You’ve seen the hashtags. You’ve probably scrolled past the Twitter wars where fans treat two film directors like rival quarterbacks in a Super Bowl that never ends. Honestly, the whole Zack Snyder and James Gunn "feud" is one of those weird internet artifacts where the myth has basically outgrown the reality.
People love a good hero-vs-villain narrative.
But if you actually look at the numbers, the quotes, and the moves being made in 2026, the story isn't about two guys who hate each other. It’s about a massive corporate machine—Warner Bros. Discovery—trying to figure out how to sell capes and tights in an era where "superhero fatigue" isn't just a buzzword; it’s a financial reality.
The Superman Sized Elephant in the Room
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the box office. James Gunn’s Superman (2025) wrapped up its theatrical run with a worldwide total of $617 million. Now, if you listen to the hardcore Snyder fans, they’ll tell you it’s a flop because it didn’t beat Man of Steel's $668 million from back in 2013.
They aren't technically wrong about the numbers.
Zack Snyder’s debut had a bigger raw total. But the context is everything. In 2013, the world was starving for a new Superman. In 2025? Gunn was fighting uphill against a decade of "DC is messy" headlines and a general audience that’s becoming increasingly picky.
Critics actually liked Gunn’s version more. It sits with a generally "fresh" reputation for being earnest and colorful, which is a wild pivot from the operatic, "Gods-among-men" vibe Snyder brought to the table. Snyder basically built a cathedral—dark, heavy, and impressive. Gunn is trying to build a sandbox.
Why the Transition Felt So Messy
Transitioning from the "Snyderverse" to Gunn's "DCU" wasn't a clean break. It was more like a messy divorce where everyone still lives in the same house for six months. Remember the Henry Cavill situation?
- Cavill announces he’s back as Superman in late 2022.
- Gunn and Peter Safran take over DC Studios.
- Cavill is suddenly out because they want a younger Clark Kent.
That single sequence of events created a rift that still hasn't healed. Even recently, in late 2025, Snyder "liked" a social media post comparing his box office wins to Gunn’s. Is it petty? Maybe a little. Is it human? Totally.
But here’s the thing: Snyder and Gunn are actually friends. Or at least, they’ve been friendly for years. They worked together on Dawn of the Dead (2004)—Snyder directed, Gunn wrote. Snyder even called Gunn to wish him luck when he got the DC job. The "war" is mostly happening in the comments sections, not in their private texts.
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What’s Actually Happening with Zack Snyder Now?
Snyder has moved on. Sorta.
He’s spent the last few years building his own "Rebel Moon" universe over at Netflix. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. While he’s got outlines for Rebel Moon 3, 4, 5, and even 6, Netflix hasn’t exactly rushed to greenlight them. Instead, Zack is pivoting to smaller, grittier stuff.
He’s currently deep in development on a LAPD SWAT movie and a UFC-centric drama titled Brawler. It feels like he’s taking a breather from the "six-hour director's cut" lifestyle to do something more grounded.
"I'm gonna just sort of let that 'Rebel Moon' world boil for a minute," Snyder recently told Variety.
It’s a smart move. After the intensity of the DC years and the massive scale of his sci-fi epics, going back to his roots might be exactly what his career needs.
The 2026 Slate: Can Gunn Actually Pull This Off?
While Snyder explores the world of professional fighting, James Gunn is neck-deep in "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters."
The 2026 schedule for DC is actually pretty bold. We aren't just getting more Superman. We're getting:
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 2026) – starring Milly Alcock.
- Clayface (September 2026) – which is being described as an R-rated body horror movie.
This is where the two directors really differ. Snyder wanted a singular, cohesive aesthetic. Everything looked like a painting by a moody Renaissance master. Gunn wants every movie to feel like its own genre. He wants a horror movie, a space opera, and a political thriller all existing in the same world.
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It’s a huge gamble. If Supergirl doesn't hit, the "unified universe" dream might start to look like the same old Warner Bros. cycle of reboots.
The Return of the Snyderverse?
There is a wild rumor that refuses to die. You’ve probably seen the "Netflix-WBD acquisition" theories or the idea that Snyder is coming back to finish his Justice League sequels.
Let’s be real: as of 2026, there is zero official evidence this is happening.
Yes, Snyder posted a photo with DC’s Jim Lee recently. Yes, he still talks about his "Dark Knight Returns" dream project. But Warner Bros. Discovery is currently all-in on Gunn. They can’t afford to run two competing versions of the Justice League at the same time. It would be a marketing nightmare and would confuse the "general" audience—the people who don't spend their weekends arguing about aspect ratios on Reddit.
The Verdict on the Creative Clash
At the end of the day, Zack Snyder and James Gunn represent two different ways of looking at myths.
Snyder sees them as modern deities. His characters are burdened by their power, moving through a world of shadows and hard choices. It’s deconstructive. It’s "What if Superman was real and we were all terrified of him?"
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Gunn sees them as comic book characters. He embraces the weirdness—the talking raccoons, the peeing dogs, the bright spandex. He wants the "fun" back.
Neither one is "correct," but they are fundamentally incompatible. You can't have a movie where a guy gets his head smashed in with a crate in the same universe where a superhero's dog is the comic relief. The tonal whiplash would give the audience a permanent neck injury.
How to Navigate the DC Fandom in 2026
If you're tired of the constant bickering, here is the reality you should probably just accept.
Watch what you actually enjoy. You don't have to pick a side. It’s okay to love the gritty, slow-motion intensity of Zack Snyder's Justice League and also think Peacemaker is hilarious.
Follow the creators, not just the brands. If you like Snyder’s eye for visuals, keep an eye on his upcoming SWAT project. If you like Gunn’s snappy dialogue, Supergirl is your next big milestone.
Ignore the "leak" culture. Most of the drama is manufactured for clicks. If a "scoop" says James Gunn is being fired tomorrow, check the trades. If it’s not in Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, it’s probably just noise.
The best way to support your favorite director isn't by review-bombing the "other" guy; it's by actually showing up to the theater (or hitting play on Netflix) when their work drops. Money talks way louder than a hashtag ever will.