James Gunn Confirms DCU Won’t Retell Batman & Superman’s Origin Stories

Rejoice, superhero fans, as James Gunn’s DCU won’t be repeating the same mistake previous Batman and Superman films have made. The upcoming rebooted cinematic universe will be re-introducing the iconic characters back onto the big screen with brand-new stories and actors playing them after the DCEU failed to find its footing. And while projects like Superman will feature a totally new version of the superhero, don’t expect Gunn to retell his or Batman’s origin stories anytime soon.

Gunn went to Threads to reply to a comment from a fan who expressed disappointment in the DCU not embracing origin stories for its main heroes. Moreover, they expressed contempt for the fact that DC is seemingly prioritizing “niche” characters like Sgt. Rock and Swamp Thing instead. The co-CEO of DC Studios rebutted by confirming that they won’t be telling Batman or Superman’s origin stories again because they are well-known, and iconic names like Swamp Thing (who is not niche, mind you) deserve their recognition too. Most DC fans will probably agree with Gunn’s nuanced sentiment:

“I’m not telling Batman and Superman’s origin stories again because everyone knows them. And don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner. That’s a project in development we’ve actually announced, and he’s an incredibly well known character with not only some of the greatest comics of all time but a successful film series and his own TV show, something that could be said of only a very small handful of DC characters.”

While it’s true that their origin stories are beloved for a reason, the fact they are so well-known begs the question of why the live-action movies need them. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice famously reinterpreted the all-too-familiar Martha and Thomas Wayne death scene to the dismay of some (probably the least problematic part of the film, in all fairness). Meanwhile, Matt Reeves’ The Batman took the route of focusing on Bruce Wayne in his second year as a vigilante, forgoing his origin story completely and receiving widespread acclaim. And Superman and Lois most recently proved that you don’t need to retell the exact details of Kal-El’s journey before he puts on the iconic suit.

DCU is Already Off to a Good Start

As long as James Gunn keeps his word, DCU is already off to a good start with its exciting release schedule. Creature Commandos will be the first entry into the new universe, while Superman starring David Corenswet will officially introduce it on the big screen. Gunn’s mantra has been to only greenlight projects that have a polished script in place, and so far that includes Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, and the HBO series Lanterns, among others. Instead of attempting to chase the pace and quantity of projects in the MCU, DC Studios is taking a steadier, more focused approach that prioritizes quality in a genre that feels like it is fleeting.

Related James Gunn Clarifies Where ‘Lanterns’ Fits on the New DCU Release Timeline

HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ could arrive before ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’

While fans await more news on the upcoming DCU slate, a trailer for Superman is set to release sooner rather than later. The latest reports indicate that the teaser is set to debut in theaters and online in mid-December, well before its summer 2025 release date. Most assume it won’t show a lot of footage, similar to how WB handled the first Barbie teaser, but early reactions already indicate that we have a special film on our horizon.

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.’ rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”

Release Date July 11, 2025

Cast David Corenswet , Rachel Brosnahan , María Gabriela De Faría , Edi Gathegi , Nicholas Hoult , Frank Grillo , Nathan Fillion , Milly Alcock , Sara Sampaio , Pruitt Taylor Vince , Skyler Gisondo , Anthony Carrigan , Wendell Pierce , Beck Bennett , Sean Gunn

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