James Gunn Shuns Fan Rivalries as Superman and The Fantastic Four Gear Up for July Clash

This July, two major superhero films will vie for box office dominance, with the DCU's Superman debuting on July 11 and the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps arriving on July 25. Amid online feuds between DC and Marvel fans, DCU co-chief James Gunn has expressed disinterest in engaging with internet rivalries, choosing instead to highlight the strengths of both movies.

On the social platform Threads, Gunn was questioned about The Fantastic Four amid fan-driven Marvel-DC debates.

“They release two weeks after us,” Gunn responded, “there’s space for both films! I have great friends at Marvel. You can dive into whatever online debates you want, but I’d rather focus on the excitement surrounding these movies than get caught up in fan conflicts.”

Gunn has a storied history with Marvel, having penned and directed the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. He’s also no stranger to DC, having helmed the acclaimed 2021 The Suicide Squad.

As co-head of the revamped DCU with Peter Safran, Gunn wrote, directed, and produced Superman, guiding the franchise toward what Warner Bros. hopes will be a more triumphant era than the former DCEU. Several DCU films and TV projects are in development, setting the stage for future clashes with Marvel.

For instance, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is slated for June 26, 2026, just weeks before Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31, 2026. On the small screen, DCU’s HBO series Lanterns will launch in 2026, coinciding with Marvel Television’s releases, including Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and Vision Quest on Disney+.

For now, all eyes are on Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, both under intense pressure to deliver blockbuster results. Regardless of your comic book allegiance, July promises an electrifying month for superhero enthusiasts.

Adding to the excitement, Marvel and DC have united for a major 2025 comic book event, announcing two one-shot crossover specials featuring Batman and Deadpool. This marks the first true Marvel-DC crossover in over two decades. Beyond Deadpool/Batman #1 and Batman/Deadpool #1, the publishers are already planning another crossover for 2026.