If Superman Fails, Warner Bros. Could “Go the Way of Fox”

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James Gunn’s Superman movie carries significant weight due to its role as the inaugural film in the new DC Universe series. The success or failure at the box office will significantly influence the direction of this shared universe moving forward. However, it might not just be about the future of DC Comics adaptations; the outcome of Superman could shape the destiny of Warner Bros. itself. A recent article in Puck highlights various internal challenges the studio is grappling with, indicating that Superman is under immense pressure as it prepares for its summer release. If it doesn’t meet expectations, Warner Bros. might face a similar downfall to Fox.

The report states: “If Warner Bros. fails to successfully manage the DC franchise in the end, there’s real concern they might follow in Fox’s footsteps and get absorbed by a bigger company like Disney did in 2019.” It’s crucial to clarify that this doesn’t mean Disney will purchase WB, but rather, there’s an expectation that WB could be taken over by a larger corporate entity.

David Corenswet is playing the title character in the upcoming “Superman” movie, which will be released in July. Warner Bros. has been actively marketing this project, with the initial trailer being unveiled as early as December. In addition, a sneak peek of the film was presented during this year’s Puppy Bowl, highlighting Krypto the Superdog’s part in the movie.

As a passionate moviegoer, I’m eagerly awaiting news from DC Studios about their future plans. While an official sequel to the iconic Superman film series hasn’t been revealed yet, director James Gunn has hinted that he’s penning a new script within the DC Universe – and it could potentially be for Superman 2. However, it’s important to note that this is just speculation at this point. Characters like Milly Alcock’s Supergirl and Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, who are part of this universe, help lay a solid foundation for the DC Universe’s upcoming projects.

It’s not unanticipated that Superman will have a significant impact in the DC Universe’s upcoming storylines; however, it’s worrying to learn that Warner Bros. studio’s future might hinge on this alone. Placing such immense pressure on any high-priced blockbuster, especially one focusing on a well-known character like Superman, seems excessive. A deeper examination of Warner Bros.’ business strategies could shed light on why the situation appears so critical. The current management has overseen several projects that either flopped at the box office or went over budget during production, causing rumors about Peter Safran, co-head of DC Studios, becoming the new CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures. Despite successes like Barbie and Dune: Part Two, there are worries that numerous forthcoming films (many of which are costly, original productions lacking a dedicated fanbase) may not attract enough viewers to cover their costs. If Warner Bros.’ films continue to underperform financially, they could be at risk of being sold, which would be a surprising development.

The theater is usually bustling during summer, and this year is no different as it’s stacked with high-profile studio releases. Specifically, “Superman” finds itself wedged between the opening of “Jurassic World Rebirth” on July 2nd and “Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps” on July 25th. These two movies present tough challenges; the past Jurassic World films have each grossed over $1 billion, and there’s a lot of buzz surrounding “Fantastic Four”. If these movies are well-received, “Superman” may need to work hard to make an impact at the box office. Fingers crossed that reviews for “Superman” are positive and fans turn out in large numbers to kick off a new chapter for DC.

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2025-03-12 19:12