James Gunn's "Superman" Gears Up for Liftoff as DC Bets on a Bold New Era

As anticipation builds for the cinematic relaunch of one of pop culture’s most iconic heroes, early box office projections for Superman are creating buzz across the industry. Hollywood’s top analytics firms are estimating a mighty $130 million haul in its opening weekend across North America. However, DC Studios is keeping expectations grounded, publicly predicting a more cautious—but still impressive—$100 million-plus start.

The film arrives with a unique pedigree. James Gunn, best known for infusing heart and humor into Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, now wears two powerful hats: creative force behind Superman and co-chair of DC Studios, the Warner Bros.-backed powerhouse hoping to reinvigorate its cinematic universe. Gunn has significant influence over both the film's storytelling and its broader positioning, a rare dual role in the modern Hollywood system.

Superman hits U.S. theaters on July 11, promising to be one of the summer's most talked-about blockbusters. Internationally, the film will launch in 78 territories, with global predictions hovering above the $100 million mark—a strong signal that the character’s appeal still resonates worldwide.

Initial tracking from market research firm NRG had pegged Superman for a $135 million domestic bow three weeks ago. Although that figure has dipped slightly to $130 million, it has since stabilized. Positive critical reception is likely to bolster ticket sales further; The Hollywood Reporter praised the film for restoring “the man of steel’s human heart,” a thematic pivot away from the grimmer tone that defined the Zack Snyder era.

Currently, the film holds an 84% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, hinting at strong word-of-mouth potential. That score could prove crucial in helping Superman soar past its early projections, especially given the uncertain terrain of the post-pandemic box office and the increasing volatility of tracking data.

To put things into context, Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice still holds the record for a Superman-related opening, raking in $166 million domestically in 2016. His earlier solo outing for the character, Man of Steel, launched with $116 million in 2013. Meanwhile, 2006’s Superman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer, pulled in over $84 million across six days in North America.

Despite Superman’s stature as one of the most globally recognized superheroes—alongside Batman and Marvel’s Spider-Man—Gunn and fellow DC Studios head Peter Safran are being cautious. In recent months, box office forecasts have been notoriously unreliable, often failing to account for shifting audience habits and growing superhero fatigue.

Yet there’s still reason for optimism. In Superman, David Corenswet dons the cape as Clark Kent, bringing a fresh face to the iconic role. Rachel Brosnahan takes on Lois Lane, while Nicholas Hoult steps into the shoes of Lex Luthor. The ensemble also includes Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Speaking to journalists earlier this year, Gunn shared his perspective on why this Superman might hit differently: “The world is craving authentic heroes. People want to believe in goodness again. They want to be reminded that decency, hope, and compassion still matter. That’s who Superman is at his core.”

Gunn also acknowledged the challenges the genre is facing. Superhero movies no longer dominate the box office with the same ease they once did. As audience tastes evolve, Superman will be a crucial test for whether DC’s new direction—more optimistic, more character-focused—can strike a chord.

This film marks Gunn’s first official entry as creative architect of DC’s cinematic future, following his and Safran’s appointment in November 2022. The duo has big plans: a Supergirl solo feature is already slated for 2026, and an ambitious Green Lantern series titled Lanterns is in development for HBO, promising a grounded, mystery-driven take on the cosmic heroes.

With so much riding on Superman, both creatively and commercially, all eyes will be on how this reinvention of the last son of Krypton lands—with hope, truth, and perhaps a whole new legacy.