Gunn Ends Fan Wars, Embraces Superman vs. Fantastic Four

This summer, the box office is gearing up for a clash of superhero titans. The DCU's Superman reboot arrives on July 11, followed two weeks later by the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25. While fans of DC and Marvel debate online, DCU head James Gunn has made it clear he has no interest in fueling the rivalry, preferring to celebrate the strengths of each film.

When asked on Threads about The Fantastic Four amid the fan-driven Marvel vs. DC comparisons, Gunn responded,

"They come out two weeks after us. There's plenty of room for both! I have great respect for my friends at Marvel. You can find endless debates online if you look for them, but I'd rather focus on the positive energy surrounding these movies than get caught up in online fan wars."

Gunn's background includes deep ties to Marvel, having written and directed the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy series. He's also no stranger to DC, having directed the critically acclaimed 2021 film The Suicide Squad.

Now, as co-head of the revamped DCU with Peter Safran, Gunn has written, directed, and produced Superman. He is guiding the DCU in a new direction that Warner Bros. hopes will achieve greater success than the previous DCEU. With several DCU films and TV series in development, future clashes with Marvel seem inevitable.

For instance, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is scheduled for June 26, 2026, just over a month before Spider-Man: Brand New Day debuts on July 31, 2026. On the television front, the DCU's HBO series Lanterns is expected in 2026, the same year Marvel Television will release multiple Disney+ series, including Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and Vision Quest.

For now, all eyes are on Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with both films under significant pressure to deliver massive box office returns. No matter which superhero universe you prefer, July is shaping up to be an incredible month for fans.

In a notable collaboration, Marvel and DC have joined forces to announce what promises to be one of 2025's best-selling comic projects. The publishers are releasing a pair of one-shot crossover specials starring Batman and Deadpool, marking the first official crossover between the Marvel and DC universes in over two decades. Even better, they aren't stopping with Deadpool/Batman #1 and Batman/Deadpool #1—a follow-up crossover is already in development for 2026.