James Gunn Sets The Record Straight On WONDER WOMAN Casting Rumors As SUPERMAN Soars Past $300M Worldwide

James Gunn Sets The Record Straight On WONDER WOMAN Casting Rumors As SUPERMAN Soars Past $300M Worldwide

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has set the record straight on those recent Wonder Woman casting rumours, and whether it's really being "fast-tracked." Superman, meanwhile, has hit the $300 million mark.

By JoshWilding - Jul 18, 2025 03:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

Following reports that DC Studios is fast-tracking a Wonder Woman movie, rumours are already swirling about Diana Prince's DCU debut. 

Today, we've heard that James Gunn and Peter Safran are looking to cast an actress with a television background, similar to Supergirl star Milly Alcock (a relative unknown, in other words). It's also been reported that the studio will primarily consider those from a Mediterranean background. 

Well, Gunn has just debunked these rumours by setting the record straight on where things stand with the DCU's Wonder Woman. Responding to a fan on Threads, the Superman director explained, "I'd never in a million years look for a major role based on whether they did TV, films, or whatever. It's all about the casting. I didn't cast Milly because of her past, but because she was the best one for the role."

He added, "But we're also not casting [Wonder Woman], nor even discussing it, until a script is finished." Gunn later clarified whether Wonder Woman is being "fast-tracked," as the trades first reported earlier this week. 

"[Wonder Woman is] a priority but I wouldn't call that fast-tracked," the DC Studios co-CEO pointed out. "Nothing is going to be shot unless we're as sure as we can be that the script is good."

It's hard to escape the feeling that there might be some pressure on DC Studios to get Wonder Woman into theaters, especially with 2027 currently lacking a big DCU movie (next year, the studio will try its luck with Superman follow-up Supergirl and the low-budget horror movie, Clayface). When it comes to The Brave and the Bold, that appears to be in a similar spot to Wonder Woman

In related news, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Superman passed $300 million at the worldwide box office yesterday. $177.7 million of that comes from North America, where the Man of Steel received a boost from strong midweek ticket sales.

Superman should easily soar past Thunderbolts* ($383 million) and Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million), but how high it can eventually go remains to be seen. 

Superman, DC Studios' first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures.

In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.  

"Superman is an indescribable joy," we said in our review"A beautiful, moving thrill, David Corenswet is the perfect Man of Steel in a movie packed full of ideas. Fortunately, under James Gunn’s expert direction, all of those work, creating a rousing experience that flies higher than DC has in a very long time."

The movie stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Also appearing are Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, and Milly Alcock.

Superman is now playing in theaters.

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Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 3:08 PM
"BuT iT's A fLoP!!1!"
Patient2670
Patient2670 - 7/18/2025, 3:41 PM
@Latverian - What's a flop?
Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 3:48 PM
@Patient2670 -





Patient2670
Patient2670 - 7/18/2025, 4:24 PM
@Latverian - Um... Ok... I guess?
Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 4:56 PM
@Patient2670 -

Read the tone, mate.
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 7/18/2025, 3:09 PM
It seems like Gunn is just playing with words here, but I get it, he can't say anything official until contracts are signed and whatnot.
comicfan100
comicfan100 - 7/18/2025, 3:11 PM
I don't understand why some users come to a site called "comicbookmovie.com" and root for the downfall of every cbm that comes out. This has to be one of the most miserable places for movie discourse on the internet.
DTor91
DTor91 - 7/18/2025, 3:18 PM
@comicfan100 - Wasn’t like this many years ago, and that’s all that floods the site now.
RolandD
RolandD - 7/18/2025, 3:19 PM
@comicfan100 - There are still some of us who want to talk about movies and hope for their success but I absolutely get what you are saying. I got irritated enough to comment about it last night whenever I was complaining about tracksuit Mole Man. Could his outfit look better but just having him as an earl, if not first challenge for the FF is a win.
AnEye
AnEye - 7/18/2025, 3:21 PM
@comicfan100 - This site should be renamed comicbookmoviebitching.com at this point.
RedFury
RedFury - 7/18/2025, 3:23 PM
@comicfan100 - I think it's honestly a problem with the world right now. We're all in a weird moment of hatefulness; hell here we are complaining about the complaining lol. I wish people would open there minds and hearts and not be so negative; but I just don't think any of us know how to navigate life with the extreme amount of divisive opinions that are thrust apon us in comment sections, and opinion pieces. Never before in humanity have we had access to so much information, and I think it's absolutely messing with all of us.

