 being recently canonized by James Gunn, the series establishes that Vigilante acts as a crimefighter for years before he becomes an A.R.G.U.S. black-op agent. Lacking any superpowers, he operates with a twisted moral code and an unsettling admiration for Peacemaker (John Cena). Vigilante’s combat effectiveness stems from his exceptional marksmanship, proficient hand-to-hand fighting skills, and a remarkable tolerance for pain.

Vigilante’s placement at the bottom of this ranking is unavoidable due to his status as a baseline human. While his combat training makes him dangerous to ordinary criminals, he is completely outclassed in a world that includes alien warriors and elemental beings. His skills and disturbing enthusiasm are his only assets, but they are simply insufficient against the scale of threats faced by other heroes. In any conflict that moves beyond street-level crime, Vigilante would be a liability, making him the weakest, albeit one of the most memorable, heroes in the new DCU.

8) Peacemaker

Christopher Smith, the infamous Peacemaker, is an expert killer who fanatically believes in achieving peace at any cost. His story, established in Peacemaker Season 1, continues squarely in the new DCU thanks to Season 2 of histitular show and a hilarious cameo in Superman. Peacemaker is a master tactician and an elite combatant with peak-human physical conditioning, just like Vigilante.  However, his greatest assets are his collection of advanced helmets created by his father, each granting a unique and powerful ability, such as generating a devastating sonic boom, activating a defensive force field, or enabling underwater travel.

Peacemaker ranks above his admirer, Vigilante, due to his superior training, tactical mind, and highly versatile technology. His helmets give him options in a fight that go far beyond conventional weaponry, allowing him to contend with more powerful foes, as seen in his battle against the Butterflies and their leader. However, at his core, he is still a man who relies on gear. His power is borrowed from technology, and he lacks the world-breaking abilities of the metahumans ranked higher.

7) Hawkgirl

A core member of the corporate-backed superhero team known as the Justice Gang in Superman, Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) is a fierce and aggressive warrior. Her primary abilities shown on-screen are flight, which she achieves with a pair of large wings, and her skill in close-quarters combat. She also wields a colossal mace, a weapon capable of delivering devastating physical blows, which matches her ferocious fighting style.

Hawkgirl is undeniably a powerful warrior, but based on what has been shown, her abilities are focused on direct physical confrontation. While her wings and mace make her a formidable opponent, she has not demonstrated the kind of esoteric or cosmic powers that many other heroes possess. Her strength lies in her martial prowess and the brute force she can bring to a fight. This makes her perfectly suited for battling monsters and armored soldiers, but her currently demonstrated power set appears more limited than other DCU superheroes.

6) Mister Terrific

Michael Holt (Edi Gathegi), also known as Mister Terrific, is another key member of the Justice Gang and is portrayed in Superman as one of the most brilliant minds on the planet. Operating without any biological superpowers, his effectiveness as a hero comes entirely from his genius-level intellect and his mastery of advanced technology. His signature inventions are his T-Spheres, a swarm of mentally controlled drones that serve multiple functions. In the film, these spheres are used as concussive explosives, hacking tools, and holographic projectors, showcasing the variety of powers Mister Terrific can emulate with technology alone.

In addition to the T-Spheres, Mister Terrific’s intellect is a superpower in itself. He ranks above purely physical fighters like Hawkgirl because his strategic capabilities and adaptable technology allow him to solve problems that cannot be solved with brute force. His quick thinking is crucial in containing threats during the film, where he successfully uses his T-Spheres to kill a kaiju and later closes a reality-threatening rift created by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). His T-Spheres give him a solution for nearly any scenario, effectively making him a one-man army capable of outthinking and outmaneuvering opponents who would otherwise be far outside his weight class.

5) Krypto

The Last Dog of Krypton, Krypto is Superman’s (David Corenswet) loyal canine companion and a super-powered being in his own right. Having traveled from Krypton as a puppy, he was exposed to Earth’s yellow sun and granted the full spectrum of Kryptonian abilities, including flight, super strength, and heat vision. In Superman, he is shown to be a playful but incredibly powerful pet, and his power is instrumental in defeating Lex Luthor’s Superman clone, Ultraman, by destroying the drones that Luthor uses to control the clone.

Krypto ranks this high for a simple reason: he is essentially Superman in the form of a dog. He possesses the same god-like abilities, making him one of the mightiest beings on the planet. He can move buildings and fly faster than a speeding bullet. The only factor that keeps him from being even higher is his animal intelligence. He operates on instinct and loyalty, not strategy or reason. This makes him a loving pet who just so happens to have the power to shatter continents.

