James Gunn Denies Superman Runtime Cut Rumors, Claims WBD Has No Power to Cut Down DC Studios Films

James Gunn is setting the record straight on recent rumors that large scale cuts were made to the runtime of Superman.

Following recent rumors first shared by World of Reel that Warner Bros. may have intervened in the final cut of his upcoming Superman reboot, the filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios took to Threads to directly address the rumors.

Gunn Confirms Runtime and Denies Studio Interference

When asked by a Threads user if the reported runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes was accurate, Gunn confirmed it.

“Inclusive of credits/post credits the runtime is 2 hours 9 minutes,” he said. That lines up with earlier reports about the final version of the film.

James Gunn comments on rumors that the Superman runtime was cut by 30 minutes – Threads, @JamesGunn

Gunn also responded to a separate question asking whether Warner Bros. had actually forced him to shorten the film.

“Zero truth to that,” he said. “And they couldn’t even if that’s something that they wanted to. It’s a DC Studios film.”

Gunn’s Denial Raises Questions About Creative Control

While Gunn’s response appears to shut down the rumor mill, it also raises eyebrows over the claim that Warner Bros. Discovery “couldn’t” intervene—even if it wanted to.

DC Studios is not an independent company; it is a subdivision of Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio handles distribution, financing, and marketing, meaning WBD certainly retains authority over its in-house labels. In traditional studio hierarchies, final say usually rests with the parent company—particularly for tentpole projects with massive budgets and shared-universe implications.

Superman fighting an unknown enemy in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC

And Warner Bros. has a reported history of massive studio interference, particularly in DC films, from before the creation of the newly formed DC Studios.

It’s entirely possible that Gunn’s contract grants him a higher-than-usual level of creative autonomy over DC Studios projects, especially since he was brought on to oversee the full reboot of the cinematic universe. But as of now, that has not been confirmed publicly. 

Gunn’s statement may also be read as PR damage control—asserting full creative control to maintain confidence in the project’s direction. Whether that represents a genuine structural shift or just strong messaging remains to be seen.

The Start of a New DC Era

Superman, written, directed, and co-produced by Gunn, marks the first entry in DC’s newly rebooted cinematic universe, officially titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The film will explore Clark Kent’s struggle to balance his Kryptonian heritage with his life in Smallville, aiming to reintroduce the character to a new generation.

Superman in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC

The cast includes David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, alongside a large ensemble of DC heroes and supporting characters. Familiar names from across the DC Universe—such as Rick Flag Sr., Supergirl, and the Engineer—will also reportedly appear, according to Deadline. 

Looking Ahead

Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025, and early tracking suggests it could deliver a major box office win for Warner Bros. and DC Studios. As previously reported, the film is projected to open with $154 million to $175 million domestically—which if accurate would make it the biggest Superman opening of all time and potentially the highest non-holiday debut of the year.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Sean Gunn and James Gunn attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)

Now that Gunn has addressed the rumors and confirmed the runtime, attention shifts back to the film itself—and whether this new version of the Man of Steel can truly reboot the DC brand for good.

Do you believe that WBD has no control over the Superman runtime? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

UP NEXT: Disney Rushes Rachel Zegler’s Snow White to Streaming in One Week with Hurried Announcement and Accelerated Schedule