James Gunn has confirmed that Superman will arrive on digital platforms earlier than expected – and the reason ties directly to Peacemaker Season 2.
Speaking with ScreenRant, Gunn revealed that Warner Bros. and DC Studios pushed for the summer blockbuster’s early release on PVOD platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home so audiences can catch up before John Cena’s series returns on August 21 via HBO Max.
The director explained that the events of Superman are essential to understanding Peacemaker Season 2. Several characters introduced in the film, including Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), will appear in the new season, creating a direct narrative bridge within Gunn’s freshly launched DC Universe. “I wanted everyone to be able to see Superman, even those people who couldn’t get to a theater before Peacemaker,” Gunn said.
Superman opened in theaters on July 11 and quickly became a box office juggernaut, grossing $334 million domestically and approaching $600 million worldwide. Despite the impressive run, Warner Bros. made the unusual decision to release the film digitally just over a month after its theatrical debut. The move sparked disappointment among fans who wanted to see the movie enjoy a longer exclusive run on the big screen.
When ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley told Gunn it was “heartbreaking” to see the film leave theaters so soon, Gunn sympathized. “Me too,” he admitted, before explaining the reasoning. According to Gunn, the scheduling changes for Peacemaker Season 2 were beyond their control, but ultimately, he prioritized accessibility for fans eager to stay caught up with the DCU’s unfolding storyline.
Importantly, the digital rollout does not mark the end of Superman’s theatrical campaign. The film will continue playing in cinemas worldwide even as it becomes available at home. Its fifth weekend still brought in an impressive $7 million, suggesting strong staying power at the box office despite the PVOD release.
This strategy highlights how Gunn is carefully weaving together the cinematic and streaming arms of DC Studios. By aligning Superman’s availability with Peacemaker’s release, he ensures fans have the full context heading into the next chapter of his connected universe. With new heroes crossing over between the big screen and streaming series, Gunn’s DCU appears intent on blurring the lines between mediums while keeping audiences fully engaged.
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