James Gunn admits he was “unhappy” filming SUPERMAN and that the future of the DCU depends on its success

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has always been a rollercoaster of successes and failures, but the brand has suffered a significant decline after 2022 Black Adam failed, setting off a series of box office disappointments.

While Blue Beetle managed to garner some positive reviews, the DCEU’s reputation had been largely tarnished, leaving fans with more skepticism than enthusiasm.

This is where James Gunn AND Pietro Safran those who, at the beginning of 2023, had the task of reviewing the franchise as co-CEOs of DC Studios enter the scene.

Gunn and Safran quickly unveiled a new slate of interconnected film and television projects under the DC Studios banner, and the DCU was designed to replace the faltering DCEU. But despite all the great promise, the survival of the DCU may very well depend on one project… the imminent arrival of Gunn Superman movie.

In a recent interview published by io9, Gunn admitted on the film’s set that the pressure of rebooting Superman was far from easy. Gunn confessed, “I’m unhappy. Really, I’m unhappy. But hopefully, it’s for the greater good.”

That “greater good” refers to the fate of the entire DCU. While you design how Supergirl: the woman of tomorrow, Peacemaker season 2, Lanternsand the one recently announced Clay face are on the horizon, Gunn has made it clear that their future depends on the success of his Superman film.

“Very [is riding on Superman]” he admitted. “I mean, we’re not just going to keep making movies.”

This recognition highlights what is at stake for Gunn. For years, Superman has struggled to recapture its former box office glory. Movies like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice AND Justice League has tarnished his cinematic reputation in the eyes of many fans, raising questions about whether the character can still appeal to audiences.

And with Gunn’s Superman reboot placed among the highly anticipated Marvel The Fantastic Four and the next one will be Universal Jurassic world installment, the challenge becomes even greater.

Despite the enormous pressure, Gunn’s passion for storytelling has always been a driving force in his career. While he may have been “miserable” making the film, we can only hope that his misery translates into a film that reinvigorates the Man of Steel and the DC brand as a whole.

The big question is… can Superman rise to the occasion and carry the DCU on his shoulders? If not, the reboot could also spell the end of Gunn’s ambitious new universe before it even truly begins.