Latest news with #DavidZaslav
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Superman' Just Hit $400 Million: Is That Bad Or Good, In Context?
Superman As the latest numbers from over the weekend have come in, the DCU's Superman has just crossed $400 million at the global box office. It's a big number! It's not as big as some other superhero numbers! So it may be a bit difficult to parse if Superman is performing poorly, great or somewhere in between. Right now, things seem to be landing on 'good enough' to 'actually good,' if we're zooming out in the context of the industry. The highlights: With these current numbers, given how the trajectory its on, Superman is said to likely end its run with $650 to $700 million. James Gunn previously shot down reports that Superman 'needed' $700 million to be a success, and the true figure was much lower than that. It's not official, but break-even for a movie like this is probably around $400 million, which it has already hit. Hard-to-please WB CEO, David Zaslav, raved about the film and its performance after release: This weekend, we watched Superman soar as James Gunn's passion and vision came to life on the big screen. Superman is just the first step,' Zaslav said. 'Over the next year alone, DC Studios will introduce the films Supergirl and Clayface in theaters and the series Lanterns on HBO Max, all part of a bold 10-year plan. The DC vision is clear, the momentum is real, and I couldn't be more excited for what's ahead.' Superman Next, if we want to look at the context of the 'birth' of various superhero universes, we have: Albeit inflation does come into effect here. In the context of the current superhero movies that are being released, exclusively on the Marvel side, Superman will beat out the likes of recent bombs or underperformers like Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($475 million), Thunderbolts ($382 million) and The Marvels ($206 million, yeesh). That said, this is Superman we're talking about, so you'd hope it would. And Marvel still has some monsters in them like Deadpool and Wolverine ($1.3 billion). An interesting comparison point will be the imminent launch of a very important MCU movie, Fantastic Four, out this week. We are also simply out of the ultimate peak of superhero movies, which resulted in somewhat bizarre achievements like just-okay films like Aquaman and Captain Marvel grossing $1.1 billion each in 2018-2019. Where the market is now, I'd be surprised if either got half that if they were released today. So standards have changed at least to some extent. All this said, I think it's safe to say that Superman is a success given the state of the market and it being a brand-new introduction to a comic-based universe, as it can take time to pick up steam especially, after a mostly bad universe that just ended right before it. Now, we'll see how Supergirl does. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
James Gunn Didn't Want to Make ‘Superman.' What Changed His Mind?
'Today I have my wits about me,' James Gunn said. 'I was going to die yesterday, I was so tired.' It was two weeks before the release of 'Superman,' and I had met Gunn at the film's Los Angeles press junket, just one stop on the director's whirlwind, worldwide media tour. At the time, he was hopeful that the movie would connect with audiences, and it certainly has: 'Superman' opened last weekend with $125 million at the domestic box office and earned an A- CinemaScore from audiences. Still, that success barely affords Gunn the opportunity to sleep any easier. 'Because this is our first DC movie and I'm also the head of the studio,' he said, 'I haven't had a day off work for months.' Best known for directing Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movies, Gunn was initially lured to DC Studios in 2018, when Marvel fired the filmmaker over resurfaced tweets. Though he was eventually rehired to finish the 'Guardians' trilogy, his work on DC projects like 'The Suicide Squad' and 'Peacemaker' impressed the Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive David Zaslav, who tapped Gunn to run DC Studios alongside the producer Peter Safran. 'I've always had this desire to create a fictional universe,' said Gunn, 58. 'I got hints of that with 'Guardians' and the cosmic universe of Marvel, but since I took on DC I knew that I was just going to have to go crazy for the first few years.' That commitment meant juggling many major projects simultaneously: At one point, Gunn was filming both 'Superman' (with David Corenswet in the title role) and the second season of 'Peacemaker' (starring John Cena and Gunn's wife, Jennifer Holland) while also overseeing forthcoming DC projects like the film 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,' out next year from the director Craig Gillespie. 'I also had to resign myself to the fact that I can't do everything,' he said. 'I give notes on all these other projects, but I can't micromanage' them all, even though, he added, 'I always want to do more. That's been difficult, finding at least some boundaries.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Screen Geek
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
WB Reportedly Canceled DC Movie For Being "Too Woke"
David Zaslav has faced backlash for a number of his decisions while managing Warner Bros. Discovery. However, a reason for one of his previous decisions has been reportedly revealed, and now an all-new wave of backlash is starting. Specifically, it looks like he reportedly had Warner Bros. Discovery cancel a DC movie for being 'too woke.' It's no secret that the studio's direction for DC was all over the place at one time. The studio did not yet have James Gunn and Peter Safran to lead their superhero franchise with a cohesive plan, and after their DCEU movies started to flop, it became clear that things needed to change. For starters, the studio couldn't decide on what to do with Henry Cavill's Superman, and it wasn't until James Gunn was brought onboard that the character was reinvented for the new film starring David Corenswet. Prior to this, however, another plan was almost put into place until Zaslav had the concept scrapped. Now that the newest Superman movie has been released, it's been reported that one previously-floated idea, to make a movie with a Black Superman, was canceled because Zaslav didn't like the idea. While the character has been portrayed as a Black character in various comics, this would have been the first time for a feature film to do so. At such an uncertain time for the brand, however, it looks like Zaslav didn't want to risk doing something that different – or woke, if this report regarding the unmade DC project is accurate. This version of the character is said to have been the focus of a screenplay from writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. J.J. Abrams was also said to be producing the project as part of his deal between Bad Robot and Warner Bros., only one project from which has so far been released. As shared via The Wall Street Journal, however, the project was ultimately axed by David Zaslav. The CEO is said to have called this Black Superman idea 'too woke' to be made, and as a result, the potential film was completely scrapped. For those wondering about the plot, it was said to have revolved around the Black version of Kal-El growing up on Earth in the 1930s. Of course, during this period, America was festering with racism that would have certainly given Kal-El a very different view of life on Earth. A view that Zaslav allegedly didn't want to have on the big screen. The Wall Street Journal does go over different routes that Zaslav and Warner Bros. Discovery considered when trying to correct the issues with their live-action DCEU franchise. However, nothing apparently worked until James Gunn and Peter Safran came onboard. Now that their new movie Superman has so far been a hit, it seems like they made the right choice on that front, though many fans are no doubt upset hearing that a Black Superman movie was reportedly axed because Zaslav didn't want anything 'woke.' Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional DC news as we have it. For now, James Gunn's Superman which fully launches the DCU is currently playing in theaters.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Harry Potter HBO Series: Release window, filming, confirmed cast members, plot and how to watch