Back when this stuff didn't exist, people were likely happier for no other reason than ignorance is bliss. Now our ignorance to other people's opinions has been shattered, and we're all stuck in a hole of frustration.

Having a voice is great, but every single idiot in the world making uneducated statements that come from an emotional state of being is not. The happiest people I know seem to be the ones living their lives off the internet/comment sections.

That's my thought on the matter anyways haha
gambgel
gambgel - 7/18/2025, 3:25 PM
@comicfan100 - because many people are unhappy persons.

And they have to hate something to try to feel (just a little bit) better.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/18/2025, 3:47 PM
@comicfan100 - comingsoon.net had reply’s from people some negative forgot reason I stopped going there maybe there news is slow or some news I find out they don’t post
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/18/2025, 3:48 PM
@gambgel - it depends some life situations , movies they don’t like , relationship issues , work, driving , who knows what will make them feel that most I have not mentioned
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 7/18/2025, 3:50 PM
@comicfan100 - These people aren't comic book fans, they're corporate fans.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/18/2025, 3:51 PM
@comicfan100 - I know right?

Like I completely understand if you aren’t enjoying this stuff but if so then why not just do or watch something else that interests you now like a healthy human being…

I feel like some people are just hate watching this shit now and I just don’t get it.
28ClungesLater
28ClungesLater - 7/18/2025, 4:04 PM
@comicfan100 - dates right back to 2008! 👀
Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 4:18 PM
@comicfan100 -

Recognize intent.
MR
MR - 7/18/2025, 4:22 PM
@comicfan100 - I put some of that blame on the people that run this website. They post rumours and spoilers like they breathe. It’s actually damaging.
Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 4:51 PM
@28ClungesLater -

Pro-Supes & pro-F4:
Comic book readers and fans of the genre.

Anti-Supes & anti-F4:
Anti-woke morons and Snyder cultists.

Pro-Supes & anti-F4:
Self-proclaimed kinophiles and anti-MCU contrarians.

Anti-Supes & pro-F4:
DoubleD / AllSGood
28ClungesLater
28ClungesLater - 7/18/2025, 4:55 PM
@Latverian - LMAO double D /AlIGood gets his own category 🤣

I'm pro F4 & anti James Gunn!😬🤣
Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 5:03 PM
@28ClungesLater -

He's the kind of MCU fanatic that every MCU hater likes to think that all MCU fans are like.

He's our one-dimensional, simple-minded, bot-sounding, gif-posting, kind of annoying little trooper.

But I gotta hand it to him; he stayed when the maggots took over.
28ClungesLater
28ClungesLater - 7/18/2025, 5:07 PM
@Latverian - true! And I love the way he claps back at them 🤣
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 7/18/2025, 5:58 PM
@DTor91 - facts. was awesome back in the early marvel and Nolan Batman days. Peak was around IW and then it all fell to shit
LibraMatter
LibraMatter - 7/18/2025, 7:24 PM
@comicfan100 - people come here and act as if the thoughts of comic book fans are the final word in what the rest of the world cares about. It’s so negative for something that we’re supposed to be excited about. It’s assbackwards. I for one am just glad that these movies are being made. I dial down my expectations or dial them up depending on trailers but am always wanting these films to at least be entertaining. I don’t care if they change things or add whatever, these movies don’t ever have to be made. We should just sit back and enjoy these films and not bring politics or hate into them. It’s a director and writers vision and it bugs me that there is so much negativity here.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 7/18/2025, 7:42 PM
@comicfan100 -
@gambgel -

To be fair, how many people don't trust the studios or think what they make is poor? Why wouldn't they not want what they dislike or distrust to succeed? Personally, I'd rather be in places that are willing to more freely dislike something than be in a place that just provides acclaim for everything. What's miserable about that?

