As the Trump administration proposes a 100% tariff on films produced outside of the United States, industry analysts are warning of a potential economic blow to global film production. DC Studios, under the leadership of co-CEO James Gunn, is one of the major players that could be affected.
The president’s plan aims to “bring Hollywood home.” This push comes amid broader tariffs on foreign goods. There are also growing trade tensions with U.S. allies. Trump has criticized studios for outsourcing major productions to other countries. He suggested that the new tax would help protect American jobs and creativity.
‘Superman’ remains safe for now
Gunn’s upcoming “Superman,” the film launching the new DC Universe (DCU), appears to be shielded from the policy’s immediate effects. It is currently being shot at Trilith Studios in Georgia, making it a domestic production that would not be subject to the proposed tariffs.
Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, the film is set for release on July 11, 2025, just months after the proposed tariffs could take effect. However, international box office performance might still be impacted, as China and other countries consider retaliatory restrictions on U.S. entertainment.
Trouble for ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’
More vulnerable is “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” the cosmic follow-up planned for 2026. Directed by “Cruella’s” Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the film is being shot at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, just outside London.
Because it’s a U.K.-based production, the film could be subject to the full weight of Trump’s proposed 100% import tariff on foreign-made media. That would significantly increase the cost of distribution within the U.S. and potentially delay or relocate future projects in the new DCU slate.
Studios may need to reconfigure budgets, reshoot scenes stateside, or reconsider global partnerships.
“Tariffs of this scale are rare, especially in entertainment, and they could lead to major changes in how blockbusters are produced,” said a policy analyst at the Brookings Institution.
Industry on edge
Entertainment executives have expressed concern that the tariffs could limit creative freedom, isolate U.S. audiences from global cinema, and damage international goodwill. “Hollywood doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” one producer told Variety. “This policy is a political gesture with massive cultural consequences.”
There’s also fear that the proposed tariffs could escalate into a broader trade war with countries that have long been integral to U.S. film production, including Canada, the U.K., Australia, and parts of Europe.
What’s next for the DCU?
DC Studios has not publicly commented on the tariff proposal, but insiders say contingency planning is underway. With projects like “The Authority,” “Swamp Thing,” and “Lanterns” still in development, production locations and financing models may shift in response to the political climate.
