MOVIE NEWS – James Gunn’s Superman has generated massive buzz as one of the most promising superhero films in recent years. However, behind the scenes, legal troubles threaten to disrupt the film’s global rollout. Warner Bros. Discovery, which has aggressively marketed its DCU reboot, is now facing a lawsuit challenging its rights to distribute Superman-related movies in select international territories. While David Corenswet’s Superman is set to hit U.S. theaters this summer, key markets like Canada and the United Kingdom are now in jeopardy.

According to The Wall Street Journal (via Deadline), the estate of late Superman co-creator Joseph Shuster has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics. The legal dispute claims that Warner Bros. lacks the proper rights to release the film in certain countries, as it allegedly does not hold international distribution rights to Superman’s original comic book origins. As a result, the film’s theatrical debut in major territories like the UK, Canada, Ireland, and Australia is now uncertain. A statement from the legal filing, shared by Deadline, reads:

“The Plaintiff, acting as executor of the Shuster Estate, seeks damages and injunctive relief against Defendants’ ongoing infringement in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Additionally, declaratory relief is sought to affirm the Shuster Estate’s ownership rights in relevant jurisdictions. This matter requires urgent adjudication, as Defendants are actively planning a major new Superman motion picture and related derivative works for imminent worldwide release.”

Despite these legal complications, Superman is still set for a U.S. theatrical release, and it is unlikely that Warner Bros. will allow the lawsuit to cause significant delays. The studio has faced legal battles over intellectual property before, particularly concerning its most iconic characters. Given that Superman is expected to be WB and DC’s biggest release of the year, resolving this dispute quickly will be a top priority.

Superman Teaser Set to Premiere Over Super Bowl Weekend

Even with legal hurdles, Superman’s marketing push remains full speed ahead. Warner Bros. plans to release a new teaser during the upcoming Super Bowl weekend, but it won’t be in the traditional game-time commercial slots. Instead, James Gunn will premiere a TV spot during the Puppy Bowl, countering major summer blockbusters that will debut trailers during the NFL championship game. Competing films include Fantastic Four and Jurassic World: Rebirth.

While skipping a Super Bowl ad might seem unusual, Warner Bros. has often avoided spending big on the event. Though exposure to a massive audience would be beneficial, the studio appears confident in Superman’s momentum. As the official launch of the new DCU, this film carries immense weight, and fans have already responded positively to its initial trailer—despite a recently released clip causing some division.

Source: MovieWeb