The Success of James Gunn's SUPERMAN Is More Crucial to WB Than Anyone Realized
The stakes for Superman are even higher than we thought. It’s not just about launching James Gunn’s DC Universe… Warner Bros. Discovery’s future as a whole could depend on it. And now, there’s talk that Peter Safran, one half of the DC Studios leadership team, could be shifting roles to take over Warner Bros. Pictures.
Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy’s time as Warner Bros. Pictures co-chiefs has been rough. Outside of Barbie, the studio has struggled to produce consistent hits. The latest disappointment? Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17, which has been met with an underwhelming response.
Then there’s Joker: Folie à Deux. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has been pushing cost-cutting measures, yet the studio gave Todd Phillips $200 million to make what is essentially a high-budget musical sequel designed to satisfy his and Joaquin Phoenix’s creative itch.
Zaslav is already unpopular in Hollywood for scrapping Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme and he is reportedly considering making a major shake-up by replacing De Luca and Abdy. One name at the top of the list? Peter Safran. If that happens, James Gunn would be left running DC Studios solo. Or another could replace Safran.
The pressure on Superman has escalated significantly. According to Puck, the film has taken on an "almost incalculable importance" for Warner Bros. Discovery.
There’s real fear that the company could suffer the same fate as 20th Century Fox, struggling to stay afloat until a larger entity swoops in and absorbs it.
One industry veteran laid it out clearly: "An essential element of the stock price is believing that the I.P. of DC is meaningful. David [Zaslav] bet big that they can show the world that the DC I.P. can have real value. Superman is the first movie. That will set the tone. They have a tremendous amount riding on it."
We’ve all assumed that Superman flopping would spell trouble for DC Studios. But we now know it’s bigger than that. If Gunn’s reboot underperforms, it could jeopardize the entire studio.
WB is banking on its DCU slate to be a guaranteed box office draw, but that’s a tall order when the brand is already damaged, and superhero fatigue is in full swing.
While I’m excited to see Gunn’s Superman, I don’t think it will be the runaway hit that WB hopes it will be. This isn’t going to be a billion dollar box office movie. If the movie is great, I hope it hits the high box office numbers! But even if it is great, it’s no guaranteed that people are going to show up at theaters to watch it.
Superman is set to be the first major test. Directed by Gunn, the film promises a fresh take on the Man of Steel which will balance epic action, humor, and heart with a Superman who embodies compassion and a belief in humanity’s goodness.
David Corenswet takes on the iconic role, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film also features Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, and more.
Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025. For Warner Bros. Discovery, that date might be more than just a movie release—it could be a turning point for the entire company.