The DC Universe's first film, the highly anticipated Superman remake, may have to do more than leap tall buildings in a single bound to prevent Warner Bros' foundations from crumbling. A new report claims the success of the upcoming remake could determine the future of the studio and its hierarchy.
According to Puck (via ComicBookMovie), Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav is considering replacing Warner Bros. Pictures bosses Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, with Peter Safran, Gunn's co-CEO at DC Studios. Zaslav is reportedly unhappy with Warner Bros' direction following an underwhelming string of blockbusters, including the Razzie-winning Joker: Folie à Deux, which triggered nine-figure losses for the studio.
A big factor in Zaslav's decision-making is Superman and the DC Universe, which Warner Bros. is banking on to earn major success and turn the studio's fortunes around. The report states that Superman is of "almost incalculable importance" to Warner Bros., with a "genuine fear" that the long-standing entity could end up like 20th Century Fox, struggling to self-sustain and requiring another major studio to acquire them.
"An essential element of the stock price is believing that the I.P. of DC is meaningful. David [Zaslav] bet big that they can show the world that the DC IP can have real value. Supermanis the first movie. That will set the tone. They have a tremendous amount riding on it," one studio veteran said. Warner Bros. has long struggled to garner the success they've hoped for regarding their comic book films.
Zaslav Has Become Increasingly Unpopular
Given that several movies in the now-defunct DC Extended Universe attracted underwhelming critical and/or commercial success, Superman faces significant pressure to change fortunes. Meanwhile, Zaslav has increasingly become an unpopular Hollywood figure, given his reputation for cost-cutting and making movies on the cheap. Two movies were scrapped mid-production under Zaslav's leadership, including the DCEU's Batgirl.
Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, the DCU's Superman chronicles Clark Kent's early days at the Daily Planet, his budding relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and his journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his adoptive family in Smallville, Kansas. Gunn directed, wrote and produced the project, whose first trailer became a hit following its release in December 2024.
The superhero blockbuster also features Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner/Green Lantern), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific) and Wendell Pierce (Perry White). The Superman reboot is the first of a six-film slate under the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. It precedes the in-production Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, Clayface, The Authority and Swamp Thing.
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