James Gunn Confirms he is Writing Superman Sequel as Film Crosses $500 Million Worldwide

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On the discussion platform Threads, it’s been verified that James Gunn, the joint CEO of DC Studios and a renowned director, is currently engaged in penning a follow-up to his 2025 Superman remake.

In response to fans asking about his future projects after his release, Gunn playfully mentioned that he spends his free time working on “Peacemaker publicity!” and drafting sequels!”.

When the user persisted in asking for more information about the next move, Gunn playfully responded, “I’ve already done it!

This informal post on social media has sparked discussions among DC enthusiasts, hinting at a quiet but impactful update for the rapidly expanding DC Universe.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I found myself pondering about James Gunn’s schedule post the grand debut of Superman on July 11, 2025, and his subsequent press tour. Intrigued by this, I posed a question regarding his much-deserved break. His reply was not only an affirmation of his continued dedication to Peacemaker Season 2 but also hinted at something exciting – a sequel tease that left fans buzzing with anticipation, as they speculated it might be a hint towards a Superman sequel rather than any other upcoming projects.

Gunn has earlier suggested a unique approach for the sequel, calling it a project where Superman assumes a significant role without being a conventional Batman versus Superman or World’s Finest team-up. However, this is the first time he has explicitly confirmed that script development is underway.

Significantly, this isn’t an official confirmation of him directing, but James Gunn’s active involvement in the DC Universe suggests it’s quite likely. In his recent interviews, Gunn has shown great interest in expanding the franchise, hinting at potential crossovers and suggesting that a sequel announcement might be made soon.

Box Office Triumph: Crossing the Half-Billion Mark

The moment when Gunn made his joke coincides perfectly with Superman‘s ongoing success at the global box office. By July 31, 2025, the film has earned a staggering $296.7 million in North America alone, and an additional $214.1 million from overseas cinemas. This brings its worldwide total to a whopping $510.8 million.

This significant achievement places it as the top-earning superhero film of 2025 thus far, eclipsing Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” ($382.1 million) and “Captain America: Brave New World” ($415.1 million). Moreover, it has surpassed Zack Snyder’s 2013 “Man of Steel” in domestic box office revenue.

In the U.S., Superman kicked off with $125 million – the third-highest debut in 2023 – and has maintained its momentum, falling only 54% to earn $57.2 million during its second week. The film’s success is attributed to favorable word-of-mouth and an “A-” CinemaScore. However, internationally, the response has been relatively subdued, with strong performances predominantly coming from countries such as China where this fresh take on a classic seems to be receiving less attention.

Achieving this success has made Superman crucial to DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup, suggesting that he could be instrumental in reviving the DC brand following several disappointing performances from previous films in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Mixed Reception: Praise for Heart, Critique for Gunn’s Signature Style

Although Superman is widely praised for its authentic and noble depiction of the Man of Steel, garnering an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 54% on Criticless, it does have its critics as well.

David Corenswet delivers a sincere portrayal as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan gives a sharp performance as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult plays a chilling Lex Luthor. These performances have been standouts, and the movie’s use of comic-book eccentricity is praised for its appeal. However, some viewers find that the influence of director James Gunn is too prevalent throughout the production, which has sparked criticism.

Gunn’s unique, humorous style, developed in movies like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” has been criticized for not fitting with Superman’s traditional image of nobility and inspiration. Critics have noticed a discrepancy in tone, where light-hearted jokes and simplistic humor aimed at laughs undermine serious scenes, such as those depicting civilian danger or emotional intensity.

Some supporters share this sentiment, finding the storyline to be overly complex with numerous concepts crammed in, resulting in a chaotic and disorganized narrative that often prioritizes visual excitement over clarity. The Critical Drinker on YouTube referred to it as a “beautifully chaotic James Gunn production,” admiring the absurdity but expressing disappointment at its inconsistent tone.

This “Gunn overload” extends beyond the screen to the marketing campaign.

Warner Bros. took a bold, all-encompassing approach to marketing their project, featuring eye-catching trailers that broke records, worldwide stunts, and online collaborations geared towards younger demographics. Yet, it was Gunn who frequently grabbed the spotlight, appearing more prominently than the stars in promotional content, interviews, and social media campaigns.

Critics have expressed that this method drew too much attention away from Corenswet and Brosnahan, suggesting that the focus on director Gunn’s vision overshadowed character-centric highlights in trailers and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

This director-centric strategy has fueled debates about whether it diluted the film’s star power.

Looking Ahead: A James Gunn Superman Sequel on the Horizon

James Gunn’s affirmation of working on a sequel underscores DC’s faith in the franchise’s continued success. Although not exactly Superman 2, Gunn hinted at it being a “roundabout” continuation, possibly featuring aspects from the wider DC Universe, such as spin-offs or collaborations.

It appears quite probable that Gunn will once again take charge, given his previous role as both writer and director of the original work and his current position at DC Studios; however, this has not been officially verified yet.

The actors, such as Corenswet and Brosnahan, have shown interest in potential sequels, while Gunn has suggested the possibility of television spin-offs to further explore the universe.

The movie Superman is still playing in theaters, earning around $340-360 million domestically with a possible worldwide total of over $700 million. This suggests that DC Comics will maintain their momentum. James Gunn’s sequel might address criticisms by adjusting his tone or emphasizing his distinctive style, but it’s certain that Superman is back, and his tale has more chapters to come.

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2025-08-01 20:09