This summer, two blockbuster superhero films are set to dominate the box office: Superman, marking the launch of the new DC Universe (DCU) on July 11, and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, arriving just two weeks later on July 25. While fans of both universes gear up for what looks like a cinematic showdown online, DCU co-CEO James Gunn has made it clear he wants no part in the digital rivalry—preferring instead to highlight the strengths and positives of each film.
Responding to a fan question on Threads, Gunn was asked about The Fantastic Four in the context of ongoing Marvel vs. DC debates. He replied, “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, is no stranger to either side of the superhero spectrum. Before joining DCU, he also wrote and directed the critically acclaimed 2021 reboot of The Suicide Squad. Now working alongside Peter Safran as co-head of DCU, Gunn has written, directed, and produced the upcoming Superman, setting a fresh course for DC’s cinematic future—one that Warner Bros. hopes will bring more consistent success than the previous DCEU era.
Looking ahead, it seems inevitable that DC and Marvel will continue to clash on release dates. Take Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, scheduled for June 26, 2026—just over a month before Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31, 2026. In the streaming space, DCU’s HBO series Lanterns is slated for some point in 2026, while Marvel Television plans to roll out several Disney+ shows including Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again and Vision Quest.
For now, though, all eyes are on Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Both films are under immense pressure to deliver strong box office results. Regardless of which franchise you support, July 2025 promises to be an unforgettable month for superhero movie fans.
And there's even some rare unity between the two giants: Marvel and DC have joined forces for one of the most anticipated comic book projects of 2025—a pair of one-shot crossover specials featuring Batman and Deadpool. This marks the first true inter-universe collaboration between the two publishers in over two decades. And it doesn’t stop there—Marvel and DC are already planning a follow-up crossover event slated for 2026.
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