James Gunn says he’s already done a 60-page outline for the next Superman movie. He’s scripting it now. Hollywood rarely greenlights sequels this quickly; studios typically wait for ticket sales results to come out in full. Why the rush? And what does it say about Superman, the hero with the messiest sequel track record ever?
It’s all about keeping the ball rolling. Think Marvel filming Infinity War and Endgame back-to-back. Or Cameron planning four Avatars upfront. Warner Bros. and DC are betting big: lock in the cast, hook the crowd, and plant Superman at the heart of their new universe’s kickoff chapter, “Gods and Monsters.”
James Gunn and David Corenswet sit for an interview about Superman – YouTube, Fandango
Gunn’s not just cranking out Superman 2, though. He’s crafting some kind of larger interconnected story. Some are anticipating less solo savior, more key player in a wild, connected tale. That means James Gunn is playing to what he does best.
That’s bold, given the hero’s past flops. After Richard Lester’s Superman II in 1980, follow-ups tanked. Superman Returns in 2006? Fizzled. Man of Steel in 2013 was followed up by Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, which started the slow decline of the Snyderverse. Back in 1978, Donner’s original sparked the superhero boom. Lines snaked around blocks. It sold 57.3 million U.S. tickets, pulling in $1.4 billion in today’s cash.
Superman fighting an unknown enemy in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
That shadow hangs heavy. Gunn aims to show this icon can carry a whole saga, not just a single standalone hit. Like everybody else, they are looking to deliver a connected universe, not just a good movie. But maybe they should slow down and give us a really good film and not worry about the next 20 movies.
Does he need a pure solo story? Some critics say yes—focus on Clark Kent’s heart, his fights, his soul. Teams can drown him out. But others argue he glows when stacked against fellow heroes, setting the ethical bar. Gunn’s blueprint sketches at least four films. Maybe he splits the difference: depth for the man, ties to the bigger world.
Superman arrested in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
This push signals a shift—Warner sees Superman as a steady blockbuster, not a dicey restart. Gunn loves quirky group stories, so can the Last Son of Krypton thrive there? His style packs a punch, but overdo it, and it flops. Guardians of the Galaxy was terrific, but can Superman work in that kind of movie?
If Gunn nails speed and substance, could Superman shatter his sequel jinx? Churn out great tales with fresh faces and let stories lead, not suits in marketing.
David Corenswet as Superman flying in James Gunn’s “Superman” – YouTube, DC
The DC comics universe has over 20,000 characters and 80 years of history. It should be a no-brainer to go into that history and find the right stories to make. For James Gunn, I’d suggest Justice League International (JM DeMatteis/Keith Giffen) as great inspiration. That would be a natural for the James Gunn style. Batman’s one punch of Guy Gardner, The Martian and Oreos… all of it’s just waiting there to be adapted.
What do you think James Gunn will do for his Superman sequel?
