James Gunn urges positivity amid Superman and Fantastic Four fan rivalry as heated online debates intensify before both superhero films debut in July, with Superman arriving two weeks ahead of The Fantastic Four. The director behind DC Studios is calling for calm and celebrating friendly competition, encouraging fans to focus on excitement rather than rivalry as the two blockbuster releases approach.
James Gunn’s Supportive Response to Fan Rivalry
With growing anticipation for both Superman and The Fantastic Four arriving in July, conversations have erupted on social media about which film will claim box office glory. A fan directly questioned James Gunn, now the creative force at DC Studios, about his feelings toward Marvel’s big reboot launching alongside his Superman project. Gunn’s answer was uplifting and showed his enduring support for friends at Marvel despite leading DC’s superhero universe.
“They come out two weeks after us – there’s room for us both! I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you’d want to find online. I’d focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Head
His remarks on Threads encouraged moviegoers to focus on what each film brings to audiences instead of divisive arguments, steering attention to excitement and camaraderie across both fandoms.
Superhero Showdown: DC and Marvel Head to Head in July
This summer, Superman is set for a July 11 release, putting DC ahead by exactly two weeks before Marvel’s take on The Fantastic Four launches on July 25. As both films gear up for major premieres, online discussion has naturally divided some fans into Marvel and DC factions. While this rivalry has a storied past—Superman and other DC icons regularly facing off against Marvel’s heroes in pop culture—the conversation this year has taken on fresh energy thanks to the near-simultaneous premieres.
The Marvel-DC rivalry isn’t limited to the big screen. This season, the companies jointly announced a Batman vs Deadpool comic crossover, suggesting that playful competition spans across their storytelling platforms and not just in movie theaters.
James Gunn’s Legacy with Marvel
Although he now oversees DC Studios, James Gunn’s reputation is closely tied to Marvel. Across nearly ten years, Gunn wrote and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy as well as the Guardians Holiday Special, developing a distinctive voice with Kevin Feige and Marvel’s creative team. His involvement also extended to producing major Marvel event films Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, plus the I Am Groot Disney+ special, reflecting deep collaborative ties between his past and present roles.
Upcoming Release Details and Fierce July Competition
Superman, directed by Gunn and starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, arrives in theaters on July 11. Two weeks later, on July 25, Marvel will debut The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman and featuring familiar names like Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. This superhero double feature will also contend with Jurassic World Rebirth, which hits screens July 2 and stars Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, under the direction of Gareth Edwards.
With such a star-packed month ahead, both Marvel and DC are poised for a thrilling box office season. Gunn’s message—reminding fans of the shared excitement and creative friendships on both sides—invites audiences to enjoy the spectacle and keep discussions good-natured as July’s cinematic showdown unfolds.
