James Gunn Teases SUPERMAN Sequel That's Not SUPERMAN 2; Weighs In On Toxic Fans Following SDCC Threats

Despite seemingly confirming plans for a Superman sequel, James Gunn has reiterated that his next project will simply put the Man of Steel front and centre. He's also weighed in on toxic fandoms...

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By JoshWilding - Aug 01, 2025 04:08 AM EST

Filed Under: Superman

Yesterday, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn seemingly confirmed that he's developing a Superman sequel. The movie has become the Man of Steel's first solo outing to pass $300 million at the U.S. box office, and recently surpassed $500 million worldwide.

A sequel would make sense then, but just as fans were starting to get excited, the filmmaker clarified that he was referring to the next movie he's writing. That will see Superman play a big role in the story, but it isn't Superman 2.

"This is the same movie," he told a fan on Threads. "Superman has a major role. It's not 'Superman 2.'" He later added, "It's a ways off," and somewhat muddied the waters by sharing his definition of a "direct sequel. "I'm not sure how you define 'direct sequel.' I pretty much think of Peacemaker Season 2 as a direct sequel."

Gunn has seemingly shot down the idea of the movie being a World's Finest team-up with Batman, and with Supergirl set to swoop into theaters next summer, it's hard to say what the Kryptonian's next DCU project will be.

Superman vs. The Authority has been mentioned online, suggesting Gunn could make a Guardians of the Galaxy-style ensemble with the Man of Tomorrow front and centre. If that is the plan, it's likely based on Grant Morrison's Superman and The Authority comic book series.

View on Threads

In related news, Gunn has also responded to some of the toxicity online. This comes after a hardcore SnyderVerse supporter posted a video claiming they'd invaded the Peacemaker season 2 panel at Comic-Con, with the intention of "running up" on the DC Studios boss.

Gunn initially mocked the notion that they were mean-mugging him in a room full of 6500 people, but later got serious by addressing the deeper issues with many of these fans.

View on Threads

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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88 Comments

1 2 3

TheJok3r - 8/1/2025, 5:07 AM

Translation: WB isn't happy with Superman's box office, so he'll once again be limited to movies featuring more popular heroes.

UltimaRex - 8/1/2025, 6:32 AM

@TheJok3r - they set a $500m target which Superman smashed.

It passed MOS domestically.

It's generating its own fanbase.

WB are ecstatic. Gunn is writing what he wants.

vectorsigma - 8/1/2025, 6:39 AM

@TheJok3r - why so negative today? Lolz!

ObserverIO - 8/1/2025, 6:47 AM

@UltimaRex - But is that target the break even point? Unlikely considering they spent $350M on the movie and movie theaters take an average of 50% of the cut.

If they all took 50% then the break even point would be $700M. Now it's probably considerably less than that because they might not all take 50%, but there's no way it's THAT much less.
Also, if the movie ends up making less than Man of Steel (not even adjusted for inflation) that's not a good sign all things considered.

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 7:39 AM

@UltimaRex - “Warner bros are estatic” how do you know that? Are you one of the executive producers? Delusional more like. So you are saying they are happy with 500 million which is peanuts these days for a blockbuster to make. Also Gunn writing what he wants…..yeah that’s the problem.
If every solo film turns out to be a superhero team movie then this franchise is finished. So we can expect superman spending each movie saving squirrels and lying on his ass whilst Lois lane and the justice gang save him every time but the justice gang in particular will do the heavy lifting as usual. What a joke. They might as well rename this - Mary poppins or Sesame Street. I’m happy for you little children. In about twenty years when you lot finally get past puberty, you’ll realise James Gunn’s superman and the entire DCU was one big joke. It’s got nothing on the MCU that’s for sure but you guys wouldn’t understand because you are still in diapers. When supergirl is calling superman a bitch you know it’s the end of the character. Good luck. Y’all gonna need it.

vectorsigma - 8/1/2025, 7:49 AM

@Canyoublush - "which is peanuts these days"

The mighty marvel studios cant even break that now 😭😭😭😭😭

Dont want to bother on your other points because this alone says it all 😂

UltimaRex - 8/1/2025, 7:55 AM

@TheJok3r - WB themselves set the $500m target for Superman which was smashed.

WB are ecstatic and Gunn is writing what he wants to.

UltimaRex - 8/1/2025, 8:00 AM

@Canyoublush - one, you saw my original reply?

