James Gunn’s Superman Strives To Set Oscars History For First Time Since 1979

Superman may have finished its theatrical run, but the DC Universe installment is now getting ready for the award season. While the DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” slate has more films and TV shows on the way, DC Studios is looking to push James Gunn’s 2025 entry with David Corenswet in the awards season.

As the FYC circle is starting up, Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios are submitting several of their 2025 movies for the Oscars, including the Superman reboot. The summer blockbuster has been submitted for a total of 16 categories, including Best Picture. If nominated, Gunn’s movie would be the first time since 1979 that a film based on the DC icon has landed Academy Award nominations.

The additional categories that they have submitted the film for also include Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Gunn. Several members of the Superman cast have also been submitted for various acting categories, including Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult.

Christopher Reeve’s Superman was nominated for Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score), as well as Best Sound during the 51st Academy Awards. Outside the DC Studios product, Warner Bros is also submitting Mickey-17, Sinners, Weapons, One Battle After Another, and A Minecraft Movie for Oscar consideration.

The first DCU film installment emerged as the most successful superhero movie for 2025, grossing more than $615 million at the worldwide box office, thus officially beating all of Marvel Studios’ theatrical releases for the year. Following the Superman ending, Gunn is already planning the last son of Krypton’s next adventure.

The DC Studios co-CEO is set to write and direct the Man of Tomorrow movie, with Corenswet, Hoult, and Brosnahan set to reprise their roles as Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane, respectively. Hoult also appeared for a special cameo in Peacemaker season 2 during episode 6, more than two months after the first film’s release.

While the franchise is done for 2025, DC Studios will be expanding the DCU in 2026 with several movies and series. As a premiere date has yet to be set, the Lanterns TV show will be premiering on HBO, bringing John Stewart and Hal Jordan to life.

After having a cameo in her cousin’s 2025 film, Kara Zor-El will be taking the spotlight in her own Supergirl movie on June 26, 2026, starring Milly Alcock as the Girl of Steel. The DCU also has the R-rated Clayface film arriving on September 11, 2026, starring Tom Rhys Harries as the iconic Batman villain.

Superman will officially return to the big screen on July 9, 2027, in Man of Tomorrow, which begins principal photography next year.