This summer, superhero fans are in for a blockbuster showdown as two cinematic heavyweights prepare to dominate the box office. The DC Universe reboot Superman is set to launch on July 11, followed two weeks later by Marvel’s highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps, arriving on July 25. As online debates heat up between DC and Marvel loyalists, DCU co-head James Gunn is taking a step back from the digital battlefield, choosing instead to celebrate the strengths of both franchises.
Responding on Threads to a question about The Fantastic Four amid growing fan rivalry, Gunn said, “They come out two weeks after us—there's room for us both! I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you'd want to find online. I'd focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars.”
Gunn brings a unique perspective to the DC-MCU dynamic. He previously wrote and directed Marvel’s beloved Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. At the same time, his work on DC’s 2021 The Suicide Squad proved he could deliver bold, character-driven storytelling within the DC fold. Now, as co-leader of the reimagined DCU alongside Peter Safran, Gunn has written, directed, and produced Superman, setting the tone for a revitalized universe that Warner Bros. hopes will surpass the uneven success of the previous DCEU era.
With multiple DCU films and series in development, future clashes with Marvel are inevitable. Take Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026—just over a month before Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31, 2026. On the small screen, DC’s HBO series Lanterns is slated for 2026, going head-to-head with Marvel Television’s slate on Disney+, including Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and Vision Quest.
For now, all eyes are on July’s dual releases. Both Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps face immense pressure to deliver strong box office numbers and re-energize their respective universes. Yet, despite the competition, Marvel and DC are proving they can collaborate in exciting ways. In 2025, the two publishers will unite for a landmark comic book crossover: a pair of one-shot specials featuring Batman and Deadpool. This marks the first true inter-universe collaboration in over two decades—and it’s not a one-off. A follow-up crossover is already in development for 2026, signaling a new era of creative synergy between the rival publishers.
Regardless of which side of the superhero spectrum you favor, one thing is clear: July 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable month for fans. With major releases on the horizon and groundbreaking collaborations in the works, the future of superhero entertainment has never looked brighter.
