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DC's Man of Steel is set to make his triumphant return to cinemas this year when James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman movie debuts. However, a lawsuit in the US over the ownership of the international copyright of Superman threatened to block the film’s release in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. Fortunately – at least for Warner Bros and DC – it appears that this won’t be a barrier to the movie as a federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit.

The lawsuit in question was filed back in January by Mark Warren Peary, who is responsible for the estate of Joe Shuster, one of the creators of Superman. The suit contends that Warner Bros, who owns the rights to Superman and all associated characters, doesn’t have the legal right to the character in territories that follow British copyright law. In those countries, ownership of the character would have reverted to the family back in 2017.

This lawsuit could have had huge implications for the Superman movie, which is set to kick off James Gunn’s new DCU in cinemas this summer. However, a federal judge has dismissed the case, denying Peary’s request for a preliminary injunction to block the movie’s release overseas as moot, citing a lack of jurisdiction over the case. This means that Superman will be able to fly into theaters this July as planned. While Peary can potentially refile or appeal the decision, it is unlikely to impact the impending release date at this point.

With that hurdle cleared, Superman is clear to leap into cinemas on July 11, 2025 as planned.

James Gunn's Superman movie is out now - and we have a lot to say about it. You can also read about Superman's S-Shield through the ages, how Superman and Clark Kent keep their secret identity secret, our recs for best Superman comics, and how to watch all his TV series and movies in order.