James Gunn’s latestDC Universecomments have seemingly pointed towards the franchise’s first Batman and Superman movie being the polar opposite of the DCEU’s. AsChapter One of the DC Universegets underway, teases about the future of the brand’s biggest characters are already being found. Of course, July 2025 will see the release ofJames Gunn’sSupermanmovie, with Easter eggs fromCreature Commandosand a whole teaser trailer hinting at the future of Metropolis in the fledgling franchise.
Where Batman is concerned, the character had his first official DCU appearance inCreature Commandosepisode 6’s ending. Although vague in nature, Batman’s first appearance confirmed his DCU history with a character like Doctor Phosphorous and led James Gunn to comment about the future of the Caped Crusader. Not only doGunn’s DCU Batman commentsraise excitement about the character’s first official debut, but they may also have hinted that the franchise’s first crossover between the Son of Krypton and The Dark Knight could be a complete reversal of the DCEU’s.
James Gunn Has Already Hinted At A Batman & Superman Crossover Two Times
A Batman & Superman Crossover Is Surely More Like Than Not
Firstly, it is worth exploring the recent comments from Gunn - as well as those from some time ago - that hint a Batman and Superman crossover in the DCU may come sooner rather than later. After the BatmanEaster egg inCreature Commandosepisode 6, Gunn took to the internet to explore the first official appearance of Bruce Wayne in the franchise. Gunn appeared onRotten Tomatoes TVand was asked at length about the DCU’s Batman, from whether the cameo was intentionally vague to what the future looks like for The Dark Knight.
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Gunn remained expectedly coy about the character, stating that he did not commit to any design choices duringCreature Commandoson purpose. However, Gunn goes on to explain how much he loves the character of Batman and how he cannot wait for audiences to see him and Superman in the DCU’s future.Gunn then makes an interesting comment that he similarly cannot wait for fans to see Batman and Superman together, teasing that a team-up between the two is more than possible.
This comes a few months after another tease of this possibility by Gunn. In September 2024,Gunnposted an Instagram image of Batman, Superman, and Robin to celebrate Labor Day, which reads"Have the World’s Finest Labor Day!“When asked in the comments about what a Batman and Superman team-up movie would be called in the DCU, Gunn wasted no time in responding bluntly with “World’s Finest.” This began the chatter of such a movie happening in the DCU, with Gunn’s recent comments after Batman’s debut adding fuel to the rumor-based fire.
A DCU Batman & Superman Team-Up Looks Set To Be The Exact Opposite Of The DCEU’s FirstCrossover Story
The DCU Will Reverse What The DCEU Did With Batman & Superman
The possibility of a Batman and Superman team-up in the DCU naturally calls to mind the same situation in the DCEU from 2016.Interestingly though, Gunn’s previous teases prove that should a DCU crossover between the two icons happen, it will be very different fromBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. For one, the hint at a “World’s Finest” movie, taken from an iconic run of DC Comics in which Batman and Superman teamed up against all kinds of threats, proves that the DCU’s first crossover would not feature the characters fighting against one another.
A “World’s Finest” movie would be different fromBvSas it will likely capitalize on the DCU’s notion that superheroes already exist…
The DCEU’s first depiction of the relationship between Batman and Superman was one of antagonism, yet it seems the DCU will reverse this. Secondly, a “World’s Finest” movie would be different fromBvSas it will likely capitalize on the DCU’s notion that superheroes already exist. The DCEU stumbled at this hurdle by wasting unnecessary time setting up heroes like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash for aJustice Leaguemovie. Where the DCU is concerned, these heroes are likely to already exist, just like Batman, Superman, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and the Green Lanterns do, to name a few.
A “World’s Finest” Movie Would Emphasize Two Big Advantages Of The DCU
Beyond the benefit of having Batman and Superman be friends rather than enemies from the off, a “World’s Finest” movie would emphasize two other big benefits of the DCU as a franchise. The first is that this relationship between Superman and Batman will better convey the sense of hope and optimism that Gunn is crafting around both the DCU as a whole and the upcomingSupermanmovie. Rather than leaning into the dour nature of a fight between the heroes, the DCU’s advantageous optimism will be highlighted via upcoming movies depicting their alliance instead.
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The second advantage of the DCU that will be highlighted in a “World’s Finest” movie has already been somewhat alluded to: the interconnectivity of the franchise. This interconnectivity that the DCU promises to have is a direct result of James Gunn’s singular vision as the head of DC Studios. The DCEU suffered with multiple creatives and studio heads trying to enact their vision after Snyder departed from the franchise, meaning a core relationship of the universe - Batman and Superman - was barely focused on in 10 years. Via a “World’s Finest” movie in theDCU, the new franchise can rectify this.
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.