Two, calling other people "children" is a bit ridiculous when you have no idea how Hollywood works...

Apophis71 - 8/1/2025, 8:03 AM

@Canyoublush - 500M was maybe peanuts in the 2012 thru 2019 period with films, not so since 2021 where less than 10 films made a billion over the course of the last five years plus, doubly so for DC. We're sadly back to where 500M maybe isn't great but it is good and the film only needed $560M or so to break even at the BO with all the additional money from merch, digital and physical sales, broadcast and streaming TV etc to keep the cash rolling in on top of that.

TheJok3r - 8/1/2025, 9:19 AM

@vectorsigma - I absolutely loved Superman and think WB should be happy with the results, considering the IP and DC's past. With that said, if they were, we would be getting a sequel instead of whatever this project Gunn is working on. Not everyone is such a blind fanboy that they can't see the writing on the wall.

satanicbatman - 8/1/2025, 9:33 AM

@Canyoublush - You’re literally the toxic energy that Gunn was commenting on. Do you honestly think that anyone read this and went “oh wow, he’s right” or “oh my gosh, this guy is soooo edgy..I better do what he says”?? Seriously, you sound like a 30 year old that stills lives at home and is constantly yelling “Goddamit!” after burning your mouth on a Hot Pocket. Fix yourself!

newhire13 - 8/1/2025, 9:48 AM

@Canyoublush - Jeez, you’re like exactly what Gunn talked about in his post 😂 Now we gotta start treating you like you don’t exist

vectorsigma - 8/1/2025, 10:02 AM

@TheJok3r - why do you think getting a dirext sequel is more of a sign of confidence than getting a next movie from Gunn?

The BO result was a surprise to everyone, that it is good domestic and soft internationally. But because it is what it is, they need to make tweaks on their approach.

This is still a young universe so they can apply lessons learned in Superman, especially on the international reception. They cant risk a direct sequel with this kind of response internationally. They need to convince the audience that it can be a lot better.

I for one am satisfied Gunn is already writing the next movie given his nonstop workload

TheJok3r - 8/1/2025, 10:07 AM

@vectorsigma - A shared universe that starts with a Superman movie that under performs, resulting in its sequel getting shelved in favor of Superman being a guest star in the director's next movie is the exact same thing we just went through with the DCEU.

vectorsigma - 8/1/2025, 10:22 AM

@TheJok3r - i think we are making too much assumptions here.

I think Gunn has been talking about this next project even before superman released

And you havent clarified my question

"why do you think getting a direct sequel is more of a sign of confidence than just getting a next movie from Gunn?"

You 180 degree flip is just confusing for me. And i think it is too early to assume

TheJok3r - 8/1/2025, 10:51 AM

@vectorsigma - To answer your question, a direct sequel will show that WB has faith in the Superman IP to deliver better results the next time around. If they've decided against it in favor of him being part of someone else's movie, then it's BVS all over again, where they brought Batman in as a result of not being confident in Superman's ability to do better at the box office.

vectorsigma - 8/1/2025, 11:06 AM

@TheJok3r - having batman next is another assumption. But if it is indeed batman, this will be more organic than the dceu as it is a lived in world already. Any hero can pop up like in the comics and the bruce timm animated series.

We also are yet to see how supergirl and clayface fares next year. So by the time the next gunn film arrives, weve had a lot of films/shows already. Very different situation with the dceu.

UltimaRex - 8/1/2025, 11:18 AM

@ObserverIO - it's the nature of the beast now. The Warner/Discovery split has probably made a bread and butter, sure thing IP a must for WB. Add to that the cinema/streaming battle only ever going one way and yeah, anything over break even at the box office is a success now for big movies...

Bucky74 - 8/1/2025, 11:24 AM

@UltimaRex - An estimated 700M with marketing and prod costs and theaters take roughly half of the BO, so losing 100’s of millions on a film makes a company “ecstatic”. I don’t get the logic. Gunn made a divisive film about the most popular superhero in the world. The public wanted to love this but many were sadly disappointed by many of Gunn’s story choices and plot decisions.
This should have been a ground ball.

DarkeyeZ - 8/1/2025, 12:50 PM

@TheJok3r - you are either one of those toxic voices Gunn was talking about, or just a terrible translator.

DarkeyeZ - 8/1/2025, 12:52 PM

@Canyoublush - I don't know if you set out to prove James Gunn right, or did by mistake. either way, thank you for doing so.

