Superhero films make a comeback this summer, featuring fan favorites such as Superman and the Fantastic Four.
Summer's about to heat up in Tinseltown, with Superman taking center stage and Marvel ready to shake things up. It's been a bumpy ride for Hollywood, what with the pandemic and the strikes, but this summer's looking like a comeback. The mighty Marvel Studios is diving back in with "Thunderbolts" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."
This blockbuster season will be the litmus test for comic book adaptations, as they struggle to prove their worth after several years of depleted offerings. "Barbenheimer" may have grabbed the headlines last summer, but it's a safe bet that the real stars of the show will be "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Spider-Man."
Summer movies kick off in early May, and after a lackluster start last year, studios are praying for a Marvel save to turn things around. With "Thunderbolts", they've got a fighting chance — the film brings together Superman's misfit crew, including Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Bucky Barnes. Director Jake Schreier promises a wild ride: "It's trying to be a movie about something and the moment we're in – not in a political sense, but where everybody's at and what everyone's been going through."
Poised for battle at the box office, studios have a host of exciting offerings lined up, from Jurassic World to live-action How to Train Your Dragon and the highly-anticipated Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. If things play out as planned, summer 2025 could be the biggest in the post-pandemic era.
With only one summer since 2007 falling short of the $4 billion mark, it's clear that moviegoers are still hungry for superhero action, as long as it's good. James Gunn, the mastermind behind Guardians of the Galaxy, knows the drill: "My job is to make something good, entertaining, and 'worthy' of the audience." He faces an enormous challenge, though, as he takes on Superman and oversees the unified DC universe, which starts its run with "Superman" on July 11.
Gunn, a seasoned veteran of the superhero genre, is promising an "entirely new" Superman journey. He's keeping tight-lipped on details, but fans are eagerly awaiting the fresh take. With a new actor – David Corenswet – stepping up as Superman/Clark Kent, and the fearsome Lex Luthor played by Nicholas Hoult, it's shaping up to be a clash of titans. According to Gunn, "[Lex Luthor's] pretty scary."
It's not just Superman's world — Fantastic Four is also making a splashy re-entry this summer. The gang's all here, assembled under Marvel’s umbrella and led by director Matt Shakman. Shakman's excited about the characters, and he's aiming to do them justice: "It comes down to character, it comes down to relationships, it comes down to heart and humor." Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s New York, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" promises to be a wild ride from the get-go.
Stay tuned for a summer filled with action, adventure, and a whole lot of blockbuster popcorn fare. After the challenges of the past few years, it's high time we all sat back and enjoyed the show. Here's to a super summer!
(Enrichment Data: The summer 2025 movie season is poised for fierce competition between superhero films, family franchises, and horror wildcards. Superhero films, such as "Thunderbolts" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps", are positioning themselves as essential releases, battling for audiences amidst a crowded field. Other exciting offerings include "Jurassic World Rebirth", live-action "How to Train Your Dragon", and "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning". Industry predictions reflect a cautious optimism, with some doubt lingering over superhero fatigue.)
- The upcoming summer in Tinseltown promises a comeback for Hollywood, with superhero movies serving as the litmus test for comic book adaptations after several years of depleted offerings.
- The peculiar Marvel Studios is diving back in with "Thunderbolts" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," with "Superman" taking center stage.
- Studios are hoping for a Marvel save to turn things around, as they prepare for summer 2025, which could be the biggest in the post-pandemic era.
- James Gunn, the mastermind behind Guardians of the Galaxy, is taking on the challenge of overseeing the DC universe, starting with "Superman" on July 11.
- The summer season will witness a fierce competition between superhero films, family franchises, and horror wildcards, with "Thunderbolts" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" positioning themselves as essential releases.
- The tech world is also playing a significant role in the summer's entertainment, as the resurgence of AIs and AI-driven technology are impacting jobs and businesses across the world.
- Some superhero franchises are facing tariffs as part of world trade negotiations, which could impact their summer box office performance.
- As the summer heat rises, moviegoers worldwide are hoping for a super summer filled with action, adventure, and blockbuster popcorn fare to erase the memory of the challenging past few years.
