James Gunn Has A Good Reason For Why Superman Is Coming To Digital So Soon

Following the announcement of the digital release of DC Studios’ Superman, director James Gunn explains why the DC Universe movie is coming out early on VOD. 2025 became a great year for the Man of Steel in the world of cinema, as the Superman movie brought the DC icon back for Gunn’s new DCU franchise.

After many positive reviews and a solid box office run, Superman’s digital release date was recently announced, and it’s way sooner than many were expecting. Thankfully, Gunn is finally explaining why Superman will become available through Digital sooner rather than later.

ScreenRant’s own Liam Crowley interviewed Gunn for Peacemaker season 2, where he spoke with the DC Studios co-CEO about Superman’s early digital release announcement. When asked why Superman is getting such an early digital release, Gunn shared the following explanation that is related to the Peacemaker TV show itself:

ScreenRant: Superman was such a mᴀssive success, over half a billion dollars worldwide, and it really set the stage for the DCU moving forward. I was a little heartbroken to see it’s already going to be on digital so soon after because I love a good long theatrical campaign.

James Gunn: Me too.

ScreenRant: What was the mindset in going to streaming that soon after?

James: Well, it’s very complicated, but the truth is it is because of Peacemaker. I originally thought Peacemaker was going to be coming out next month. There was a lot of things that are beyond our control, so that Peacemaker is coming out now, and, at the end of the day, I wanted everyone to be able to see Superman that wanted to, even those people who couldn’t get to a theater before Peacemaker. And that’s really the reason for it.

Peacemaker season 2 will take place a month after the events of Gunn’s DCU movie, as John Cena had a special cameo in the film as Christopher Smith, marking one of many Easter eggs and DC references in Superman. Several Superman characters, like Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr., will be back for Peacemaker season 2.

What James Gunn’s Superman Digital Release Comments Mean

David Corenswet as Superman flying in front of a burning building

While this is the first time that it has been mentioned that Peacemaker season 2 was initially eying a September debut on HBO Max, Gunn’s explanation is also a sign that DC Studios is leaning into the marketing of the DCU franchise. As Gunn has teased that there will be connectivity between Superman and Peacemaker season 2, having the movie available ahead of the HBO Max premiere is smart.

Even though there were concerns about how this would affect Superman’s box office performance for the remainder of its run, it’s not stopping cinema-goers from catching the film in theaters, as they may prefer to see big blockbusters like Gunn’s film on the big screen. Given that Superman is already 2025’s highest-grossing superhero film, its early digital release is not going to hurt DC Studios at this point.

Our Take On James Gunn’s Superman Digital Release Comments

David Corenswet as Superman holding the kaiju's foot in Superman 2025

After hearing Gunn’s explanation about Superman getting an early digital release, it makes a lot more sense now why DC Studios made this decision, with the additional context. Time will tell if Peacemaker season 2 will feature David Corenswet’s Man of Steel after the Superman post-credits scenes.

As the Superman Saga is just getting started, time will tell what other effects the movie will have on Peacemaker season 2. Hopefully, following the success of Superman, more details about the hero’s DCU future will be revealed sooner rather than later.

Peacemaker season 2 premieres on Thursday, August 21, on HBO Max.