As anticipation builds for the world premiere of James Gunn’s “Superman” on July 7, DC Studios co-leader Peter Safran publicly expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO David Zaslav for his support in launching what many hope will be a revitalized era for the DC cinematic universe. The TCL Chinese IMAX theater served as a backdrop for this moment, albeit with only a few familiar faces representing the franchise’s storied past, such as Michael Rosenbaum from “Smallville” and Will Reeve, the son of the late Christopher Reeve.
With this latest installment, DC aims to recapture audiences’ attention after being overshadowed by Marvel in recent years. The film opened with a globally impressive $220 million, a figure that sparked mixed reactions within the industry. An industry box office analyst noted that while the domestic showing was strong, the international results fell short of expectations, which could set different tones for the future success of the franchise.
Zaslav’s early declaration of the film’s performance as “soaring” was met with skepticism by some, particularly given the occasional premature triumphalism from CEOs. Nonetheless, Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock saw a positive uptick, reflecting Wall Street’s cautious optimism about the film’s potential despite its international challenges.
The film, budgeted at $225 million with an additional $125 million for global marketing, featured eye-catching promotions, including a stunt that placed a Superman figure atop London’s tallest building, The Shard. According to reports, Gunn earned a remarkable $15 million for his role as director and producer, overshadowing the salaries of the film’s stars.
While “Superman” set its sights on being a landmark blockbuster for the summer, comparisons to previous efforts, particularly Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” reveal a tough landscape—with the latter performing better when adjusted for inflation. Viewer reception has yielded a favorable A- CinemaScore, which augurs well for its ongoing box office prospects.
The film also skirted the usual culture wars for most of its marketing campaign, although it inadvertently became a topic of political conversation once released. The narrative featuring a foreign adversary engaging in conflict has sparked discussions about its timely themes, with some viewers interpreting elements of the story as relevant to recent global events. This alignment with contemporary issues could contribute to the film’s staying power in theaters.
The critical and audience reception has thus far been largely positive and may offer hope for a successful future for the DC franchise, marking a possible turning point for a beloved superhero brand that seeks to affirm its relevance in a competitive cinematic landscape.