Warner Bros Discovery and DC Comics are celebrating a major win as a federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the estate of Superman’s creator, Joe Shuster. The lawsuit, which aimed to stop the release of James Gunn’s upcoming film in Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia, was rejected due to jurisdictional issues.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that the court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction over the case, dismissing it entirely. This means that Peary, the executor of Shuster’s estate, cannot claim damages or seek an injunction in federal court.
The ruling is significant because it means that Warner Bros Discovery can proceed with the release of the film without interruption. “We are pleased with the court’s decision to dismiss this baseless lawsuit,” said a spokesperson for WBD. “As we have consistently maintained, DC controls all rights to Superman.”
The dispute centers on copyright laws in various countries, including Canada and the UK, where it is claimed that Peary’s estate has not been properly compensated for the use of Shuster’s work. However, judge Furman’s ruling suggests that these claims are unfounded.
Warner Bros Discovery plans to release Gunn’s Superman film on July 11, which will star David Corenswet as the last son of Krypton. The move comes after a lengthy battle over Superman rights, with Peary having pursued similar claims in the past.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/04/superman-rights-lawsuit-dismissed-warner-bros-discovery-1236377132