TheJok3r - 8/1/2025, 1:05 PM

@DarkeyeZ - I'm definitely the problem, it's not that you're a blind fanboy.

UltimaRex - 8/1/2025, 1:30 PM

@Bucky74 - it's the nature of the beast now. The Warner/Discovery split has probably made a bread and butter, sure thing IP a must for WB. Add to that the cinema/streaming battle only ever going one way and yeah, anything over break even at the box office is a success now for big movies.

And WB has made $500m the target.
Which Superman crushed.
So yeah, they're at least happy.

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 1:34 PM

@vectorsigma - I can’t argue with you on this. If I actually gave a crap about box office returns. 😆🤣

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 1:43 PM

@UltimaRex - If you know how Hollywood works then why was Hollywood built specifically in Los Angeles California? If you are such an expert I want you to explain why they chose this specific location geographically speaking? If you know why then please educate me. If you don’t then I rest my case. 😏

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 1:44 PM

@satanicbatman - Well you said it. So I rest my case. Tell me something? Why get so upset over one comment out of the millions and millions? Because you are insecure. That’s why.

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 1:45 PM

@satanicbatman - *read*

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 1:49 PM

@newhire13 - Too late for that. You read my comment acknowledged it and now you are coping. So cope harder. You need everyone around you to make you feel better that’s why you’ll never be a master of anything if you rely on Gunn and others for support. Furthermore you are triggered by my response because deep down you know I’m right. Your response reeks of denial. If you wrote a comment that I disapproved of, I wouldn’t even reply. Waste of time and energy and yet here you are….

Canyoublush - 8/1/2025, 1:51 PM

@UltimaRex - every time I refer to people as children they get upset just like children. So I’ve proven my point. Be an adult and take criticism for once in your life. Damn you guys are sooo insecure and petty it’s adorable. Awwww bless your little cotton socks. You gonna go crying to mommy and daddy now?

UltimaRex - 8/1/2025, 1:57 PM

@Canyoublush - you don't know the first thing about being an adult.

McMurdo - 8/1/2025, 3:05 PM

@Canyoublush - you sound dumber with each new comment kiddo

MarvelZombie616 - 8/1/2025, 6:13 PM

@Canyoublush - $500 million isn't peanuts to make these days, it's the opposite.

You are clearly not an expert on box office revenue.

Also read the Supergirl comics that the movie is based on.

They want Kara to be very different from the previous Supergirl movie and said that the Tone of every DC movie will differ.

Supergirl will be teaming up with Lobo, that should give everybody an idea how the movie will be.

The next movie, Clayface will have horror vibes.

I saw Superman II in a theater 1980 and Superman 2025 is the first movie who gets the character right since then, so shut up about diapers.

F4ntasticClunge - 8/1/2025, 5:14 AM

Sounds like BvS all over again.

lord22 - 8/1/2025, 6:24 AM

@F4ntasticClunge - i'm not complaining, gunn know how to make hero team movie.

if he do justice league next it might go near the billion.

F4ntasticClunge - 8/1/2025, 6:27 AM

@lord22 - after watxhing superman I wouldn't trust him lol

Forthas - 8/1/2025, 8:51 AM

@F4ntasticClunge -

Geez...not again

Bucky74 - 8/1/2025, 11:26 AM

@F4ntasticClunge - Sounds exactly like that

jst5 - 8/1/2025, 6:09 PM

@lord22 - He does?

jst5 - 8/1/2025, 6:14 PM

@F4ntasticClunge - I have no idea how anyone thinks that was a "good" Superman movie.It's not written well....movie leaves no doubt this movie was a James Gunn movie done by James Gunn..Superman is goofy as it gets ...a punching bag....and looks to his Robin I mean dog to get him out of stuff.This goofy version of Superman probably does need a sidekick like a dog.

Synder's version wasn't it either...but this Gunn goofy take on Superman isn't it either.

James Gunn Teases SUPERMAN Sequel That's Not SUPERMAN 2; Weighs In On Toxic Fans Following SDCC Threats

Despite seemingly confirming plans for a Superman sequel, James Gunn has reiterated that his next project will simply put the Man of Steel front and centre. He's also weighed in on toxic fandoms...

SUPERMAN: 7 Classic Villains We Want To See If DC Studios And James Gunn Make A Sequel

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Officially Adds Mark Ruffalo As The Hulk And Michael Mando As Scorpion

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.