Now political obsession here is another issue. I still prefer the right to provide acclaim or bashing of things, but the political arguing is where I get annoyed.
MuadDib
MuadDib - 7/18/2025, 3:14 PM
As long as he casts a hottie I won’t complain too much
RolandD
RolandD - 7/18/2025, 3:19 PM
@MuadDib - Sexist pig. Okay, me too.
Pathogen
Pathogen - 7/18/2025, 3:50 PM
@RolandD - I choked on a strawberry reading that lol
RolandD
RolandD - 7/18/2025, 4:49 PM
@Pathogen - Sorry. I hope that there was someone to do the Heinrich on you 😂
RolandD
RolandD - 7/18/2025, 4:51 PM
@Pathogen - Damn autocorrect. Heimlich
DannyBrandy20
DannyBrandy20 - 7/18/2025, 6:00 PM
@MuadDib - He didn't with Supergirl

Prettiest Supergirl imo is the one from Smallville

User Comment Image

Pathogen
Pathogen - 7/18/2025, 6:41 PM
@RolandD - Ah, the Heinrich. Reserved for the most distinguished of kinksters. I'm in!
RolandD
RolandD - 7/18/2025, 7:04 PM
@Pathogen - OK, now I’m scared.😂
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/18/2025, 3:22 PM
His comments about not making a movie until the script is finished was such a dig at Marvel. Why would you start production if you don't even know where the beginning or middle of movie is supposed to be. Also Superman is on pace with Into The Spiderverse's domestic run around 380. That'd be a [frick]ing win in itself
TyrantBossMedia
TyrantBossMedia - 7/18/2025, 3:58 PM
@bobevanz - If Superman earns $380M in ticket sales then it only gets half of that because 50% goes to the theater group.

So $380M becomes $190M

The Production and Marketing budget was $225M + $125M =$350 $350M

So Superman needs to earn $700M just to break even.


regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 7/18/2025, 4:02 PM
@TyrantBossMedia

Domestically studios get more than 50% for their big tentpole releases. Obviously it’s not apples to apples but the general rule of thumb is production budget x 2.5 which the breakeven around 560 mil.

Man of Steel made 660 million and was profitable.
Latverian
Latverian - 7/18/2025, 4:55 PM
@TyrantBossMedia -

Whoever told you that every movie theatre gives back 50% of their ticket revenue, they lied to fit their narrative, and you ate it all up because you wanted to.

Educate yourself, or keep parroting dictated mistruths to those who do not know any better.
TyrantBossMedia
TyrantBossMedia - 7/18/2025, 5:22 PM
@Latverian - You are such an angry little douche.
TyrantBossMedia
TyrantBossMedia - 7/18/2025, 5:36 PM
@regularmovieguy - The marketing number was reported on this site yesterday.

The 50% comes from Matt Damon who was talking about how much goes to the theater group.
Now some studios have different deals. Disney gets like 60% or something like that, and overseas percentages for the studios are lower.

So I stand by my numbers.

As for Man of Steel it had a $225M production budget.
Add about $100M estimated for marketing that is $325M

It earned $291 Domestic and $379 International. $670M total.

It wasn't profitable in terms of box office, but was considered a success due to other revenue streams beyond ticket sales.

Back in 2013-14 DVD sales were still a big thing.
Now that everything basically winds up on streaming after a short theatrical run.....you aren't getting that DVD money like you used to.

Also, Man of Steel was in the theaters from June 13 to September 19

Superman (2025) won't be in theaters as long as that. I feel it will be hard pressed to turn an acceptable profit.

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