Warner Bros. Discovery is in early-stage talks with Universal Parks about licensing DC superheroes for new theme park attractions, according to a Bloomberg report published December 4, 2025. That means Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the DC roster could be headed to Universal Orlando, Hollywood, or other resorts around the world.
The talks don’t yet involve formal contract negotiations, and both Comcast and Warner Bros. declined to comment. But the fact that these conversations are happening at all is a massive deal for theme park fans—and could reshape Universal’s competitive landscape against Disney.
Why This Is Such a Big Deal
Right now, Warner Bros. exclusively licenses DC characters to Six Flags Entertainment Corp., where you’ll find Batman roller coasters and DC Universe areas across multiple parks. But Warner Bros. is now exploring the possibility of partnering with additional operators, which means those licensing rights wouldn’t necessarily remain exclusive.
For Universal, this would be a major win. The company already has a lucrative relationship with Warner Bros. through its Harry Potter-themed lands at resorts in the US and China. Adding DC’s roster of iconic superheroes would give Universal a direct answer to Disney’s Marvel presence—at least outside of Florida, where Universal still holds the theme park rights to Marvel characters east of the Mississippi River.
The Irony: Universal Almost Had DC Decades Ago
Here’s the wild part: Universal’s Islands of Adventure was originally designed with a DC superheroes land in mind. But when Warner Bros. wouldn’t play ball with the licensing rights back in the 1990s, Universal pivoted and signed a deal with Marvel instead—years before the MCU existed and long before Disney bought Marvel Entertainment.
That deal is why you can ride The Incredible Hulk Coaster and meet Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure today, even though Disney owns Marvel. And it’s why Disney can’t use those characters in its Florida parks.
Now, decades later, the tables could turn. If Warner Bros. and Universal reach a deal, we could see DC-themed attractions at the same resort that once wanted them—but couldn’t get them.
What Could This Mean for Universal Parks?
Universal has been on an expansion tear. Epic Universe just opened in Orlando with five themed lands, and the company has announced major projects for its other resorts. A DC licensing deal would give Universal access to some of the most recognizable superheroes in pop culture—characters with built-in fan bases that span generations.
Imagine a Gotham City land with a Batman dark ride. A Superman coaster that actually feels like flying. A Wonder Woman experience that rivals anything Disney has built. These aren’t just pipe dreams—they’re exactly the kind of big-budget, IP-driven attractions that modern theme parks are built around.
And for Warner Bros., the move makes sense too. The company has been exploring ways to expand DC’s presence beyond Six Flags, and partnering with an operator like Universal—one with deep pockets, proven creative chops, and a track record of turning IP into must-visit destinations—could be a smart play.
The Talks Are Early, But the Implications Are Huge
To be clear, nothing is set in stone. These talks are in the early stages, and there’s no guarantee they’ll lead to an actual deal. Six Flags still holds the current licensing agreement, and Warner Bros. will need to navigate that relationship carefully.
But even the fact that these conversations are happening signals a shift. Warner Bros. is thinking bigger about where and how it deploys its most valuable characters. Universal is clearly interested in adding more IP to its arsenal. And theme park fans are left wondering: could we really see Batman and Superman at Universal in the next few years?
The answer is maybe. But if it happens, it would be one of the biggest theme park licensing deals in recent memory—and a game-changer for Universal’s ability to compete with Disney’s ever-growing roster of characters and franchises.
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