Late last year, we learned that a sequel to James Gunn’s insane Superman-esque horror Brightburn was in the works, and that it would incorporate AI technology somehow into the production. But things have gotten messy since then, and now we know why. Gunn has stated that a sequel to Brightburn is unlikely, not because of some creative reason, but because of boring ol’ rights issues.
Gunn said on Threads: “We talked about it early on. But the rights are all f*cked up (I only own half) so it’s unlikely that it will ever happen.”
Okay, so that only clears things up partially. The question that’s open is who owns the other half of the rights? My guess? The H Collective, who were producers on Brightburn along with Gunn. But if that’s true, what changed in their working relationship that they can’t do so again? And does any of it have to do with Gunn’s new job heading up DC Studios and making a straight-forward Superman movie?
Whatever the case, this is unfortunate news. Not that Brightburn was especially great or anything, but it was at least a different kind of superhero movie and the genre definitely needs more fresh takes.
