Los Angeles [US], April 26: James Gunn's much-awaited film Superman: Legacy will finally arrive in cinemas worldwide this summer, following a crucial courtroom victory for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) and DC Comics.
The triumph came after Mark Warren Peary, the executor of Superman co-creator Joe Shuster’s estate, challenged the studio’s right to release the film internationally, according to Deadline.
Peary had filed a federal lawsuit earlier this year, aiming to block the film’s release in countries like Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia, claiming WBD and DC Comics were unlawfully exploiting Superman’s character without proper authorization from Shuster’s estate.
However, US District Judge Jesse Furman dismissed the suit, ruling that the American court lacked jurisdiction to address copyright claims tied to foreign countries. In a 13-page opinion, Judge Furman wrote, “The Court concludes that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction over this case; the case therefore must be and is dismissed.” As a result, he did not examine the alternative request to transfer the case elsewhere.
Legal experts noted that although the lawsuit was dismissed on technical grounds, Peary could potentially pursue a similar claim at the state level. Peary has previously engaged in multiple legal battles over Superman's ownership.
Warner Bros Discovery, represented by attorneys Daniel Petrocelli and O’Melveny & Myers, hailed the decision, reiterating that DC Comics holds all legal rights to Superman. “We are pleased with the court’s decision to dismiss this baseless lawsuit. As we have consistently maintained, DC controls all rights to Superman,” the studio said in a statement to Deadline.
Attorney Marc Toberoff, representing the Shuster estate, has not yet commented publicly on the verdict. Toberoff is well-known for his long-running disputes with Warner Bros over Superman’s copyright.
The dispute centers on a historical grievance: in 1938, Siegel and Shuster sold the global rights to Superman for a mere USD 130, a deal now viewed as a cautionary tale in entertainment law.
Peary’s lawsuit argued that in nations following British legal traditions — including Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia — the original copyright assignments automatically terminated 25 years after Shuster’s death in 1992. Thus, according to the suit, the Shuster estate should have regained the rights in these countries by 2017 (or 2021 in Canada).
Despite the controversy, Superman: Legacy is moving ahead, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as the villain Lex Luthor. Maria Gabriela de Faria will also feature as The Engineer.
The film, directed by James Gunn, will be a cornerstone of the newly reimagined DC Universe and is scheduled for global release on July 11, 2025.
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