Superman Targets $130M Weekend: Can Gunn's Reboot Dodge the Woke Bomb?

The red cape is flying again, and expectations are soaring sky-high — but so is skepticism.

James Gunn’s Superman reboot is tracking for a $130 million domestic opening, with Warner Bros. cautiously managing expectations at “$100 million+.” That’s a big number, sure — but in today’s Hollywood landscape, big budgets and iconic IPs don’t always guarantee big wins. Just ask Disney. DC shouldn't take this challenge lightly, if die-hard dedicated Superman fans do show up and are disappointed with political propaganda shoved down their throats, they could lose big in the long run.

Remember the Snow White live-action remake? Touted as a progressive reimagining, it flopped horribly at the box office — a brutal reminder that when you go woke, you often go broke.

For DC Studios, this launch is a critical moment. If lifelong Superman fans show up only to find another round of heavy-handed messaging and ideological overreach, the backlash could be brutal. Audiences are craving heroes — not lectures. And if Gunn’s Superman misses that mark, it might cost DC more than just opening weekend hype. It could damage long-term trust in the brand. 

Now, with Gunn leading the charge as both writer-director and co-head of DC Studios, there’s a lot riding on Superman. The question isn’t just whether DC fans will show up — it’s whether audiences are done being lectured in what used to be a space for heroes, hope, and escapism.

Let’s be clear: We love comics. We love movies. And we love Superman.

But many Americans — from the left, right, and center — are saying enough is enough. Politics doesn’t belong in our popcorn. And no matter how iconic the cape, no one is more powerful than the wallets of everyday moviegoers.

Gunn, perhaps emboldened by his dual role atop Warner Bros.' superhero empire, seems to believe that slapping the "DC" logo on his film automatically grants it cultural immunity. But audiences aren’t buying blind anymore. Not after a string of box office bombs wrapped in social messaging.

There’s no denying Superman’s legacy. From Snyder’s Man of Steel ($116M debut) to 2016’s Batman v Superman ($166M), the Kryptonian has drawn crowds — but also scrutiny. Now, in the post-Snyder era, Gunn claims to be bringing back “the human heart” of the character.

“People are looking for heroes,” he told reporters. “They’re looking for goodness, for decency.”

We agree. But here’s the thing, James: people are also looking for entertainment, not propaganda.

So the real test begins July 11, when Superman hits theaters across North America and 78 global markets. Will this be the rebirth DC needs — or another lecture in disguise?

Because no matter how powerful your studio position, no matter how iconic your superhero, the audience is the real hero here — and they’ve had enough of politics in their popcorn.

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