Warner Bros. Discovery has made a key move to make sure Superman‘s release is not affected by a legal dispute. James Gunn’s Superman movie is important to Warner financially and creatively for the rest of the new DC Universe. Gunn has already talked about how all the franchise’s plans will only materialize if Superman is a hit, as the movie needs to have a healthy box office run to make sure other DCU projects get made. As such, Superman needs to be released in every market possible, which has a chance of not happening due to a lawsuit.

According to Variety, Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics moved to end the dispute over whether Superman could 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 movies starring 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 ᴀssigned to the studio and DC would have been automatically terminated 25 years after Shuster died in the mentioned territories. Warner’s move comes in response to that, after the Superman 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.

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, so the 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 how past rulings on the matter, specifically those with the Shuster estate, have been favorable to Warner, I have a hard time believing that Superman will 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 sure Superman is not blocked from being released in certain countries, and the studio’s arguments look solid.

Upcoming DC Movie Releases

• 
  
  

  
  

  Superman

  Release Date

  
  July 11, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

  Release Date

  
  June 26, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  The Batman Part II

  Release Date

  
  October 1, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

Source: Variety