DC Studios co-CEO reveals how getting fired from Marvel transformed his approach to filmmaking
James Gunn is betting big on nostalgia and heart with his upcoming “Superman” film, due July 11th. In a revealing new Rolling Stone interview, the 58-year-old filmmaker opened up about his transformation from a provocateur seeking approval to a director embracing pure storytelling.
From Guardians to the Man of Steel
The journey from “Guardians of the Galaxy” to “Superman” wasn’t just a career move—it was a spiritual awakening. Gunn credits his temporary firing from Marvel over old tweets as a pivotal moment that taught him to stop creating for validation.
“I had to stop creating so that people would like me,” Gunn explains. “Everything I had done came from a pleasing place… which came from that kid in a dysfunctional family trying to make everybody happy by dancing around.”
This revelation allowed him to approach Superman’s inherent goodness without his usual defensive comedy. “In the past I would’ve done it through making fun of the character, and I don’t think that’s what I do here,” he says.
Silver Age Spectacle Meets Modern Storytelling
Gunn’s “Superman” promises to bring elements never before seen in live-action films—flying robots, retro-futuristic technology, and yes, Krypto the Super-Dog. The director draws heavily from Grant Morrison’s “All-Star Superman” comics, embracing a tone that’s simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking.
“A flying dog who wears a cape is odd,” Gunn admits, but explains that Krypto was his key to unlocking the entire film. The opening scene of Krypto rescuing Superman in the snow became the emotional foundation for everything that followed.
Quality Over Quantity: DC’s New Philosophy
Unlike Marvel’s recent struggles with oversaturation, Gunn emphasizes DC’s commitment to quality storytelling. His number one rule? No project moves forward without a finished screenplay.
“The number-one reason [the movie industry] is dying is because people are making movies without a finished screenplay,” Gunn states. “We just killed a project. Everybody wanted to make the movie… The screenplay wasn’t ready.”
Batman and Wonder Woman Challenges
While “Superman” leads DC’s new universe, Gunn faces bigger challenges with Batman and Wonder Woman. He describes Batman as his “biggest issue” in DC right now, struggling to differentiate his version from both Matt Reeves’ darker take and campier interpretations.
“Batman has to have a reason for existing,” he explains. “Every single Batman story has been told… How do you create that property that’s fun to watch?”
Embracing the Controversy
Despite online criticism from fans of Zack Snyder’s DC films, Gunn remains philosophical about the backlash. “You don’t wanna have everybody root for you,” he says, viewing opposition as a healthy sign rather than a problem to solve.
The director’s vulnerability about his own insecurities—comparing Lex Luthor to artists threatened by AI—suggests a “Superman” film that will tackle contemporary anxieties through the lens of timeless heroism.
With “Superman” set to launch DC’s new cinematic universe, Gunn seems less concerned with box office dominance than with telling stories that matter. “I’d be very happy with a double,” he says, rejecting the pressure to hit a home run. “We are doing something that’s a piece of the puzzle. It’s not the puzzle itself.”
“Superman” flies into theaters July 11, 2025.
