This week’s announcement that SUPERMAN was coming to PVOD beginning Friday, August 15th, produced a fresh wave of concern from exhibitors, many of whom are still playing the DCU title following its successful summer run that began on July 11th. The 35-day exclusivity for theatres was much shorter than a traditional 45-day window that executives at many theatre chains had called for.
SUPERMAN director James Gunn, who is also the co-CEO of DC Studios, explained his decision in an interview with Screen Rant, pointing to the upcoming season premiere of PEACEMAKER on August 21st. The streaming series is embedded in the new DC Universe and features many of the characters from SUPERMAN.
Gunn said that he wanted to make it possible for everyone interested to see SUPERMAN before PEACEMAKER debuts. Some fans expressed disappointment, in light of the film’s continued success at the summer box office, feeling that this was another example of a studio knocking the legs out from under a theatrical release prematurely. It will be worth monitoring how Gunn and DC plan out the theatrical window for future DCU movies.
