DC Studios Co-Chair Explains Why James Gunn's SUPERMAN Won't Be At Comic-Con

Peter Safran runs DC Studios alongside James Gunn and in a new interview, he revealed why the new studio is skipping SDCC this year.

By MarkJulian - Jul 26, 2024 08:07 AM EST

Filed Under: Comic-Con

According to DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran, it's just way too soon for DC Studios to have a Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con.

In an interview with The Wrap, Safran stated, “From my perspective, it’s just too soon. A year is truthfully a long time for a campaign and so, from our perspective, I think we go stronger and harder over a shorter period, rather than stretching it out. That’s our instinct on that. Believe me, there’s gonna be no shortage of Superman in your life over the next 12 months.”

Safan's answer is definitely a bit of a headscratcher and makes us wonder if something else is in play, behind the scenes.

There are plenty of past instances of studios showing up at SDCC to announce and/or promote projects that were more than a year out. In the past, cast and crew for several superhero projects have often flown in overnight to attend a panel and then quickly traveled back to their set as soon as the event ended.

Plus, Superman is currently slated to hit North American theaters on July 11, 2025, so this would've been the only chance for the film to have a presence at SDCC before it hits theaters.

Earlier this month, Variety confirmed that although DC Studios won't have an official panel at SDCC, they're still expected to drop some major news during the event.

Based on the other projects slated to arrive as part of the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate, what news are you hoping to see revealed? Rumors for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Batman The Brave and the Bold and Lanterns all seem to be intensifying.

The James Gunn-directed (and written) film stars David Corenswet as Kal-El/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Rounding out the cast are Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/The Engineer, Terence Rosemore as Otis, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.

Additionally, Nicholas Hoult has been confirmed by Gunn to portray Lex Luthor in the film. Milly Alcock was also recently cast as Supergirl and is also expected (but unconfirmed) to appear, as well.

More recently Pruitt Taylor Vince was cast as Jonathan 'Pa' Kent, while Neva Howell signed on to play Martha 'Ma' Kent.

Currently set for release on July 11, 2025, ~~Superman: Legacy~~ Superman is the first film in Gunn's reboot of the DCEU.

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27 Comments

DeadClunge - 7/26/2024, 8:17 AM

😅😅

No confidence in the project atm.

There is 0 reason why we can't see a teaser like the dark Knight/ Mos teasers.

Even a brief clip of the emblem with David's voice saying something hopeful or inspiring would have been enough.

🤣

JobinJ - 7/26/2024, 8:19 AM

@DeadClunge - “There is 0 reason”

Who made you in charge of there production? Who the [frick] are you??? How would you know?

JobinJ - 7/26/2024, 8:19 AM

@JobinJ - their*

DeadClunge - 7/26/2024, 8:34 AM

@JobinJ - me bitch who else.

Who TF am I? I'm yo fada so that's how I know

FireandBlood - 7/26/2024, 9:25 AM

@DeadClunge - Exactly, because those long form promotions did bits for those projects. They're sitting on this like they’ve got pre-built hype, when it’s the exact opposite. Their brand recognition is totally toxic, so they need to be doing everything to change that perception, and the fact the image they released was already met with a mixed a response, they should be putting in overtime.

Now when the movie struggles to break even, they’re going to act dumbfounded like it wasn’t their fault.

DeadClunge - 7/26/2024, 9:45 AM

@FireandBlood - exactly!

Maybe Gunn is surrounded by yes men and is probably reading into all the positivity coming from people ready to glaze his nuts but the hype isn't as big as they think 🤣

also the teaser for the Batman was released August 2020 and the film came out March 22... i know there was covid delays but their excuse is compete bull shit lmao

MotherGooseUPus - 7/26/2024, 8:19 AM

Doesn't make ANY sense to not show something for Superman. Unless he is afraid of being overshadowed by Marvel? IDK. At this point, i would love to hear some casting news for Supergirl, a NEW director for Batman Brave and Bold and maybe even some casting for that... but i doubt it

HermanM - 7/26/2024, 8:21 AM

The Dark Knight had a teaser trailer over a year before its release:

It wasn't much, just some voices, only audio, no actual footage, so it is not unheard of for a studio to do that this early, however every movie goes at its own pace in terms of production and as much as I'd love to see footage, if Gunn doesn't think it's best to do yet, then it is better not to.

