James Gunn’sSupermanhas been one of the most promising superhero movies in recent memory, but not everything is peaches and cream when it comes to the rights behind the film’s release. Warner Bros. Discovery, which has been enthusiastically marketing the DCU reboot torecord-breaking numbers, is the subject of a new lawsuit that takes aim at the company’s ability to produce and release theatrical Superman-related projects. David Corenswet’s Superman is set to make a splash on the big screen in the United States this summer,but several major markets are now in jeopardy, including Canada and the United Kingdom.
According to a report by theWall Street Journal(via Deadline), Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics are being sued by the estate of the late Superman co-creator Joseph Schuster. The estate does not believe that the studio has the ability to release the film in select countries due to an alleged lack of foreign rights to the original comic book origins. The lawsuit putsSuperman’s theatrical release inthe United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and Australia, which are vital markets for the studio, in question. A quote from the official document provided byDeadline:
“Plaintiff, as executor of the Shuster Estate, seeks damages and injunctive relief for Defendants’ ongoing infringement in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, as well as declaratory relief establishing the Shuster Estate’s ownership rights across relevant jurisdictions. The matter is ripe for adjudication, as Defendants are actively planning a major new Superman motion picture and other derivative works for imminent worldwide release.”
AlthoughSupermanis well on its way to theaters in the United States and several other countries this summer, it seems WB will have to spend some time working out its theatrical in some major international markets. However, the studio is no stranger to fighting lawsuits, especially because the copyright laws of their most iconic characters have slowly become the subject of disputes. The odds that the film is blocked or significantly delayed from releasing in the aforementioned territories seems slim.WB, along with DC Studios, is riding onSupermanto be their biggest release of the year, and hitting every major country on the globe is instrumental to that goal.
‘Superman’ Sets Major Teaser Release for Super Bowl Weekend
Despite the recent lawsuit, marketing forSupermanis still full-steam ahead. During the upcoming Super Bowl weekend, Warner Bros. is planning on releasing a brand-new teaser for the film. However, they won’t be airing a commercial at the sporting event, as James Gunn will bepremiering a TV spot at the Puppy Bowl.The counterprogramming initiative works against several major blockbusters also heading into theaters this summer that will be releasing their first trailers during the NFL Super Bowl championship game.FromFantastic FourtoJurassic World: Rebirth,Supermanhas a lot of competition going into the popular sports event.
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The lack of a Super Bowl TV spot for Superman is not too shocking, as Warner Bros. tends to skip out on the sporting event. Of course, it would likely benefit from appearing in front of an incredibly wide national audience, but it seems WB is confident about the movie’s chances already. The official debut of the DCU,Supermanhas the weight of a rebooted cinematic universe on its shoulders, but fans have already responded positively to the film’s first trailer (althougha recently-released clip proved to be divisive).
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.”
