James Gunn’s new DC strategy separates Superman and Supergirl, promising fans they won’t have to watch both films to follow the story, a significant departure from Marvel’s approach that often requires extensive viewing. This bold move comes as DC and Marvel fight to retain relevance in a landscape where franchise fatigue runs high.
DC and Marvel Battle for Fan Loyalty as Strategies Diverge
James Gunn and Kevin Feige are steering the future of their respective superhero universes, seeking ways to keep their audience engaged as loyalty wanes. Years of rivalry between Marvel and DC enthusiasts have given way to a more urgent contest—each studio trying to arrest declining interest as core fans lose patience with overwhelming content requirements. As both franchises pull back from imminent danger and start laying groundwork for major forthcoming films, DC appears to be gaining favor by reevaluating audience expectations and how stories are delivered.
Moving Away from Interconnected Storytelling
Continuity has always played a central role in superhero films, with interconnected movies forming sprawling narratives that demand a significant investment from viewers. DC Studios began its cinematic universe following this established template, mirroring the Marvel strategy that built up the MCU. However, the transition of leadership from Zack Snyder to James Gunn marks a shift in trajectory.
With the upcoming releases of David Corenswet’s Superman and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, Gunn outlined his new philosophy during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He clarified that these two tentpole films would not have connected storylines, signaling a significant break from the past. Gunn’s intention is for each DC film to stand alone, so audiences can enjoy stories on their own merit and avoid feeling lost or obligated to catch up with earlier entries.
I am really trying to be careful that anybody can dip in and see the story that is up next and not feel like they’re missing information.
—James Gunn, Director
He further elaborated that Milly Alcock’s Supergirl will be crafted in such a way that viewers can watch it entirely independently of Corenswet’s Superman. This detachment suggests a larger strategic move: DC does not want every movie to be a prerequisite for the next, liberating the audience from the exhausting pressure of mass content consumption that has come to define superhero fandom.
Superman and Supergirl Chart Separate Courses
By confirming that storylines for Superman and Supergirl are not interconnected, James Gunn is sending a clear message to fans and the industry that DC Studios is charting a unique path. Both David Corenswet’s Superman and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl are positioned as milestone films, yet their separation allows more flexibility for who wants to see what, when, and without penalty.
Gunn’s vision appears designed to make the franchise more welcoming, recognizing the limitations of the past model. DC had earlier followed Marvel’s lead in requiring viewers to be up-to-date on prior storylines, but this unilateral approach often alienated new or casual fans.
Marvel’s ‘Homework’ Model Faces Scrutiny
James Gunn’s public remarks have sparked debate around Marvel’s cinematic strategy. Critics argue that, on paper, his move could undermine the interconnected value that once generated excitement and box office success. By allowing audiences to skip Superman if they prefer only Supergirl, concerns linger about cannibalizing revenue for individual films. Yet, Gunn appears unfazed by this risk, expressing trust in the DC audience to engage with the stories that interest them most.
Marvel, on the other hand, has long been criticized for making its audience feel obligated to binge-watch vast backlogs to keep up. The studio’s earlier tactics—releasing numerous linked projects within a short span—left many Marvel fans overwhelmed, frustrated, and sometimes disconnected from the overall franchise. Although Marvel has scaled back on excessive releases, its forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday exemplifies an exclusionary approach: To fully grasp the new film, viewers will need to have seen more than ten prior projects. This mounting ‘homework’ has been a source of anxiety and disappointment for superhero viewers across the fanbase.
Shifting Audience Preferences May Tilt the Balance
The divergence in approach reflects deeper shifts in how audiences perceive superhero franchises. Whereas Marvel’s model once created a unifying shared universe, the resulting fatigue has driven some fans away. Meanwhile, DC appears poised to attract both loyalists and newcomers by respecting viewers‘ time and focusing on standalone experiences. The ability to watch either Superman or Supergirl—or just one—without feeling left behind could foster renewed enthusiasm as the next phase of films releases.
Gunn’s willingness to let major storylines thrive independently breaks from the genre’s standard formula and may ultimately prove influential. As DC and Marvel compete for relevance and box office returns, this reimagined strategy could push other major studios to reconsider the balance between continuity and accessibility, placing the viewer‘s enjoyment back at the heart of blockbuster storytelling.
