Gunn Dismisses Fan Wars: Superman and Fantastic Four to Launch Together

This summer, the superhero movie landscape is heating up as two major cinematic releases prepare to hit theaters. On July 11, DCU's highly anticipated reboot *Superman* will debut, followed just two weeks later by Marvel’s *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, set for release on July 25. While fans of both universes gear up for what looks like an exciting box office showdown, DCU co-head James Gunn has made it clear he isn’t interested in fueling online rivalries between the fandoms. Instead, he encourages everyone to focus on the positive aspects of each film.

During a recent Q&A session on Threads, Gunn was asked about the potential overlap between *Superman* and *The Fantastic Four*, especially with fans often pitting Marvel and DC against each other. He responded with characteristic calm, 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 into online fan wars.”

Gunn, who previously directed Marvel’s beloved *Guardians of the Galaxy* trilogy, has since transitioned to DC, where he directed the 2021 *Suicide Squad* film and now serves as co-head of DCU alongside Peter Safran. His work on *Superman* marks a pivotal moment in DC’s new direction under Warner Bros., which hopes to achieve greater success than the previous DCEU era. The studio has an ambitious slate lined up, including multiple films and TV shows that are likely to bring DC back into direct competition with Marvel in the coming years.

Take *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow*, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026, for instance. It arrives just over a month before Marvel’s *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* hits theaters on July 31, 2026. In television, DCU’s HBO series *Lanterns* is expected sometime in 2026, going head-to-head with Marvel’s planned Disney+ offerings, such as Season 2 of *Daredevil: Born Again* and *Vision Quest*.

For now, however, all eyes are on July’s blockbuster releases. Both *Superman* and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* face immense expectations to deliver strong box office performances. Regardless of whether you're a die-hard Marvel fan or a loyal DC supporter, one thing is certain—July promises to be an unforgettable month for superhero cinema lovers.

Interestingly, despite the perceived rivalry, Marvel and DC have joined forces for a historic collaboration in 2025. The two comic book giants are launching a pair of crossover one-shots featuring *Batman* and *Deadpool*. This marks the first true inter-universe crossover between Marvel and DC in more than two decades. Even better? The partnership won’t end there, with plans already underway for a follow-up project slated for 2026.

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