The DC Universe is finally in its early stages under James Gunn’s creative direction, and fans are beginning to see a clear difference between his approach and Marvel Studios’ long-standing strategy. While the MCU has been running strong since 2008, its recent years have been weighed down by challenges.
And one of the main challenges faced by the franchise is recasting characters. From the loss of iconic stars to the sudden need to replace controversial actors, Marvel has faced storm after storm, most notably Jonathan Majors’ removal as Kang the Conqueror, which disrupted the entire Multiverse Saga. Gunn, however, has made it clear that his DC Universe will not fall into the same trap.
James Gunn’s Straightforward Philosophy On Recasting Actors
Gunn is known for his transparency with fans. Whether on Twitter, Threads, or through podcasts, he frequently addresses questions that others in his position might prefer to dodge. Recently, one fan asked him directly on Threads: “If an actor, for some reason, can no longer play a character within the DCU, is there a possibility of changing the actor or will the character be discarded?”
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Gunn’s reply was short but telling: “If an actor can’t continue a role, I’ll change the actor no problem.” In other words, the DCU won’t let one actor’s absence derail years of storytelling. If Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, or any other pivotal character needs to be recast, Gunn will move forward decisively rather than shelving the hero. This stands in contrast to Marvel’s approach. For example, with Kang, Marvel leaned heavily on Jonathan Majors by making him the face of an entire arc.
So, when Majors was dropped, the MCU suddenly found itself in narrative chaos, unsure of how to pivot. Gunn’s DCU, by comparison, is setting itself up with far less dependency on any single actor. Of course, Gunn also understands nuance. In cases like the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, who was deeply beloved as Black Panther, a straightforward recast may not be appropriate. Gunn hinted that legacy roles might be treated differently, with mantles being passed on rather than replaced outright.
James Gunn Teases ‘The Batman Part II’ As DCU’s Next Project After ‘Superman’
While Gunn has been busy putting out fires of speculation, he’s also been dropping exciting crumbs about the DCU’s cinematic future. In a recent interview on the I Think You’re Overthinking It podcast, Gunn gave fans a peek behind the curtain when asked about what comes next after ‘Superman’. “Well, hopefully we’re making The Batman Part II before that,” Gunn revealed.
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That statement alone electrified fans. Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’, starring Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz, won praise for its gritty detective-noir style, earning its own pocket of loyal followers. While Gunn’s DCU and Reeves’ “Elseworlds” Batman timeline are technically separate, the excitement surrounding Pattinson’s return has been undeniable. Hearing Gunn talk about ‘The Batman Part II’ as a priority reassures audiences that this acclaimed vision won’t be abandoned.
However, that wasn’t all. Gunn also mentioned several projects in motion under Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. “We got The Brave and the Bold still going well, and Wonder Woman and Paradise Lost, and Booster Gold,” Gunn said. He emphasized that no film will move forward without a script that truly satisfies him. For fans burned by the rushed and uneven rollout of past DC films, this is music to their ears.