Harry Potter HBO series will be released in late 2026 or early 2027. Announced during Warner Bros. Discovery's April 2023 event, the show is now part of HBO's platform following a streaming service reshuffle. Filming begins in mid-2025, with a fresh cast leading the project. Harry Potter HBO Series How to Watch Originally set for Max, the Harry Potter series will now stream on HBO. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed the change during a streaming overhaul that also moved Welcome to Derry to HBO. CEO David Zaslav previously stated a 2026 release, but a late 2024 delay announcement has shifted the timeline to 2027. Harry Potter HBO Series Filming Filming will start in mid-summer 2025. The show is planned as a decade-long series with one season per book. Casey Bloys, HBO and Max Content Chairman, confirmed that the adaptation will stay true to the original book series. Each season will provide detailed storytelling, something not possible in the earlier films. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pelayaran yang belum terjual dengan harga terjangkau Pelayaran | Iklan Penelusuran Pelajari Undo Also Read: Rick and Morty Season 8: Episode 8 release date, time, episode schedule and where to watch in US, UK Harry Potter HBO Series Confirmed Cast Members Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter. Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley. These actors were selected from more than 30,000 auditions. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner confirmed the selections and praised the efforts of casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann. Live Events The first official image of McLaughlin as Harry was released in July 2025. John Lithgow was the first actor cast, playing Albus Dumbledore. In the original films, Richard Harris and Michael Gambon previously portrayed the role. The following roles and actors have been confirmed: Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrel Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander Original Cast and Future Appearances No original lead actors from the films will return. A press statement confirmed the show will feature a new cast to reflect a new generation of fans. There may be rare cameos from supporting actors, but none are confirmed. Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint are not expected to appear due to public disagreements with JK Rowling . Also Read: Love Island: Beyond the Villa: Release date, time, cast, trailer, episode schedule, how to watch in US, Canada, UK, Australia Harry Potter HBO Series Plot and Format The series will follow the story across seven seasons, aligning with the books. It aims to dive deeper into plot lines and character development than the films could. Long-form television allows more time for world-building and narrative expansion. JK Rowling's Role JK Rowling is involved as an executive producer. HBO supports her involvement and stated it benefits the production. She holds rights to the Wizarding World and is compensated for any content related to it. Harry Potter HBO Series Release Window The show will air exclusively on HBO in the United States in 2027. Details for international distribution have not been released yet. FAQs Will Daniel Radcliffe or Emma Watson return to the Harry Potter TV show ? No, the main cast from the films will not return. A new cast will lead the show. How many seasons will the Harry Potter series have? The show is expected to run for seven seasons, with each season covering one book.
Geek Tyrant
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
David Zaslav Says DC Has Finally Taken Flight After SUPERMAN's Box Office Win: 'The Vision Is Clear. The Momentum Is Real.' — GeekTyrant
After years of starts, stops, and superhero stumbles, the DC Universe may have finally found its footing, and David Zaslav is leading the victory lap. Following a $122 million domestic and $217 million global opening weekend for James Gunn's Superman , Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO isn't just celebrating the numbers, he's doubling down on a unified DC future. In Zaslav's view, this is the beginning of a new era. 'Three years ago, I hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to reimagine and unify the creative direction of DC under one leadership team, by breathing new life and excitement into one of the most iconic storytelling franchises in the world,' Zaslav said. 'James and Peter's commitment to honoring the legacy of the DC Universe while forging something new and enthralling is inspired.' The early success of Superman , starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, arrives on the heels of a string of DC misfires like The Flash , Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom , Shazam: Fury of the Gods , and Blue Beetle all struggled to make an impact. But with a fresh vision, a rebooted tone, and a clearer roadmap, Gunn's Superman has become a much-needed turning point. Zaslav recalled his initial meeting with Gunn, noting how personal these characters seemed to him. 'When he spoke about the DC characters, they were like his family.' That level of connection, he said, made it obvious Gunn was the right person to guide the cinematic reboot. Zaslav made it clear this was only the beginning, saying: 'This weekend, we watched Superman soar as James Gunn's passion and vision came to life on the big screen. Superman is just the first step. 'Over the next year alone, DC Studios will introduce the films Supergirl and Clayface in theaters and the series Lanterns on HBO Max, all part of a bold 10-year plan. The DC vision is clear, the momentum is real, and I couldn't be more excited for what's ahead.' That 10-year plan includes a full slate of interconnected films and series, with Supergirl and Clayface already in motion and a new Wonder Woman project reportedly in early development. The goal is creating a cohesive universe with consistent tone and purpose—a far cry from DC's scattered past. There's still some pressure though, as a $225 million budget means Superman needs strong legs to prove it's not just a frontloaded win, and with Disney's Thunderbolts recently flaming out after an impressive start, there's reason to be cautious. But right now? Zaslav along with the cast and crew of the film are enjoying the success.
