James Gunn, the director, writer, and producer of the new DC Studios film Superman, earned $15 million for his work on the project, according to Variety. The movie, released under Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios alongside co-chairman Peter Safran, has impressed audiences and industry insiders alike with a worldwide box office total of $250 million so far. This includes $155 million from domestic theaters and $95 million internationally, achieved against a substantial production budget of $225 million, not counting an additional $125 million spent on marketing.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav praised Superman’s opening weekend, describing it as “just the first step” in a decade-long plan to revitalize the DC Universe. Gunn’s compensation as co-chairman and CEO reportedly sits in the seven-figure range, making his $15 million payday the highest among the film’s contributors.
Cast Salaries Reflect Industry Norms for Emerging Superhero Talent
The leading actors portraying key characters received comparatively modest paychecks reflective of their status as newcomers to superhero films. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan earned around $750,000 each for their roles as Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively. This is consistent with first-time superhero salaries; as a comparison, Henry Cavill was paid approximately $300,000 for his lead role in 2013’s Man of Steel.
Nicholas Hoult, appearing as Lex Luthor, commanded the highest salary within the cast at $2 million. Hoult brings significant blockbuster experience, having starred in Fox’s X-Men films and Warner Bros.’ Mad Max: Fury Road. Industry analyst Matt Belloni noted that the trio of Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult are also
“in line for box office bonuses,”
though specifics regarding these incentives remain undisclosed.
Supporting Cast Comprises Rising Stars Rather Than Established Movie Names
The principal cast of Superman features a collection of relatively lesser-known actors rather than high-profile Hollywood stars, a casting strategy highlighted in Matt Belloni’s reporting. This approach helped to keep salaries manageable while investing in emerging talent. Notably, Edi Gathegi plays Mr. Terrific, Isabela Merced takes on the role of Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion appears as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan portrays Metamorpho.
The film also includes subtle cameos, such as Milly Alcock as Supergirl and a surprising appearance from Bradley Cooper as Jor-El, Superman’s father. Cooper stands out as the most prominent name connected to this Superman iteration, even when compared to previous versions, including Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, which featured stars like Amy Adams and Russell Crowe.
James Gunn’s Casting Philosophy Focuses on Uncovering New Talent
James Gunn discussed his casting choices with CNN, emphasizing his knack for identifying actors who have yet to reach stardom.
“I think I’m really good at finding people who become huge stars,”
Gunn said. He added praise for David Corenswet, calling him
“the biggest movie star in the world and people don’t know it yet,”
while drawing a parallel to his early support of Chris Pratt’s talent and appeal.
Superman’s Box Office Performance Signals a Positive Turn for DC Studios
Superman is DC’s most profitable release since 2022’s The Batman, which garnered $772 million globally. Although the new film’s international revenue is lower, industry watchers anticipate Superman could finish with approximately $600 million worldwide, a commendable achievement given recent struggles that affected the DC brand from 2020 to 2023. The film’s favorable reception among fans and critics lends confidence to DC Studios’ evolving cinematic universe.
Jeff Goldstein, President of Global Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, remarked,
“What we always hoped to achieve with Superman was winning back the trust of our DC fans and indeed, they have enthusiastically embraced our first entry in an exciting new theatrical universe.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of the DC Cinematic Universe Post-Superman
With Superman solidifying the foundation of the newly restructured DC Universe, studios are likely to capitalize on this momentum for upcoming projects. The film remains exclusively in theaters as of now, maintaining steady box office figures. Its success is crucial for Warner Bros. and DC Studios as they plan the next phase in their ten-year strategy, potentially accelerating the development of other anticipated titles, including a new Wonder Woman installment.
James Gunn’s role at DC Studios and his $15 million payday underscore the confidence placed in his vision and leadership as the franchise seeks to re-establish its place in the superhero film landscape amid fierce competition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. The updated CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation was inspired by Ozu. Although Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still values prayer, he also describes himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