4) Metamorpho

Introduced in Superman as a tragic figure, Rex Mason (Anthony Carrigan) is the hero known as Metamorpho. His powers give him complete control over his own molecular structure, allowing him to shapeshift, stretch his limbs, and create complex chemical compounds from his own body. Initially a reluctant prisoner of Lex Luthor, who coerces him into servitude by holding his son hostage, Metamorpho transforms into Kryptonite to poison Superman. After a change of heart, he then generates a miniature yellow sun to help a weakened Superman recover. Both feats serve to demonstrate how versatile Metamorpho’s powers can be.

Metamorpho’s elemental transmutation places him in a significantly higher tier of power. His ability to alter his chemical makeup at will makes him one of the most unpredictable heroes in the DCU. He can adapt to virtually any environment or opponent by turning his hands into solid weapons, his body into a gaseous state to evade attacks, or his skin into hardened steel for defense. He can also create acid or any dangerous substance on a whim. This level of molecular control grants him an offensive and defensive arsenal that far surpasses conventional technology or physical strength, making him a true powerhouse.

3) Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)

Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) is the notoriously headstrong Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814. He appears in Superman as a veteran member of both the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps and the Justice Gang, wielding one of the most powerful weapons in the universe: a Green Lantern Power Ring. This device allows him to create hard-light constructs of anything he can imagine, with the strength of those creations limited only by his own willpower. In the film, he uses the ring to create aggressive and often humorous constructs, like oven mitts to handle a kaiju and a giant middle finger to swat at enemy tanks.

The sheer potential of a Power Ring places Guy Gardner near the top of this list. With it, he can fly at superluminal speeds, survive in any environment, and generate constructs ranging from simple energy blasts to incredibly complex machinery. Plus, his power source is cosmic in scale, allowing him to contend with threats that could endanger entire planets. While Guy’s arrogant and confrontational personality is often a weakness, the reality-warping capability of his ring is undeniable. In terms of pure potential, he operates on a level that most other Earth-based heroes cannot begin to approach.

2) Supergirl

Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), Superman’s cousin, is the other known Kryptonian survivor to have landed on Earth. Like all members of her race, exposure to a yellow sun grants her a staggering array of powers, including flight, superhuman strength, speed, and durability, as well as heat vision. Her appearance in a Superman closing scene establishes her as a more emotionally volatile character than her cousin, arriving at the Fortress of Solitude after an off-world bender, with Clark revealing to the audience that she travels to planets with red suns specifically to be able to get drunk.

While she’s not on screen for long, Supergirl shares the exact same Kryptonian physiology as Superman, making her one of the two most powerful heroes introduced in the DCU. Her potential is limitless, and in a contest of raw strength, she is his equal. She is ranked just slightly below him for her lack of experience, temperament, and self-destructive habits. While Superman is a seasoned hero who has spent years mastering his abilities and defining his moral code, Kara is portrayed as a newer and more impulsive superhero. So, she has the same world-breaking power but has not yet demonstrated the same level of discipline and control.

1) Superman

As the flagship hero of the new DCU, Clark Kent, the Man of Steel, stands as its strongest and most inspirational figure. A seasoned hero who is fully comfortable with his role as humanity’s protector, he embodies kindness and compassion while wielding an almost limitless array of powers. As a Kryptonian, he possesses immense strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, X-ray vision, and powerful heat vision. In his debut film, he also performs incredible feats, such as physically overpowering a monstrous kaiju and later defeating his own powerful clone, Ultraman.

Superman is definitely the most powerful hero in the DCU. In Superman, he demonstrates incredible precision and restraint, always prioritizing the safety of civilians in the most chaotic battles. He is the complete package, combining overwhelming strength with the control and character to use it for the good of all, setting the ultimate standard for what it means to be a hero.

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The Man of Steel continues to soar to new heights. DC Studios’ Superman has just crossed yet another impressive milestone at the box office. On Thursday it has been confirmed that the first DC Studios release, Superman, has officially crossed $300 million domestically. This marks the first DC movie in years to cross $300 million stateside, with The Batman being the last DC movie to do so three years ago. That Robert Pattinson-led flick finished its theatrical run at $369.2 million domestically, but five other DC movies were released between these two films. Superman was at $299.7 million stateside as of Wednesday evening and officially crosses the $300 million mark today at the box office after less than three weeks in release. This marks the first solo Superman movie to achieve this milestone.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, however, the movie has surpassed yet another big feat at the box office. The movie has also surpassed the entire lifetime domestic haul of Man of Steel, which finished its run with $291 million in 2013 — that’s not adjusted for inflation. It’ll soon manage to overtake Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which took in $330.4 million domestically. As it stands, with its domestic haul now over $300 million, Superman has already crossed $500 million at the worldwide box office. Yet another milestone achieved by Superman this week is that it is now the fourth movie this year to cross $300 million domestically, after only A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, and Jurassic World: Rebirth.

