This summer, two major superhero films are poised to dominate the box office: DCU’s Superman, arriving July 11, and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, launching two weeks later on July 25. While fans online continue to fuel the rivalry between Marvel and DC, DCU co-head James Gunn has made it clear he’s not interested in joining the fray—choosing instead to highlight the positives of both projects.
Responding to a fan on Threads, Gunn was asked about The Fantastic Four amid growing chatter comparing the two studios. His reply? “They come out two weeks after us—there’s room for us both! I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you'd want to find online. I'd focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars.”
Gunn brings a unique perspective—he’s a Marvel veteran, having written and directed the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, and also a DC alum, directing the critically praised 2021 reboot of The Suicide Squad. Now, alongside Peter Safran, he’s leading the rebooted DCU with Superman as its cornerstone—a film he wrote, directed, and produced—aiming to deliver the kind of success Warner Bros. has long sought for its superhero lineup.
More DCU projects are already in motion, ensuring future overlap with Marvel. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow hits theaters June 26, 2026—just over a month before Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026). On the small screen, DCU’s HBO series Lanterns is expected in 2026, going head-to-head with Marvel’s slate on Disney+, including Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and Vision Quest.
Despite the inevitable competition, Gunn’s message remains consistent: celebrate the films, not the feuds. And for fans, there’s even more reason to be excited—Marvel and DC have officially joined forces for a historic collaboration: a pair of one-shot crossover comics featuring Batman and Deadpool. This marks the first true inter-universe crossover between the two publishers in over two decades—and it’s already expanding, with a follow-up project planned for 2026.
July 2025 will be a landmark month for superhero cinema, offering something for every fan—no matter which side of the cape you’re on.
