Warner Bros. Discovery has made a key move to make sureSuperman’s release is not affected by a legal dispute.James Gunn’s Superman movieis important to Warner financially and creatively for the rest of the newDC Universe. Gunn has already talked about how all the franchise’s plans will only materialize ifSupermanis a hit, as the movie needs to have a healthy box office run to make sure other DCU projects get made. As such,Supermanneeds to be released in every market possible, which has a chance of not happening due to a lawsuit.
According toVariety,Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics moved to end the dispute over whetherSupermancould be released in key countries, trying to get the lawsuit over the character’s copyrights thrown out. The key territories involved are the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland. In the motion to dismiss filed by the studio, the main argument is that the mother of Mark Peary, the nephew of the late Superman co-creator Joe Shuster, who started the lawsuit last January, had already signed away the rights to Superman after Shuster died in 1992. As such,future DC moviesstarring Superman should be free of rights issues.
What Warner Bros' Move In The Superman Lawsuit Means
The Studio Is Using Past Events
Daniel Petrocelli, the studio’s attorney, commented on the matter, saying, “Peary’s complaint fails on every ground.” The complaint is rooted in how the Superman copyright assigned to the studio and DC would have beenautomatically terminated 25 years after Shuster diedin the mentioned territories. Warner’s move comes in response to that, after theSuperman movie lawsuit recently escalated, with Marc Toberoff, the estate’s attorney, wanting an injunction to block the studio from continuing to explore the franchise. Warner is questioning whether U.S. courts would have jurisdiction over the matter.
The DCU’s Superman Movie Legal Issues Aren’t The Only Copyright Problems DC Has Faced
James Gunn’s Superman movie faces a lawsuit that could block its release in certain countries, but that is not DC’s first time facing legal issues.
According to Toberoff, they do, all because the U.S. is a signatory to the Berne Convention. However, Warner’s new motion to dismiss argues that the U.S. courts, in fact, do not enforce the Berne Convention, sothe case should be dismissed over a lack of jurisdiction. Warner also mentions all the past legal disputes the studio has had with the estates of Shuster and Jerome Siegel, Superman’s co-creators. Shuster’s sister, Jean Peavy, signed away the character’s rights in an agreement that “fully settles all claims” related to the Superman copyrights. That and the jurisdiction argument give Warner a solid defense.
Our Take On Warner Bros' Move In The Superman Lawsuit
James Gunn’s Superman Movie Will Likely Be Released In The Disputed Countries
Based on howpast rulings on the matter, specifically those with the Shuster estate, have been favorable to Warner, I have a hard time believing thatSupermanwill be blocked from releasing in the UK and other key territories. The studio needs this movie to succeed, as it can serve as the foundation for a financially stable franchise and help Warner get things in order after a shaky few years. As such, I’m sure Warner is fully dedicated to making sureSupermanis not blocked from being released in certain countries, and the studio’s arguments look solid.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