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When it comes to box office competition, the only real competition for Superman is Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which should top the box office again in its second outing. Not much else is releasing this week outside of the Liam Neeson-led Naked Gun remake, which could surprise at the box office as counter programming to two superhero tent poles. As it stands, The Fantastic Four: First Steps should cross $200 million domestically as it heads into weekend and will finish the weekend with well-over $300 million worldwide. Experts currently have the Naked Gun remake on track for an opening between $15 million and $20 million, however, some are suggesting it could open higher.

Superman‘s success is made all the more impressive given the recent misfires before the newly launched DC Studios. Before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over for DC and figured out what story to tell across various forms of media, DC struggled at the box office with films like The Flash, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, Blue Beetle and Shazam! Fury of the Gods all underperforming at the box office. Of course, Superman is a marquee name for DC Comics, so it remains to be seen whether the rest of DC Studios’ can perform as well at the box office, but the film’s box office success suggests DC is finally bound for success at the box office again.

Set to serve as the first film in the newly launched DC Universe from DC Studios, Superman is written and directed by James Gunn. It stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen. Up next for DC Studios and the DC Universe is Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a Clayface movie starring Tom Rhys Harries, and the HBO Max series, Lanterns.

Superman is now playing exclusively in theaters everywhere.

The post Superman Just Crossed A Major Box Office Milestone (And Set a DC Record) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

With Superman officially in theaters, fans are understandably looking ahead to what else DC Studios has planned. Superman already introduced audiences to the Justice Gang — Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl — as well as Metamorpho, and a quick cameo by the Man of Steel’s cousin, Supergirl. Next year we have Supergirl’s new movie, with even more guest stars planned. It helps that DC Comics has big plans for its universe of heroes, beginning this fall with DC K.O. This event is different from others, using a tournament theme to pit hero vs. hero. After the official DC K.O. announcement, we now know 10 of the individuals participating, and it also includes our heroes from the big screen.

San Diego Comic-Con revealed more details on DC K.O., with event co-architects Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder naming some of the heroes in the first round bracket. In total, there will be 32 participants. Of course, you can expect big names like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman to be a part of DC K.O., and yes, Wonder Woman is one of the first 10 revealed. But stars from Superman and Supergirl are also represented, showing some synergy with what’s taking place on the big screen.

Let’s see which movie heroes from the DC Universe will take part in the DC K.O. superhero tournament, and our likeliest choice to win it all.

1) Guy Gardner

Nathan Fillion plays the Green Lantern Guy Gardner in Superman. Guy is the most brash of the Green Lanterns, but there’s no denying his ability with the Green Lantern ring and his bravery. Guy names himself the leader of the Justice Gang, even though Mr. Terrific gets the most screentime and is the most logical leader of the team. Plus, Mr. Terrific and Hawkgirl aren’t fans of the “Justice Gang” name.

The Justice Gang works for Maxwell Lord, and we’ll see more of them in the second season of Peacemaker, and Guy Gardner will also guest star in Lanterns on HBO Max. While Guy Gardner is the first Green Lantern revealed for DC K.O., it’s possible he’ll be joined by others like Hal Jordan or John Stewart.

2) Supergirl

Milly Alcock plays Kara Zor-El in next year’s Supergirl, and also appeared briefly in Superman, when she crashed the Fortress of Solitude to retrieve her doggy, Krypto. After playing a young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon, Alcock will now join another major franchise. Fans have finally gotten to see Milly Alcock in her Supergirl costume, but we’re far away from an official trailer dropping.

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DC just launched a new Supergirl comic in May, most likely to piggyback on the curiosity and excitement for her DC Universe film. She’s been a big part of DC’s Superman Family of comics, and will look to keep that momentum going to become the Heart of Apokolips.

3) Lobo

The intergalactic bounty hunter known as Lobo will be played by Jason Momoa in Supergirl. Of course, Momoa also had a role in Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe as Aquaman. Rumors had been swirling about which DC character Momoa would portray next, but it’s worth noting that Lobo was not a part of the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic book by Tom King and Bilquis Evely that the movie is inspired by.

