Brightburn Director Teases DCU Reunion with James Gunn: Could This Mean a Radical Superman Redux?

David Yarovesky recently discussed his partnership with James Gunn on the Superman-esque horror film Brightburn and shared his thoughts on potentially joining forces with Gunn for a DC Universe (DCU) project. Yarovesky directed Brightburn in 2019, a film penned by James Gunn that explores a young boy with powers akin to Superman. However, unlike Superman, this boy, Brandon Breyer, uses his abilities to harm his adoptive family and wreak havoc in his hometown. The release of Brightburn came two years prior to Gunn’s first DCU venture, The Suicide Squad, and six years before his expected Superman film.

In a conversation with ScreenRant, Yarovesky reminisced about working with Gunn on Brightburn, which he describes as a rebellious, anti-establishment take on the Superman narrative. Yarovesky expressed admiration for Gunn and his eagerness to dive into the DC world, hinting at the possibility of future collaborations akin to Brightburn. Here’s what Yarovesky had to say:

“Do I want to be part of the DC world? Absolutely. If the right opportunity comes up, I’d jump at it. Working with James again would be fantastic; he’s been a mentor and a great support to me. It’s funny how we did Brightburn and now he’s working on Superman. It shows a shift in tone but if there’s ever talk of another Brightburn, count me in. I would love that, and being part of a DC project would be incredible.”

Interpretation of David Yarovesky’s DC Remarks

Yarovesky’s History with Gunn Positions Him Well for DCU Involvement

While James Gunn’s Superman is expected to be starkly different from Yarovesky’s Brightburn in terms of tone, genre, and integration into a larger universe, Brightburn itself was a successful endeavor that demonstrated the versatility of Superman’s story across different genres. Although a sequel to Brightburn may not be imminent, the potential for Yarovesky and Gunn to merge their horror expertise with a DCU project exists. The DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” phase is set to introduce horror-themed characters such as Clayface and Swamp Thing, providing perfect material for Gunn and Yarovesky’s dark creative touch.

Our Perspective on David Yarovesky’s DC Statements

Potential DC Characters for Yarovesky’s Horror-Inspired Vision

Brightburn showcased Yarovesky and Gunn’s ability to spin horror from superhero tales, proving their capability to handle DC characters in a similar vein. Following their exploration of a horror-themed Superman, they could potentially adapt other comic book characters within an official DC project. DC Comics is rich with horror-influenced characters and stories. Gunn has already ventured into this territory with Creature Commandos, featuring a team of monstrous figures.

Possible DC characters for a horror adaptation by Yarovesky and Gunn include Solomon Grundy, Raven, Scarecrow, Etrigan the Demon, and Man-Bat. Justice League Dark, previously stalled in development, could also be revived under Yarovesky’s direction. Alternatively, they might explore darker aspects of characters not traditionally linked to horror, such as Jason Todd, Metallo, the Spectre, or the Yellow Lanterns, in standalone projects.

Forthcoming DC Film Releases

• Superman

  Release Date

  July 11, 2025

• Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

  Release Date

  June 26, 2026