James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios and the mastermind behind the new DCU, has never been shy about discussing his plans for the DC Universe. Drawing from nearly a decade of experience at Marvel Studios working on the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ franchise, Gunn is bringing fresh ideas to DC.
However, his latest comments have sparked some debate. Moreover, a lot of fans are wondering if his vision truly breaks away from the Marvel formula or merely echoes it with a different spin.
James Gunn Claims DCU Doesn’t “Greenlight” Projects Until The Script Is Finished
When asked on Threads whether DC Studios would emulate Marvel’s grand slate announcements, James Gunn clarified, “It won’t be exactly like Marvel because nothing is greenlit before we have a finished script.” At first glance, this statement appears to contradict DC’s early ‘Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters’ reveal.
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This era featured 10 movies and TV shows, some of which are still in the early scripting stages. Fans were quick to question whether Gunn was contradicting his own approach. However, Gunn has repeatedly emphasized the difference between announcing projects and greenlighting them.
He pointed out that while Warner Bros. Discovery may have pushed for the slate reveal to generate excitement. However, DC Studios itself adheres to a stricter policy of ensuring projects are creatively sound before moving forward. Gunn’s remarks hint at a strategy to avoid rushed production and post-production issues that sometimes plague Marvel’s projects.
James Gunn Envisions A More Flexible And Accessible DCU
James Gunn also shared his broader vision for the DCU in an interview with Collider. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where continuity often demands audiences watch every project to keep up, Gunn clarified that he wants DC stories to feel more flexible and approachable.
“It is more of a connected universe that exists within one place…which will have differences depending on who the artists and the directors and the production designers are,” Gunn explained. He said he wants fans to be able to dive into individual stories without feeling obligated to consume every show or movie.
In case you missed it: James Gunn Says He Is Open To R-Rated Projects In The DC Universe
Gunn also confirmed plans for R-rated projects. “If a story is gonna be R-rated, we’re totally okay with that. If it’s gonna be PG, PG-13, G, I don’t care. Whatever is worthy of the story, that’s what we’re gonna do.”
When pressed on whether R-rated projects were already in development, Gunn laughed, “Well, I didn’t say there’s just one. There is more than one.”
