Superman Flops Financially: $350M Budget, Still No Profit (Scoop Confirmed)

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We’re learning more about the budget for James Gunn’s *Superman* movie, and early numbers suggest it might not be very profitable. This aligns with information I received from sources at Comic-Con back in July.

The studio first stated the movie cost $225 million to make, but recent reports from Variety show another $125 million was used for marketing. This brings the total cost to $350 million, which matches information we received from a source familiar with the project.

The Math Isn’t in Superman’s Favor

Forbes recently analyzed the movie’s box office earnings and explained how revenue is shared with cinemas. They pointed out that:

Because movie theaters typically keep half of the money from ticket sales, *Superman* earned almost $308 million from its time in theaters.

And that’s before even factoring in residuals, backend points, and other post-release costs:

Even though *Superman* earned $308 million, not including additional costs, it still made less than the $350 million Warner Bros. invested in producing and promoting the movie.

The Break-Even Bar Was Too High

Like we talked about before, making *Superman* cost a huge $350 million. To simply *break even* – you know, get all the money back – it would have needed to earn at least $875 million worldwide. That’s because the movie business usually figures a film needs to make about 2.5 times its budget to cover costs.

The film’s box office numbers haven’t met expectations, and some scenes – like the widely discussed ‘squirrel moment’ and a cut argument involving Lois Lane – haven’t been well-received. This suggests that *Superman* could be a major financial gamble for James Gunn’s new DC Universe.

We’ve also heard from our sources that the upcoming *Fantastic Four* movie is facing similar issues, and is currently expected to perform even worse than the recent *Superman* film.

What’s next for James Gunn’s DCU?

James Gunn is already planning more DC Universe projects after *Superman*, and the next several years are going to be full of new content – though not everyone agrees with the direction it’s taking.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

The next DC film will be *Supergirl*, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026. Milly Alcock will star as Supergirl, and Jason Momoa will reprise his role as Lobo, with a larger part in the movie. The film is inspired by the *Woman of Tomorrow* comic book series by Tom King, who is also helping to shape the DC Universe’s direction.

Clayface Movie

The movie about Clayface is still in development and is now scheduled to be released on September 11, 2026. Tom Rhys Harries will play the main villain, Matt Hagen, who is known for his ability to change shape. This film will be the first horror movie in James Gunn’s new DC Universe series.

Man of Tomorrow

James Gunn is working on a follow-up to the recent *Superman* movie, called *Man of Tomorrow*. David Corenswet will return as Superman, and Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor. The movie is scheduled to come out on July 9, 2027, and the story may involve a team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor facing off against Brainiac.

Peacemaker Season 2 and a New Series

The final episode of Peacemaker Season 2 airs this Thursday. Director James Gunn has suggested that a new show with some of the same characters is already being planned. While details are still under wraps, more information is expected to be released shortly.

Lanterns

The series, Lanterns, is scheduled to debut on HBO and be available on Max in early 2026. Filming has just finished, and the show will have eight episodes.

The series stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. It also features Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry, and Nathan Fillion returning as Guy Gardner, a role he previously played in the DC Universe.

The series starts with a murder investigation in a small town, but it will quickly expand into a science fiction story. Sources say the show will have a darker, more adult tone, and may even contain strong language and graphic content, potentially earning an R-rating.

Political Divide and Corporate Uncertainty

Even with a lot of projects already announced, James Gunn’s DC Universe is still sparking debate. Some fans have voiced concerns about the themes and messages in shows like *Creature Commandos*, *Peacemaker*, and *Superman*, suggesting Gunn is injecting his personal views into the stories.

There’s also uncertainty happening with the company that owns DC Comics, Warner Bros. Discovery. Reports suggest it might be sold, with Netflix and a combination of Paramount and Skydance as possible buyers. If that happens, it could cause big changes for DC—once more.

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2025-10-09 01:02