James Gunn celebrates ‘Superman’ box office success: 'Incredibly grateful'

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Writer and director James Gunn is celebrating after Superman— the first film under his watch as DC Studios launches its Gods and Monsters phase — soared to a US$122 million box office opening at North American movie theatres over the weekend.

“I’m incredibly grateful for your enthusiasm and kind words over the past few days,” Gunn wrote in a message posted to Threads. 

Gunn, who is best known for directing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, also trumpeted the film’s global success after it added another US$95 million from 78 international markets.

“We’ve had a lot of ‘Super’ in Superman over the years, and I’m happy to have made a movie that focuses on the ‘man’ part of the equation — a kind person always looking out for those in need. That that resonates so powerfully with so many people across the world is in itself a hopeful testament to the kindness and quality of human beings. Thank you.”

After several box office misfires, including Justice League, Black Adam and Wonder Woman 1984, Warner Bros. revamped its approach to characters in its DC stable of superheroes in 2022, hiring Gunn and producer Peter Safran to build out a new film slate featuring some of comicdom’s most recognizable names.

Superman’s box office opening proved to be a much-needed win after several films featuring other notable DC characters that were released in 2023 and 2024, including The Flash, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Joker: Folie a Deux, all fizzled with audiences.

In Superman, which carried a rumoured price tag of $225 million, Gunn skips the origin story for a new tale that follows Clark Kent/Superman (David Corenswet) as he grapples with his powers while trying to blend in as a journalist at the Daily Planet.

Rachel Brosnahan plays Clark’s love interest Lois Lane, while British actor Nicholas Hoult takes on Superman’s arch-enemy Lex Luthor.

In an interview with Postmedia, Gunn said was intrigued to help spearhead DC Studios’ rebrand because he wanted to be a part of “getting to tell the biggest story ever told.”

Superman’s box office victory also sent a message to critics who lashed out at its pro-immigrant message and called the movie “woke.”

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, said the movie’s success ensured DC’s upcoming film slate will proceed without interruption.  

“Had Superman not achieved a $100 million plus opening weekend in North America, it would have been seen as a disappointment and could have derailed the very ambitious future big and small screen plans of the DC,” Dergarabedian told Postmedia. “For James Gunn, Peter Safran and the DC Universe this was a key weekend on which hinged the very future of the brand.”

Analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations said the soft international performance could be cause for concern. In China, Superman collected just $6.6 million.

“Unless momentum picks up overseas, this Universe-starter could turn out to be a non-event,” he tells Postmedia. “It doesn’t mean it’s over, but certainly the next two weeks will tell the real box office tale.”

Bock also pointed to the arrival of Marvel’s Fantastic Four in two weeks as a title that could “play to the masses a bit more.” 

Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav also cheered on Superman’s success, while offering up praise to Gunn and Safran for “forging something new.”

“Three years ago, I hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to reimagine and unify the creative direction of DC under one leadership team, by breathing new life and excitement into one of the most iconic storytelling franchises in the world,” Zaslav said on Sunday as Superman’s opening weekend numbers started to roll in. “James and Peter’s commitment to honouring the legacy of the DC Universe while forging something new and enthralling is inspired.”

Shortly after they were hired to co-lead DC Studios, Gunn and Safran lifted the lid on a 10-year plan that will feature interconnected stories and spinoffs that will include a new Batman movie, next summer’s Supergirl, Clayface, Lanterns, a new TV series based on the Green Lantern comics, and a new take on Wonder Woman.

In a recent GQ cover story on Corenswet, Gunn tried to downplay how much money Superman needed to make in order to be considered a bona fide success.

“This is not the riskiest endeavour in the world,” he said. “Is there something riding on it? Yeah, but it’s not as big as people make it out to be. They hear these numbers that the movie’s only going to be successful if it makes $700 million or something and it’s just complete and utter nonsense. It doesn’t need to be as big of a situation as people are saying.”

Dergarabedian thinks “word of mouth” will be essential in Superman continuing to perform well at the box office in the coming weeks.

“The Rotten Tomatoes scores from critics are very high, but it’s all about building on the solid buzz that will ensure the long-term success of Superman,” he said.

Superman is now playing in theatres.

mdaniell@postmedia.com