Fans of the 2019 superhero horror film Brightburn had been hopeful that a sequel could continue the story of the young supervillain Brandon Breyer. However, those dreams have now been extinguished, as producer James Gunn has revealed the tangled web of rights issues has made a follow-up highly unlikely.
In a recent post on Threads, Gunn bluntly stated: “I mean we talked about it early on. But the rights are all f***ed up (I only own half) so it’s unlikely that it will ever happen.”
Brightburn, which Gunn produced, offered a chilling twist on the classic Superman origin story, following a young boy with extraordinary powers who uses them for malevolent purposes rather than heroic ones. The film’s ending hinted at the potential for a larger cinematic universe, with the reveal of other twisted, superpowered individuals terrorizing the world.
Unfortunately, Gunn’s revelation that he only owns half the rights to the Brightburn franchise has effectively crushed any hopes of that vision being fully realized. The producer’s candid admission that the rights are “all f***ed up” paints a bleak picture, suggesting the legal and financial obstacles are simply too great to overcome.
This news is undoubtedly disappointing for fans who had eagerly anticipated the prospect of a Brightburn sequel. The original film’s unique take on the superhero genre, blending horror and science fiction, resonated with audiences and left many craving more.
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However, Gunn’s busy schedule as the newly appointed co-CEO of DC Studios, overseeing the development of the upcoming DC Universe slate, likely means the Brightburn franchise has taken a backseat. With the director’s focus now firmly on shaping the future of DC’s cinematic offerings, the chances of a Brightburn revival appear increasingly slim.
While the Brightburn sequel may never see the light of day, Gunn’s involvement in the DC Universe means fans can still look forward to his creative touch on a variety of upcoming superhero-related projects. Though the hopes for an expansion of the Brightburn universe have been dashed, the director’s influence on the broader superhero landscape remains a source of excitement for many.
