Superman: Billion-Dollar Blockbuster or Box Office Kryptonite?

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According to a recent article, just as Superman confronts towering challenges, so too does James Gunn’s Superman film. The success of this movie carries immense weight and importance.

It’s said if Gunn’s Superman isn’t a big success that “a lot of people will be in trouble.”

Warner Bros. Marketing Shake-Up Raises Questions

Information about Superman stems from a report by Variety, detailing Warner Bros.’ recent dismissal of global marketing chief Josh Goldstine. The specific reasons behind this move are still vague, but it seems plausible that Variety is on point in suggesting a connection to cost-saving measures. I’ve heard for quite some time that WBD is financially strapped (I’ve been informed that Zaslav requested Gunn to recast DC using less expensive talent).

Furiosa and Joker 2 Failures Spark Debate

The site suggests that the flops of both _Furiosa_ and _Joker 2_ might be to blame, but I beg to differ. In my opinion, _Furiosa_ was just another film about female empowerment that wasn’t necessarily desired, and _Joker 2_ was simply a dreadful sequel. Regardless of the marketing efforts, those movies were unlikely to become hits.

In relation to James Gunn’s Superman, the report includes a comment from an unidentified studio executive, expressing optimism about the movie’s box office performance. However, they express uncertainty about the fate of Warner Bros.’ other upcoming films.

It’s intriguing that they’re carrying out this executive reshuffle at a time when their next five films appear to be in dire straits. Given the anticipated success of ‘Superman’, it seems peculiar that everything else on their upcoming lineup remains uncertain.

Warner Bros. Banking on a Billion-Dollar Superman

According to Variety, it’s anticipated that James Gunn’s Superman film could potentially become a billion-dollar blockbuster for Warner Bros., serving as their major prospect. After watching the trailer, which I found underwhelming, my guess was that the movie might barely make $400 million (although I acknowledge that figure might be too optimistic). The view count of the trailer doesn’t hold any significance.

It’s important to mention that when Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel fell short of earning a billion dollars, the studio abandoned plans for Man of Steel 2 and another project, initially titled The Batman, featuring a younger Batman in his second year as a superhero (does this sound familiar?). Instead, they opted for Ben Affleck, which ultimately led to the chaos that unfolded in the DCEU. Now, if Gunn’s Superman doesn’t meet the billion-dollar mark, what might happen next is an interesting question.

The Stakes for Superman and the Future of the DCU

Variety says:

This development significantly increases the already enormous pressure on “Superman,” as it marks the reintroduction of the DC Universe under the leadership of Gunn and Safran. The movie represents the studio’s primary opportunity to produce a blockbuster worth a billion dollars in 2025, but not even Superman can withstand the box office poison known as Kryptonite. This action-packed superhero tale is launching at a challenging moment for the genre that was once considered invincible.

The piece additionally features comments from Dean Stephen Galloway of Chapman University’s film school, who remarks that July 11 holds significant importance for Warner Bros., James Gunn, and the DC Universe.

In the studio, everyone has a time limit set by the ticking clock. On July 11th, which is referred to as D-Day by Galloway, marks the day when Clark Kent returns to the big screen. If Superman doesn’t manage to land on the shores of Normandy, there could be a lot of complications for many people.

Supergirl, Lanterns, and the Future of the DCU

As a fan, I’m excited to share that apart from the ongoing filming of “Superman,” set to hit screens on June 26, 2026, there are other thrilling projects in the pipeline. For instance, “Supergirl” is under production, and they’ve roped in Jason Momoa as Lobo to bring some masculine energy into the mix. The “Lanterns” series is slated to begin filming soon, while “Peacemaker” Season 2 is due for release later this year. Moreover, the “Creature Commandos” has been given a nod for a second season. If “Superman” falters, it seems the DCU will persist, but for how long remains to be seen. I’ve also heard rumors that Zaslav is preparing Warner Bros. Discovery for a sale, a plan that’s been in motion for quite some time now.

Matt Reeves’ Batman and the DCU: Will They Unite?

It has also been proposed that Gunn desires for Matt Reeves’ version of Batman to be included in the DC Universe. There are rumors suggesting that Reeves is holding off on making a decision about merging universes, waiting to observe how well Gunn’s upcoming Superman film performs this summer before taking action.

On July 11th, James Gunn’s “Superman” movie is scheduled to premiere, featuring David Corenswet as the titular character. Given the significant weight of its performance for Warner Bros. and the DC Universe, there’s immense anticipation about how well this highly-awaited film will do at the box office.

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2025-01-18 00:31