Nevertheless, “The Main Man” will look to bring home the crown in DC K.O. He’s fought some of the heaviest hitters in the DC Universe, and you know he’ll never back down from a fight. Since DC isn’t afraid to throw some curveballs into the event, it would be fun to see Lobo’s daughter, Crush, participate as well.

Those are three of the heroes in DC K.O. that we know are in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. The other seven names confirmed are Captain Atom, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Cyborg, Red Hood, and Zatanna. However, Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson have already said who the central hero is in DC K.O., and their name isn’t one of the first 10 revealed. Plus, they are the most likely hero to win it all.

4) Superman

After letting Batman and Wonder Woman get the starring roles in previous event series, DC K.O. will have Superman as the main protagonist. It makes sense since Superman is now in theaters, and the comics are celebrating the Summer of Superman.

“Metal was a Batman story, Death Metal was a Wonder Woman story—and DC K.O. is a Superman story,” said Williamson. “I wanted to tell a story about Superman looking into his own heart of darkness,” said Snyder. “It’s a very personal story wrapped in nine layers of candy exploding in your face.”

DC K.O. will see these heroes trying to generate enough Omega Energy to rival Darkseid—and crown a new King Omega, a celestial being toward whom the universe bends. They will then take this immense power to try and defeat Darkseid.

What do you think about the first participants in DC K.O., and Superman’s chances of winning? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 4 DC Movie Stars Are Competing in a Superhero Fighting Tournament (And 1 Destined to Win) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman doesn’t feature appearances from other Justice League heroes, but James Gunn is teasing the potential arrival of one of the team’s most prominent members. As Superman continues its box office run, the DC Studios co-head is encouraging fans to see it again on the big screen with a clever reference to the larger DC Comics mythology. On his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Gunn shared a series of images featuring various Chocos products that exist in the DC Universe. Moviegoers should take interest in Gunn’s post caption, which serves as a nod to a fan-favorite character.

“A certain Martian will be happy to hear Chocos Inc is going strong in Superman,” Gunn wrote, a clear reference to Martian Manhunter. Check out his post in the space below:

Chocos doesn’t feature prominently in Superman, but a billboard advertisement for the company is seen in the film. In the comics, Chocos is the go-to snack choice for Martian Manhunter. He developed what could be considered an addiction to the cookies, infamously going on a rampage when Booster Gold and Blue Beetle pranked Martian Manhunter by stealing his Chocos supply. Martian Manhunter was unable to buy more because Booster Gold and Blue Beetle purchased entire stores worth of packages.

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Martian Manhunter hasn’t appeared in the DCU yet, but some audiences might be familiar with the character. Harry Lennix’s Calvin Swanwick was revealed to be the DC Extended Universe’s Martian Manhunter. Lennix got the opportunity to bring the character to life in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. That marks the only time Martian Manhunter has been in a live-action film, though he has been adapted in other mediums.

While Gunn’s post doesn’t confirm Martian Manhunter’s arrival in the DCU is imminent (it’s mainly just a fun Easter egg for comics fans), it will still invite speculation that the character could be featured in an upcoming project soon. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Martian Manhunter become part of the franchise at some point. He is one of the original members of the Justice League, making him one of DC’s most important characters. Since he hasn’t truly been featured in live-action before, his inclusion in the DCU would be an exciting development, giving viewers a chance to see a hero who hasn’t been explored in-depth on the big screen before.

The biggest question is where or when could fans see Martian Manhunter. Since taking over DC Studios, Gunn has maintained that no project will begin production before a script is completed. There are several DCU projects in various stages of development, but it’s too early in the process to say if Martian Manhunter will factor into any of them. The Justice League doesn’t even exist in the DCU yet, so it could be a couple of years at least before Martian Manhunter makes his DCU debut. Whenever that comes to pass, he should be able to snack on some delicious Chocos cookies.

The post James Gunn Is Teasing a Major Justice League Hero’s DCU Debut in the Best Way appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn’s Superman reboot has only been in theaters for two weeks, but it has already generated a massive amount of buzz and conversation related to the title hero. From Superman Returns to Man of Steel, some of the more recent solo films starring the DC icon have been heavily criticized upon release, either for leaning too heavily into nostalgia or deviating too much from the true heart of the character. Gunn’s entry, however, attempts to find a careful balance between the old and the new by referring back to the comics (and the iconic Christopher Reeve films) but without being bound by them.

