Warner Bros faces lawsuit over Superman rights ahead of film’s release

WEB DESK: Warner Bros is being sued by the estate of Joseph Shuster, one of the co-creators of Superman, over alleged unpaid royalties for the iconic character’s use outside the United States.

The lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court just months before the highly anticipated release of Superman, a new adaptation directed by Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker James Gunn. The film is expected to relaunch DC’s biggest franchise as part of a broader effort to compete with Marvel’s cinematic universe. Gunn took over as co-CEO of DC Studios, a Warner Bros subsidiary, in 2022 alongside producer Peter Safran.

Superman was created in 1938 by illustrator Shuster and writer Jerome Siegel. According to the lawsuit, the creators originally licensed the character to Detective Comics (later DC Comics). The estate argues that under British law, Shuster’s rights reverted to his heirs in 2017, 25 years after his death.

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The legal action claims Warner Bros failed to pay proper royalties for Superman’s use in international markets such as Britain, Canada, and Australia. The estate is seeking financial compensation and a court order preventing further use of the character without proper licensing.

Warner Bros responded through a spokesperson, stating, “We fundamentally disagree with the merits of the lawsuit and will vigorously defend our rights.”

Marc Toberoff, the attorney representing Shuster’s estate, clarified that the lawsuit is not meant to block the film’s release but aims to secure rightful compensation for Shuster’s contributions to Superman’s creation.

The upcoming Superman movie, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, is set to hit theatres in July. It remains unclear whether the lawsuit will impact the film’s international release.

This is not the first legal battle over Superman’s rights. Shuster, Siegel, and their estates have challenged Warner Bros multiple times over the years. In 2013, a US court ruled that the character’s rights would remain with the company under American law.

The first trailer for Superman was released in December and received an enthusiastic response from fans. With Gunn’s success in past comic book adaptations, the return of the Man of Steel, and the official launch of the DC Universe, the film is one of the most anticipated releases of the year.