James Gunn’s struggling DC Universe may be facing its biggest twist yet, and it’s not one written into a script. Netflix has reportedly moved to acquire Warner Bros., putting the future of Gunn’s carefully planned slate of superhero projects in serious doubt. Gunn, who is still working on Man of Tomorrow, has been preparing a 2026 lineup that includes Lanterns, Supergirl, and Clayface. But if Netflix takes the reins, that vision could vanish faster than The Flash’s box office legs.
According to recent reports, Warner Bros. executives have already started internal discussions about how a Netflix buyout could reshape the DC brand. That news has raised eyebrows inside the entertainment industry, especially since James Gunn and Peter Safran were granted nearly full creative control over DC Studios just three years ago. They determine what projects move forward, who directs them, and who wears the cape. A Netflix takeover could change that instantly. Given the streaming giant’s obsession with content churn and algorithm-driven decision-making, the idea of it owning Batman and Superman feels more like a glitch than a plan.
Since 2022, Gunn and Safran have worked to clean up the chaos left behind by the old regime. They canceled Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3, kept Matt Reeves’ The Batman movies separate, and pushed new titles meant to tie together the DCU at last. While a filmmaker like Zach Cregger and his Gotham-based Henchman movie could fit the tone Gunn is building, the real question is whether Netflix executives will care about consistency or just chase whatever gets the most clicks.
Netflix’s track record with big franchises doesn’t inspire much faith. The company demands constant new “content” to feed subscriptions. That approach has buried plenty of promising shows after one or two seasons, no matter how devoted their fan bases were. Now imagine that short-term logic applied to the DC Universe, where creative patience actually matters. A streaming service that cuts The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance after one season might not have the stamina to nurture a story arc that takes a decade to complete.
Then there’s the matter of James Gunn himself. The filmmaker has already been through Hollywood’s political grinder, getting temporarily fired from Marvel after an online backlash stoked by old tweets. Gunn is not known for catering to corporate talking points. If Netflix’s top brass start steering the DCU toward safer, cheaper, or faster projects, he could walk away altogether. And without Gunn, the interconnected universe that was supposed to rival Marvel could break apart before it even properly starts.
For now, Gunn’s Superman sequel is still scheduled to open next year. But if Netflix can get past the FTC and actually close this deal, it may end up being both the beginning and the end of his era of creative control. In the streaming age, even superheroes can get canceled mid-season.
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