For some viewers, this take on Superman was greeted as a modern day love letter to one of the world’s most recognizable fictional characters, whereas others were critical of the many reinventions Gunn added to Superman and his lore, and the way in which those changes challenge everything fans thought they knew. Here are the five biggest ways Superman changed the comics, and whether or not those bold swings brought the character to soaring new heights. 

5) The Justice Gang Isn’t a Thing in the Comics

In Superman, a new superhero team known as the Justice Gang were introduced – composed of Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific. It’s explained that the group are an initiative created and funded by Maxwell Lord, and while all of these characters exist in DC comics, there’s no official team known as the “Justice Gang” in the source material. Rather, these characters are typically seen in other large scale team up forums like the Justice League, or, in the case of Guy Gardner, the Green Lantern Corps. 

In many ways, the Justice Gang operates how audiences would expect the similarly named Justice League would. Although tat group is still to come in this new DC universe, for now, the Justice Gang was arguably one of the highlights of the film. Mister Terrific has since become a fan favorite following the release of the film, so much so that an HBO Max spin-off series is reportedly in development. Moreover, with the presence of Gardner’s Green Lantern, Superman also exists as a backdoor pilot of sorts for Green Lantern Corps, another show set to arrive on streaming next year. While the Justice Gang certainly aren’t the Justice League, they do still serve their purpose well, challenging Clark Kent’s evolving worldview throughout the story and providing a fresh narrative device viewers haven’t seen before.

4) Ultraman’s Origins Are Rewritten Entirely

Another major deviation from the comics comes with the appearance of Lex Luthor’s ultimate weapon, Ultraman, who exists as an evil Kryptonian doppelgänger of Superman. In DC Comics, Ultraman is a from a parallel universe (Earth-3) in which the planet Krypton hasn’t been destroyed. He works alongside the Crime Syndicate, which itself is a villainous counterpart to the Justice League. That version of Ultraman was addicted to Kryptonite and operated as a tyrant, but he was always established as a distinct multiversal variant. 

In Superman, Gunn opted to change Ultraman’s origins entirely. Rather than being from an alternate universe, the villain is instead a product of Lex Luthor’s scientific experiments in a twisted attempt to create a Superman-like being that would do his being. He’s a genetically engineered clone with no ties to Earth-3 (or any other universe), no multiversal origin, and, instead, exists as a haunting reality of what Clark could have become if it wasn’t for the love and affection from his adoptive parents. Overall, it’s this emotional backing that makes Ultraman’s changes a success, and although it’s a sharp departure from the comics’ broader multiverse lore, it allows the audience to feel greater attachment to Superman come the end of the film. 

3) Krypto Is Much More of a Menace

Krypto, the handy canine sidekick of Superman (and Supergirl), was a core highlight among fans and critics upon the release of Superman. In the film, Krypto is shown to be a mischievous, unpredictable, impulsive, and occasionally explosive dog capable of almost anything at any moment. Superman even acknowledges these behavioral concerns in the film, saying that “he may not even be a good dog” before explaining that Krypto still deserves to be rescued from Lex Luthor’s pocket universe. 

Gunn’s take on Krypto is actually an inverse of how the dog is typically depicted in the comics. In the source material, Krypto is almost always shown to be obedient, loyal, and well-trained, and while he might occasionally be the cause of chaos as the result of the powers he holds, he’s still a reliable companion alongside the heroes rather than a lovable menace as he is in the film. Gunn choosing to use Krypto as a comedic tool was clearly a popular twist, as fans enjoyed seeing him chew through alien weaponry, tackling teammates spontaneously, flying off mid-mission to chase birds, and becoming an unintentional thorn in the side of the Justice Gang. Krypto still being a heroic, but also far more chaotic and animalistic than his comic book counterpart is a fun twist that adds significant heart to the new film, showcasing a way in which Gunn adapted the source material for the better. 

2) Jonathan Kent Is Still Alive—and His Presence Reshapes Clark’s Journey

One of the more subtle but emotionally significant changes Gunn makes in Superman is Jonathan Kent still being alive as his adopted son is an active superhero in Metropolis. Many Superman stories, both on screen and in the comics, show the death of Jonathan Kent as a major moment in the life of Clark Kent. In 2013’s Man of Steel, for example, Jonathan’s death is used as a turning point for Clark, and one that allows him to full grasp the responsibility that comes with his powers along with his compassion for humanity. 

