Supermandirector James Gunn has weighed in on both his film and Marvel Studios’The Fantastic Four: First Stepsreleasing in July 2025. Though there is a two-week window between them, their similar premiere dates set up a DC versus Marvel showdown.Supermancomes out on July 11, whileThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsarrives on July 25, right in the middle of San Diego Comic Con.
Over onThreads, a user asked Gunn for his take on people pitting the films against each other.The filmmaker previously directed theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogyfor Marvel, which remains one of their best-received sub-franchises. He, however, had no time for hating on Marvel, stating: “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.”
What James Gunn’s Superman And Fantastic Four Comments Mean
When it comes to a film’s legs at the box office, it’s important to consider the variance between its opening weekend and the remainder of its release.Generally speaking, a film’s first weekend makes up around a third of its overall gross, though there are films that deviate from this pattern. Openings typically have the biggest single-weekend showing because existing fans are likely to see the movie right away. Its subsequent box office is a mix between more casual fans, word-of-mouth attendees, repeat viewers, and those just looking for a movie—any movie—to see.
Supermanwill likely be beyond its most profitable weekends whenThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsreleases. Even so, it is likely that the latter will affect the former’s ticket sales for the later duration of its theatrical window. Nonetheless, the broader superhero genre does better when competition and audience interest are steep.The best modern example is the year 2016, which saw the release ofDeadpool,Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice,Captain America: Civil War, andX-Men: Apocalypseall within only a few months.
Our Take On James Gunn’s Superman And Fantastic Four Comments
Gunn is right; plenty of successful movies come out within weeks of each other. Just last year,Moana 2andWickeddominated the Thanksgiving movie season, with both films turning a profit. PittingSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsagainst one another is yet another perpetuation of the DC versus Marvel comic “fan wars” that have raged for decades. In truth, both films are most likely to succeed when the genre succeeds.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
