What's Inside?
- Chuck Dixon believes James Gunn’s DCU is finished after Superman and Peacemaker, calling the filmmaker’s direction disappointing.
- Despite strong reviews, Superman underperformed financially, fueling Dixon’s claim that Gunn failed to deliver a true DCU revival.
- Warner Bros. Discovery’s potential sale raises fresh doubts about the DCU’s stability, though Gunn’s upcoming projects remain in motion.
Former Batman writer Chuck Dixon, a respected yet often outspoken figure in the comic book industry, has ignited new controversy around James Gunn’s DC Universe (DCU). In a candid interview with Fandom Pulse, Dixon didn’t hold back his thoughts about Gunn’s future at DC Studios, saying bluntly that he believes “it’s over” for the filmmaker after Superman and Peacemaker. His remarks have sparked a storm of debate among fans already anxious about the uncertain direction of Warner Bros. Discovery’s superhero division.
Chuck Dixon Believes “it’s over” for James Gunn’s DCU
Chuck Dixon, known for shaping some of Batman’s most iconic stories in the 1990s, made it clear he’s not impressed by James Gunn’s performance as DC’s creative head. “I think it’s over for him,” Dixon stated. “Superman failed no matter how you look at it. If it was a Hawkman or a Martian Manhunter movie he might have escaped the hammer that’s about to drop on him.”
While many critics and audiences praised Gunn’s Superman, which earned an impressive 83% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a strong 90% audience score, Dixon argued that the film’s financials told another story. “He failed to even break even on a Superman movie. When you have all the good wishes that come with the world’s most famous superhero on your side and fail to make a profit it’s bad. Real bad,” he continued. “The lack of renewal for Peacemaker is a sign. He will not be a part of the DCU (if there even is a DCU) after the upcoming sale of Warners.”
Despite Dixon’s claims, Superman grossed more than $616 million globally against a $215 million production budget, becoming one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year. The movie’s success with fans and critics suggested that Gunn’s vision might be connecting, even if it didn’t shatter records.
Still, Dixon’s criticism isn’t new. He has long expressed skepticism about Gunn’s direction for DC, calling his slate of projects “extremely underwhelming.” He once remarked, “For some reason, I don’t think James Gunn is a Louis B. Mayer. I don’t think he knows what the audience wants.” According to Dixon, Gunn’s mistake lies in relying too heavily on modern comic book storylines rather than DC’s classic tales. “The other thing I find perplexing is that so much of this new material is going to be based on relatively new comics… These are like recent reboots, reiterations, or reimaginings. And that’s fine except they’re not comics that sold particularly well.”
He ended his comments with striking indifference: “So for me it’s both concerning and I don’t care. I really don’t care.” Yet, his repeated critiques show that he clearly does care about where Gunn is taking the DCU — and he’s not shy about saying so.
The Uncertain Future of Warner Bros. and What it Means for the DCU
The controversy around Gunn’s leadership comes at a time of major upheaval for Warner Bros. Discovery. Reports suggest that new bids from Paramount and other companies have been made to acquire the media giant. Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav confirmed that the board is reviewing “strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value” amid “unsolicited interest” from multiple parties.
While some fear that this potential sale could derail Gunn’s DCU, company insiders say otherwise. The previously announced separation of Warner Bros. and Discovery Global suggests that DC Studios’ operations would remain unaffected, even in the event of a sale.
For now, Gunn’s roadmap for the DCU continues. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, starring Milly Alcock, is set for release in June 2026. David Corenswet will return as Superman in Man of Tomorrow in 2027. Other projects, including Lanterns and Clayface, are moving ahead, giving fans reason to believe the DCU is far from finished.
Still, Dixon’s remarks add fuel to ongoing fan debates about whether Gunn’s creative leadership can truly revive the DC brand. His biting commentary may reflect a faction of fans and creators still loyal to DC’s past, wary of a future that feels too experimental.
In the end, Gunn’s DCU may not be “over” — but it’s clearly under a microscope. With passionate critics like Dixon and a massive corporate shakeup looming, the next few years will determine whether James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe soars like Superman or falters before it ever truly takes flight.
