James Gunn Has Lost the DC Audience — Now What?

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The initial enthusiasm for James Gunn’s plans for the DC Universe has faded. What was supposed to be a new beginning for DC movies has become another disappointing situation, and many fans are losing interest.

Look, as a critic, I’m seeing a real problem with the new DC Universe. After *Superman* didn’t quite hit the mark and *Peacemaker* Season 2 seemed to barely make a splash, it’s pretty clear James Gunn hasn‘t been able to recapture the audience he was brought in to win over. It’s a worrying sign this early on.

The new “Superman Family” series was intended to be uplifting, but it seems fans who previously supported James Gunn have lost interest.

The Fan Disconnect

Success isn’t just measured by how much money a movie makes; it’s about earning the audience’s trust. Fans are tired of storylines being constantly restarted, broken promises, and confusion over what’s officially part of the story.

The Batman and Joker from previous films exist in separate continuities. Most of the characters from the earlier, darker films have been removed, except for a few that James Gunn has decided to carry over, primarily from *The Suicide Squad* and *Peacemaker*. Gunn often features his wife and brother in his projects, and his preference for comedy doesn’t quite work with the serious tone expected from characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

Even people who just occasionally watch are puzzled – is this show a fresh start, or just a rehash of old ideas? It’s unclear, and frankly, most viewers aren’t even interested in finding out.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The numbers are discouraging. While *Superman* earned $615 million globally, it only just broke even, which is a poor showing for the first movie in what was intended to be a new film series.

As a movie fan, it was really disappointing to hear that *Superman* didn’t do well, especially overseas. Studios often count on international audiences to help cover costs and make a film profitable, and it sounds like this one just didn’t manage to do that. Reports say it completely flopped and didn’t even break even, even after being in cinemas for months.

According to Nielsen data, *Superman* didn’t perform as well as *Black Adam* in terms of total streaming minutes. Additionally, the second season of *Peacemaker* didn’t rank among the top 10 most-watched shows. Samba TV confirmed this decline, showing that almost 40% fewer households watched the season finale compared to the first season. James Gunn has also announced that *Peacemaker* will not be returning for a third season.

For a franchise that needed to grow its audience, that’s a complete collapse.

Gunn’s Leadership Under Fire

Rumors are circulating about the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, especially if Paramount were to buy it. Sources say that James Gunn’s DC Universe plans might be canceled if new management takes over.

There’s already internal conflict at Warner Bros. Discovery. Some writers and filmmakers are unhappy with James Gunn’s leadership, especially because of reports that he’s been changing their scripts and adding political themes.

According to a source speaking with CBN earlier this year, while his contract wasn’t officially renewed, his recent behavior suggests what the outcome will likely be.

What’s Actually Coming Next

Currently, James Gunn doesn’t have many projects scheduled. He’s only confirmed to direct *Man of Tomorrow*, which he intends to film next year – the same year his current contract ends.

Following the completion of filming for *Lanterns*, *Supergirl*, *Clayface*, and *Man of Tomorrow*, there are currently no other DC Universe (DCU) movies or TV shows officially in development. If these are the only projects to move forward, they could represent the conclusion of James Gunn’s vision for the DCU.

On top of all the existing questions, Warner Bros., led by Mike De Luca, recently scheduled the release of *Minecraft 2* only two weeks after James Gunn’s *Man of Tomorrow*. This suggests the studio might be changing what it focuses on.

The Future of DC on Film

With James Gunn potentially leaving, who might take over? One possibility is Mike De Luca, a film executive known for discovering the writer of Blade and creating the successful The Conjuring series. He’s considered a supportive leader who prioritizes good stories over publicity.

Many fans want Zack Snyder to direct a film adaptation of Frank Miller’s iconic The Dark Knight Returns, which features an older Batman and Superman. Snyder has stated this is the only DC project he’d be interested in revisiting, and it could potentially win back viewers who haven’t connected with James Gunn’s current “Superman Family” approach. Recently, Snyder sparked excitement online by posting about Henry Cavill as Superman, generating a huge reaction from fans.

Can DC Recover?

Honestly, as a fan, things just don’t feel quite right with the brand lately. I’m trying to be optimistic about James Gunn’s plans for *Supergirl* and *Clayface*, but I’m not seeing a lot of buzz, and I worry those projects won’t really capture the public’s imagination. It feels like we’re a bit lost at sea right now.

James Gunn initially envisioned a positive and exciting new direction for the DC Universe. However, the latest reboot has proven controversial and hasn’t resonated with fans as well as previous iterations.

The real issue isn’t if James Gunn can improve things, but whether Warner Bros. will give him the chance to do so.

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2025-10-20 06:32