James Gunn Rejects Fan Rivalries, Embraces Superman and Fantastic Four Releases

This summer, two major superhero films will compete at the box office, with the DCU’s Superman reboot premiering on July 11 and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps following on July 25. While DC and Marvel fans clash online, DCU head James Gunn has expressed disinterest in fueling internet rivalries, choosing instead to highlight the strengths of both movies.

On the social platform Threads, Gunn was questioned about The Fantastic Four amid fan-driven Marvel vs. DC debates.

“They release two weeks after us,” Gunn responded. “There’s space for both films. I have great friends at Marvel. You can dive into any online debates you want, but I’d rather focus on the excitement surrounding both projects than get caught in fan conflicts.”

Gunn has deep ties to Marvel, having written and directed the acclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. He’s also no stranger to DC, having helmed the well-regarded 2021 film The Suicide Squad.

As co-head of the revamped DCU with Peter Safran, Gunn wrote, directed, and produced Superman, guiding the franchise toward what Warner Bros. hopes will be a more successful era than the previous DCEU. Several DCU films and TV projects are in development, setting the stage for future clashes with Marvel.

For instance, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is slated for June 26, 2026, just weeks before Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026. In television, DCU’s HBO series Lanterns will launch in 2026, alongside Marvel’s Disney+ offerings, including Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and Vision Quest.

For now, all eyes are on Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, both facing immense pressure to deliver strong box office results. Regardless of which comic universe you prefer, July promises to be an exciting month for superhero enthusiasts.

Moreover, Marvel and DC have united for a major 2025 comic book project, announcing two one-shot crossover specials featuring Batman and Deadpool. This marks the first true Marvel-DC crossover in over two decades. Beyond Deadpool/Batman #1 and Batman/Deadpool #1, the publishers are already planning another crossover for 2026.