While Jonathan’s absence has typically shaped Superman’s inner psyche, Gunn switches that entirely. The character, played with humility and gentleness by Pruitt Taylor Vince, is now a grounding force in Clark’s life that allows him to tap into his humanity in his darkest moment. As a result, Jonathan’s death isn’t a catalyst for Clark. Instead, his very existence is, and is a sharp contrast to decades of storytelling tradition. Given the twist regarding Clark’s biological parents (more on that shortly), this change up from the comics works as it allows the title character to still have a strong father-son chemistry and, more importantly, add even more emotional authenticity to the story. A major criticism of Zack Snyder’s iteration of the Man of Steel is the lack of emotional connection that comes with showing Superman as a god-like figure rather than a human being, but with this Jonathan Kent change, this new version of the character becomes more relatable to audiences, which can only be a good thing moving forward. 

1) Superman’s Parents Have a Secret Agenda

By far the biggest and most controversial change that James Gunn made to the traditional Superman lore revolves around the character’s birth parents. In almost every comic story, Jor-El and Lara send their son to Earth out of love and desperation as their planet is being destroyed. Their world is dying, and Earth represents the only chance of survival for their son. The message they send with Kal-El is typically heartfelt, and allows him to recognize his biological origins at the same time as the Kent’s.

In Superman, that message has been edited, quite literally. Lex Luthor reveals to the world that Jor-El’s message is not one of love or affection, but instead is rooted in the survival and power of the Kryptonian people. Audiences learn that the original transmission sent with Kal-El gives him the instruction of ruling Earth, removing anyone that stands in his way, and even securing the long term future of the species by taking many wives. This then re-frames the entire origin story of the character, as Jor-El and Lara weren’t selfless parents desperately trying to save their son. Rather, they planned on resurrecting their civilization by conquering and ruling another planet by any means necessary. Interestingly, this is a story shocker that also took place in the television series, Smallville, so there is some precedent for the decision, albeit not in the comics.

This twist works, and works very well, because of the way in which it forces Superman to directly address his Kryptonian legacy and, more specifically, double down on the values instilled by his Earth parents. It’s a massive shakeup to the mythos of the character, but one that adds an extra layer of moral complexity to the story, and aids in the emotional bond between Superman and the audience. 

The post 5 Ways James Gunn Changed Superman Comics (And Did They All Work?) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman plunged fans into the deepest reaches of DC Universe lore, introducing the concept of interdimensional portals, superpowered beings of all kinds, and, yes, even evil clones. SPOILERS: As many fans theorized before the Superman‘s release, the mysterious masked villain “Ultraman” working for Lex Luthor was a clone of Clark Kent/Superman, with actor David Corenswet playing both parts. The climactic act of the film saw Superman and Ultraman trade blows across Metropolis, as Lex Luthor’s interdimensional portal threatened to tear the city apart literally.

Even two weeks after Superman‘s release, James Gunn and DC Studios are still being very careful about letting any spoilers about the Ultraman twist reveal leak to the public. Less cautious, however, was Superman actress María Gabriela De Faría, who shared the first photo of Corenswet as Ultraman, unmasked, with the caption, “David Corenswet as you know who.”

María Gabriela De Faría played Angela Spica (aka The Engineer), a former soldier-turned-nanotech cyborg who serves as a member of Lex Luthor’s “PlanetWatch” squad, alongside Ultraman. As such, she had a lot of scenes – including some major action sequences – alongside Ultraman. That seems to be exactly the kind of moment that De Faría captured in the photo above.

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The Instagram post seems to have been deleted (at the time of writing this), most likely because this behind-the-scenes look jumps the gun(n) on DC Studios for officially releasing still images of Ultraman unmasked being released. At the moment, many DC fans would love to get a closer look at Corenswet as Ultraman; there is a very big theory that we haven’t seen the last of the character in the DCU. Superman only bested his clone by knocking the mindless brute into a black hole within the portal rift; as the theory goes, Ultraman will have a brutal return trip back to Earth ahead of him, and when he arrives, he’ll have become Superman’s twisted, backwards-talking foe, Bizarro.

Even though it was telegraphed early on that Ultraman was a Superman clone, it was still impressive to see David Corenswet take on that additional role and sell the Superman vs. Ultraman twin slugfest. If fans had any doubts about Corenswet’s talent and range as an actor, they can put them to bed.

Superman is now playing in theaters.

The post First Photo of David Corenswet’s Surprise Second Character in Superman Released by DC appeared first on ComicBook.com.