This summer, I had the opportunity to visit the set of James Gunn’s Superman as principal photography was wrapping up in Cleveland. Today, I’m thrilled to share insights from our conversation with the esteemed writer and director.
While the animated series Creature Commandos is currently streaming on Max and serves as the first canonical story in the new DC Universe, Superman is poised to be the effective launchpad of this reimagined franchise under the direction of Gunn and his producing partner Peter Safran, who co-lead DC Studios within Warner Bros. Discovery. The stakes are high for Superman to effectively set the groundwork for the franchise’s future.
The pressing question arises: must Superman act as a springboard for upcoming projects? According to Gunn, the answer is a resounding no. Despite the announcement of over a dozen projects since taking on their roles, he is not focused on leveraging Superman as merely a connective tissue for future narratives.
During our group conversation on set, I asked James Gunn if there was a significant focus on developing story arcs or moments that hint at future projects.
James Gunn: Zero. Zero. I mean, maybe two little things, two moments, but basically, if something’s there just to set up something else, fuck it. I even say that. And for all I know, those things can be cut by the time we get to the editing room because something has to exist for this movie. And if that works in tandem with setting up characters that exist in other media, then that’s great. If this sets up stuff in “Peacemaker,” which it does, then that’s great. But that is never, ever, ever, with me, going to be something that’s, I’m going to sacrifice even a moment or a beat in a story for, especially a movie. With TV, you’ve got a little bit more leniency to be able to do that. But in a movie, every beat has to be in there for the movie itself.
Does this exclusivity apply to video games as well? Will they also be standalone narratives?
James Gunn: Everything needs to stand by itself. I don’t want somebody to have to go see this movie and be relying on anything else. Now listen, once we get down the line, that may change a little bit. In [Guardians of the Galaxy], what did you have to see in Guardians 3 to really understand it? You’d be better off seeing the first two Guardians, but even Infinity War, I explained it in an elevator, the whole plot. It’s like trying to keep things as simple as possible so you don’t have to have homework, especially TV shows that some people aren’t into.
The Implications of James Gunn’s Comments on Superman and DC Universe
As DC Studios embarks on this new chapter, the emphasis on narrative quality and individuality will supersede concerns about overall canon cohesion. Gunn’s approach indicates that he is not overly attached to forced connections or superficial hints at future developments. Given the transition period for DC Studios, which still features films borne out of the previous era (such as The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom), this transitional strategy makes sense.
Some elements from Gunn’s past projects, including The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, will inform character arcs and storylines, while other aspects are being phased out. For instance, Justice League cameos in Peacemaker season one have been notably excluded.
It’s expected that characters will traverse between projects, with ongoing threads connecting various stories within the new DC Universe. As they roll out Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, the aim is to greenlight only those projects that have robust scripts and to ensure that releases meet a high standard of completeness, allowing each to stand independently. As articulated in discussions with Gunn and Safran when we explored their vision for DC in January 2023, this may lead to iterative developments and adjustments over time.
Our Perspective on James Gunn’s Approach to Superman and the DC Universe
James Gunn’s long-standing admiration for comic book characters informs his creative decisions. His deep understanding of narrative dynamics stems from years of experience with Marvel Studios, which he successfully parlayed into his work on character-driven stories at DC, including The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker.
The challenges faced by Marvel in balancing an expansive, interconnected cinematic universe, coupled with the recent criticisms of its character-centric Disney+ shows, serve as learning lessons. The notion of needing to “catch up”on numerous stories to understand the latest releases has created a fatigue among viewers.
From Gunn’s perspective, every story must stand on its own merit as they explore diverse genres tailored to various audiences. This approach is reflected in his assurance that while characters from Creature Commandos may appear in Superman and Peacemaker season 2, audiences won’t be required to consume every piece of media to appreciate the narratives. Likewise, Superman will not be essential viewing for understanding future projects, such as the upcoming Supergirl, set for theatrical release.
Mark your calendars: Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.
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