James Gunn is feeling “incredibly grateful” for the initial box office success of Superman and the positive reception from audiences. The filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios took to Threads on Sunday to express his appreciation after the superhero blockbuster saw an estimated global debut of $217 million .

Superman director James Gunn has reacted to the success of the new DCU movie after a massive opening weekend at the box office. The film has also garnered largely positive reviews from critics. The cast features David Corenswet in the titular role, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and more.

Director Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie, which premiered in 1978, is a classic piece of cinema that continues to shape the superhero genre today. Most recently, it led the way for writer-director James Gunn to release Superman, a more modern imagining of the Man of Steel’s adventures, with David Corenswet portraying the titular hero.