Superman is already available to watch at home just over a month after it first hit theaters. Just don’t expect future DC Universe movies to follow that same pattern. This, according to director James Gunn, who also serves as the co-head of DC Studios. He’s made it clear that Superman getting an early Digital release was a special circumstance. It won’t be the normal.
Gunn was recently a guest on the I Think You’re Overthinking It podcast. During the conversation, he was asked about the theatrical window for Superman. The Warner Bros. executive made it clear that when Supergirl and other movies hit theaters, they’ll be exclusively on the big screen longer. The Superman VOD release had to do with Peacemaker season 2. Here’s what Gunn had to say about it.
“Next time, it’s gonna be longer. I don’t want people to get used to it, it’s purely because of ‘Peacemaker’ that I let it come out at this time”
Peacemaker season 2 arrives on HBO Max this week. It features several characters from Superman, with ties to that movie. Gunn and Warner Bros. wanted audiences to have the chance to see it, even if that meant watching it at home. That meant shortening the theatrical window. As of this writing, Superman is coming up on $600 million at the global box office. That’s a solid number, but not what we’re used to seeing for these big superhero movies.
Seemingly, Gunn, DC Studios co-head Peter Safran and Warner Bros. all want to maximize box office down the line. Next year will see the release of Supergirl as well as the Clayface solo movie. Meanwhile, Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II is finally set to begin filming in early 2026, with an October 2027 release date set. Gunn is doing his job of setting the expectation that those who want to wait to watch those movies at home will need to exercise more patience.
Here is the synopsis for Peacemaker season 2.
“In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.”
While nothing else has been given the official green light, the new DCU has plenty of movies in the works. Gunn is writing a mysterious new movie involving David Corenswet’s Superman. He’s remained tight-lipped as to the specifics. A new Wonder Woman movie and The Brave and the Bold are also being written as we speak. James Mangold is also working on a Swamp Thing feature, with a Teen Titans live-action movie in the works.
Peacemaker season 2 premieres Thursday, August 22 on HBO Max.
What do you think? Do you want DC movies in theaters longer? Or would you prefer to watch them at home? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
