James Gunn’s DCU is set to kick off, and with the Superman teaser dropping, fans couldn’t help but notice the MCU name drop. But why do that?

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James Gunn’s leap to the DC Universe is turning heads after a lackluster few years for the franchise. Best known for his smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy saga in the MCU, Gunn is now kicking off his DCU journey with Superman.

A still from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3A still from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | Credits: Marvel Studios

The teaser for the movie even name-dropped the wildly popular Guardians series, sparking debate among fans. Some see it as a nod to Gunn’s work, while others call it a cheeky bit of Marvel-flavored bait to reel in a bigger crowd.

Some fans aren’t too thrilled about the MCU name drop

The teaser for Superman just dropped, and there are a lot of opinions floating around on the internet. While some fans are waiting for the trailer to form their full opinions, one thing people can’t stop talking about is the bold name-drop of a Marvel project in a DC production, right at the start of what’s supposed to be a new era.

Now, the DC vs. Marvel debate is age-old, and while Marvel has had a wild couple of years, DC… not so much. That is why, to sort of, for lack of a better word, replicate the success of what Marvel achieved in just under a decade, DC brought in James Gunn to sort of steer the ship into fresh waters and breathe new life into its universe.

James GunnJames Gunn speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International | Credits: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

While people were excited to see the DCU launch with Superman, the mention of Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which by the way is a massively successful saga thanks to James Gunn, in the first few seconds of the teaser caught many off guard.

After all, it’s a Marvel project, and some couldn’t help but see this as a slightly cheesy attempt to draw in Marvel fans. Here is what people are saying online.

While DC is undeniably compelling in its own right, it hasn’t fully lived up to its potential on the silver screen. Fans are now placing their hopes on Gunn to do justice to a franchise that millions hold dear.

First impressions and what to expect from James Gunn’s Superman

Bright colors, classic charm, and a whole lot of hope! Gunn’s take on Superman seems determined to bring back the optimistic hero everyone once knew and loved, a stark contrast to the darker, grittier version fans associated with Henry Cavill’s portrayal.

The teaser hints at a return to Superman’s roots, complete with a dramatic spin on the iconic theme song and, yes, an appearance by none other than Krypto!

David Corenswet suits up as Clark Kent/Superman, joined by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and many more. Written and directed by Gunn, this is no small project, it is a make-or-break moment for DCU’s fresh start.

A motion poster of David Corenswet's Superman | Credits: @superman/InstagramA motion poster of David Corenswet’s Superman | Credits: @superman/Instagram

From the start, this project has faced a lot of comparisons, David Corenswet stepping into Superman’s shoes, James Gunn’s ties to Marvel, and Guardians of the Galaxy setting high expectations. However, the audience should enter the theater with an open mind, and just enjoy the experience.

Of course, not everyone’s sold just yet. The VFX has drawn some criticism, and not everyone is on board with the brighter tone. But love it or nitpick it, this teaser has sparked curiosity. Can Gunn deliver the epic, heartfelt Superman story fans deserve? Only time will tell.

Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11th, 2025.