David Zaslav Celebrates ‘Superman’ Success and Outlines Ambitious 10-Year Vision for DC Universe: ‘Momentum Is Real’
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is celebrating the strong start of the new “Superman” movie, which earned $122 million in the U.S. and $217 million worldwide during its opening weekend.
The film stars David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and it marks an important fresh start for the DC Universe.
After a tough run of box office disappointments with films like “The Flash,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Shazam: Fury of the Gods,” and “Blue Beetle,” Zaslav brought in James Gunn and Peter Safran in 2022 to lead DC Studios. Together, they created a bold 10-year plan with connected movies and spin-offs.
Upcoming projects include “Supergirl” and “Clayface” in 2026, plus a new “Wonder Woman” movie in the works.
Zaslav spoke about “Superman’s” success and the new direction during the film’s opening weekend. He said, “Three years ago, I hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to reimagine and unify the creative direction of DC under one leadership team, by breathing new life and excitement into one of the most iconic storytelling franchises in the world.”
He also praised the duo, saying, “James and Peter’s commitment to honoring the legacy of the DC Universe while forging something new and enthralling is inspired.”
Zaslav had been looking for a leader like Marvel’s Kevin Feige to revive the struggling DC Studios. When he first met Gunn, best known for directing the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, he immediately saw Gunn’s passion for DC characters. Zaslav said Gunn talked about them like they were family, which convinced him Gunn was the right person to direct the first new film in this rebooted universe.
While “Superman” had a solid opening, the movie’s $225 million budget means it needs to keep doing well at the box office to be considered a true hit. Zaslav remains confident, even as he watches how other comic book movies, like Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” have faced ups and downs. The last Superman solo movie, 2013’s “Man of Steel,” opened strong but didn’t build long-term excitement.
Still, Zaslav was excited and hopeful after the opening weekend. He said, “This weekend, we watched Superman soar as James Gunn’s passion and vision came to life on the big screen. Superman is just the first step.”
He also shared what’s coming next for DC Studios: “Over the next year alone, DC Studios will introduce the films ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Clayface’ in theaters and the series ‘Lanterns’ on HBO Max, all part of a bold 10-year plan. The DC vision is clear, the momentum is real, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!