McMurdo - 7/26/2024, 8:22 AM

@HermanM - Yeah that doesn't count. That's literally voice over.

Nolanite - 7/26/2024, 9:31 AM

@HermanM - thank you for sharing this, you just made my day and most likely my weekend.
Nolanite out

McMurdo - 7/26/2024, 8:21 AM

Superbowl

HermanM - 7/26/2024, 8:24 AM

We may get a teaser with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, in my opinion, at the earliest.

Doomsday8888 - 7/26/2024, 8:38 AM

"Believe me, there’s gonna be no shortage of Superman in your life over the next 12 months.”

Oh i don't need Gunn's Superman for my Superman dose, Peter.

Just got done with My Adventures with Superman and Superman & Lois is just around the corner, plus...my usual comics are still there. :)

TheVisionary25 - 7/26/2024, 8:46 AM

While I disagree , I do get Safran’s perspective though..

Since the movie is very close to wrapping if it hasn’t already then it would have been nice to go to SDCC and give fans a treat since we know Gunn has been editing the film aswell alongside shooting while also giving themselves an idea to how fans are responding to it this early aswell.

However , it seems Safran has a different thought process behind marketing which could work so we’ll though ultimately I feel them being at SDCC or not won’t do much harm or help in the long run.

Also we know Gunn is in charge of the creative side while Safran is in charge of the business and this seems to be his idea so hopefully people blaming Gunn can lay off a bit on him for this (until I’m sure they’ll find another reason).

ProfessorWhy - 7/26/2024, 8:47 AM

I think after the response to the first pic of the suit , they decided to hold off on anymore unpolished and way to early glimpses. Can't blame them. I hate the suit so far

TheVisionary25 - 7/26/2024, 8:55 AM

Pipe dream for the possible DCU news this week..

We got casting of Brandon Sklenar as DCU Bruce Wayne/Batman alongside Claudia Doumit as Talia Al Ghul.

In reality , I could see it being Lanterns or Supergirl casting news (probably the latter) and a Creature Commandos trailer.

braunermegda - 7/26/2024, 8:57 AM

I mean, he's not wrong. No one's remember Kraven, for instance, and the trailer came out more than a year ago. They should do it right in the prior 2 months of the release date and then go hard, tons of videos, images, etc. Hence Deadpool and Wolverine.

BobGarlen - 7/26/2024, 8:59 AM

As sad as it is we're not getting anything big, I kinda agree. They need to have the first trailer be Flawless and the movie isn't wrapped and the effects have a long way to go. Save the first look for the Super Bowl or for a DC Fandome.

TheShape9859 - 7/26/2024, 8:59 AM

This was a mistake. It won't he at ComicCon next year either. They dropped the ball on this. Unless they surprise us with a little something....but I don't think they will

vectorsigma - 7/26/2024, 9:05 AM

Its D&W time, Gunn is giving his old boss a break and dont want to steal its thunder. It goes both ways tbh.

#InGunnWeTrust

Timerider - 7/26/2024, 9:17 AM

Move the movie out a month to August 11, promote the movie, bring the actors out on stage, two or three weeks later it arrives in theaters. That’s what I would do.

FireandBlood - 7/26/2024, 9:22 AM

Tell us you’re not confident in the film without telling us

Nolanite - 7/26/2024, 9:28 AM

As an insider of some sorts, all I can say is just wait. DC Studios is not missing Comic Con. No major panel happening but there's a few surprises coming this weekend.
You're welcome.
Nolanite out

DeadClunge - 7/26/2024, 9:57 AM

@Nolanite - it better be something good 🤣

TheLight - 7/26/2024, 10:04 AM

Maybe we'll get something for NYComicCon. Fingers crossed.

Forthas - 7/26/2024, 10:14 AM

"Earlier this month, Variety confirmed that although DC Studios won't have an official panel at SDCC, they're still expected to drop some major news during the event."

The news will be they are changing the name from "Superman" to "The Entire DC Universe...and Superman is in here too"

YouFlopped - 7/26/2024, 10:17 AM

They don’t want no smoke rightful so…

y’all is henry still attending comic con? he signed the contract right?

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DC Studios Co-Chair Explains Why James Gunn's SUPERMAN Won't Be At Comic-Con

Peter Safran runs DC Studios alongside James Gunn and in a new interview, he revealed why the new studio is skipping SDCC this year.

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