With just over a week left until its North American debut, James Gunn’s Superman is facing box office uncertainty. The film launches the new DC Universe (DCU), but Superman pre-sales are reportedly slowing down.
Initially, box office analysts predicted a strong launch for Superman, with opening weekend numbers estimated between $185 million and $200 million. However, as new data emerges, Superman pre-sales have clearly shown signs of slowing. As a result, current projections have dropped, now suggesting a range of $125 million to $145 million. Moreover, some insiders even warn that the film could debut with as little as $90 million.
Superman Pre-Sales May Miss the Mark
On a recent episode of The Hot Mic podcast, host Jeff Sneider added more fuel to the speculation. He stated:
“I’m hearing the Superman pre-sales are slowing down a little bit. I have some sources saying this is looking at a $100 million opening, if that.”
Sneider had previously projected an optimistic launch:
“I have been bullish on this, saying this movie is going to do $160 million – $175 million. I think that what’s becoming more realistic is $120 million – $140 million.”
Is Superman Pre-Sales Tracking Still Reliable?
Sneider also questioned the validity of Hollywood’s tracking systems. As an example, he referenced M3GAN 2.0:
“Tracking is nonsense… M3GAN 2.0 was looking at a $45 million opening… it opened at $10 million. Tracking is the biggest scam in Hollywood.”
This growing skepticism has led many to take early tracking and Superman pre-sales data with a grain of salt.
Reportedly, Superman carries a production budget of around $225 million, excluding marketing. If it opens at or below $100 million, it could struggle to recoup its costs. While Warner Bros. Discovery has gone “all-in” on marketing—reportedly on par with Barbie—some argue the film lacks the mainstream appeal of Batman or Spider-Man.
Additionally, David Corenswet, who plays Clark Kent/Superman, is still relatively unknown to casual audiences.
James Gunn’s Comment Sparks Online Controversy
During a press tour interview with Reel Rejects, Gunn made a controversial remark while discussing how he deals with social media negativity:
“I do tune out most of social media, but every once in a while someone will say something, it’s always the weirdest stuff… and then I go, ‘I think I might be getting upset about something a 12-year-old in India is saying.’ You know what I mean? And I’m like, ‘Let it go.'”
The quote sparked backlash online, with some fans criticizing Gunn for dismissing legitimate fan feedback.
Countdown Begins: Can Superman Still Soar?
Despite these concerns, excitement remains high. The cast includes:
- David Corenswet as Superman
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
- With Isabela Merced, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, Edi Gathegi, Milly Alcock, and others
The film opens in theaters on July 11, 2025.
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