MOVIE NEWS – Rejoice, superhero fans! James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe promises to avoid the missteps of past Batman and Superman films. The new cinematic universe will reintroduce the iconic heroes with fresh stories and actors, but don’t expect their origin stories to be retold.

James Gunn took to Threads to respond to a fan disappointed about the lack of origin stories for main heroes in the new DCU. The fan also criticized the perceived focus on “niche” characters like Sgt. Rock and Swamp Thing. Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, rebutted by confirming there will be no retelling of Batman or Superman’s origin stories because they are already well-known. He also defended Swamp Thing, asserting that the character is far from niche:
“I’m not telling Batman and Superman’s origin stories again because everyone knows them. And don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner. That’s a project in development we’ve actually announced, and he’s an incredibly well-known character with not only some of the greatest comics of all time but a successful film series and his own TV show—something that could be said of only a very small handful of DC characters.”

While origin stories are beloved for a reason, their widespread familiarity raises the question of why they are needed in live-action movies. For example, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice famously revisited the deaths of Martha and Thomas Wayne, to mixed reactions. Meanwhile, Matt Reeves’ The Batman skipped the origin story entirely, focusing on Bruce Wayne’s second year as a vigilante, earning widespread acclaim. Similarly, Superman & Lois proved that Superman’s journey to donning the iconic suit doesn’t need retelling to resonate.

The DCU Is Already Off to a Promising Start

If James Gunn sticks to his plan, the DCU’s fresh approach is already setting the stage for success. Creature Commandos will be the first project in the rebooted universe, while Superman, starring David Corenswet, will officially launch the cinematic side. Gunn has vowed to only greenlight projects with polished scripts, and so far, this includes Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, and the HBO series Lanterns. Rather than mimicking the MCU’s pace and volume, DC Studios is taking a slower, more deliberate approach to focus on quality in an oversaturated genre.

Fans eagerly await further news, with a trailer for Superman expected to drop in mid-December ahead of its summer 2025 release. While it may only tease the film lightly, early reactions hint at something special on the horizon.

Source: MovieWeb