By: Dr. Michael Robinson | Communications Studies Professor
The clickbait headlines exclaim that James Gunn is out. . . or more emphatically, OUT at DC.
That’s not true. Formally, Gunn is still connected to a number of upcoming DC superhero projects. Basically, this announcement means that he no longer has to fill the role as overseer of the DC cinematic universe (whatever that is anymore). He is still IN, not OUT. In essence, Gunn is simply no longer the Kevin Feige of DC.
This was a role that Gunn did not seem to completely enjoy. He is a more “creative guy” than a “business guy in a suit.” Don’t get me wrong. The movie industry definitely needs both types of people. But I always felt like Gunn was more interested in playing with the toys in the DC toybox than figuring out how to pay for them.
When I initially heard the news, I thought that this is Gunn escaping. The announcement meant it was time to start wishing for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 4! A lot of his projects had a Guardians feel– especially the Suicide Squad movies, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos. And while I liked Supergirl a lot more than most people seemed to have, that movie also felt like a GOTG-style plot. Superman (2026), the biggest hit during Gunn’s tenure, seemed to stray the farthest from that feel, with Superman’s earnest heroism in contrast to the outsider/anti-heroes of the other properties.
But as I noted, Gunn is not OUT, he is still IN. Now I think Gunn has secured himself some flexibility or maneuverability. He gets to do more of what he wants and what he also just happens to be great at. That’s great news for the next Superman movie for sure.
Gunn also gets to avoid yet another restructuring of the DC cinematic universe. And I’ll say it again, “whatever that is.” Because while Marvel has been slowly building a (relatively) consistent whole universe, the DC brand equivalent keeps falling apart and getting remodeled. And I believe that process will intensify as Skydance, the new corporate entity that swallowed up Warner Brothers (and thus DC) and merged it in with Paramount (and other stuff). Skydance is loaded with acquired debt and it will want a quick turnaround from its Intellectual Properties. If anything, I suspect Skydance will be less patient and less willing to experiment.
DC is in for some hard times. Gunn can avoid being responsible for that headache.
