The 2025 box office is facing a slump, but Warner Bros. is hopeful that its upcoming lineup—led by the much-anticipated Superman film—can turn things around. At the annual CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas, director James Gunn showcased a diverse array of films, with Superman taking center stage.
Gunn, who’s helming the first movie in the new DC Universe, expressed his passion for the project. “I really do believe in this movie. I believe there’s a lack of human kindness—or at least a degradation of it,” he said. “This film celebrates kindness and human love.”
Joining Gunn on stage were the film’s stars, David Corenswet (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), who shared their excitement about the project. Corenswet reflected on the iconic nature of Superman, saying, “It’s a great honor to play a role that exists so clearly in the public consciousness. Even if you haven’t seen a film or read a comic, you know what the Superman symbol stands for.”
Brosnahan praised Gunn’s collaborative approach, calling his sets “a family.” She added, “It’s such a joy to come to work every day. Not every set feels like that.”
Gunn’s involvement with the DC Universe began in 2023 when he and Peter Safran were named co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios. Safran highlighted the film’s significance, saying, “It’s the fulcrum of our ambitious DC Studios slate. James shot all over the world and pushed filmmaking technology to its limits to bring audiences back to theaters.”
Superman is set for a July release, amidst a crowded summer of superhero films, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Thunderbolts.
Warner Bros. also teased other upcoming projects at CinemaCon. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and A Minecraft Movie are on the horizon, along with Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Regina Hall, slated for a September release. DiCaprio praised Anderson’s vision, describing the film as “politically and culturally resonant, with an epic scope.”
Additionally, director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer gave audiences a sneak peek of F1, a Formula One racing drama starring Brad Pitt, set to premiere in June.
While the spotlight was on upcoming films, CinemaCon also served as a platform to discuss industry trends, including debates over theatrical window lengths and the growing influence of streaming platforms on movie production.
