James Gunn revealed his guiding philosophy for the new DCU, which does not follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He, best known for directing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, was chosen in 2022 to lead the DCU creatively alongside Peter Safran.
The first project under his leadership, Superman, debuted this summer. It achieved both critical and commercial success. Peacemaker Season 2 will arrive on HBO Max on August 21. It continues John Cena’s story and further solidifies the DCU’s new continuity.
James Gunn Explains His DCU Inspiration
In a conversation with Rainn Wilson for Interview Magazine, Gunn explained his storytelling model. It is more closely tied to Star Wars and Game of Thrones than to Marvel’s timeline-heavy approach.
Gunn stated:
“You talk about George R.R. Martin, and he is really one of the guys who I love and look up to. I’m an enormous fan of his, and people say, ‘Oh, the DCU is doing what MCU is.’ But I think it really is a lot more to me what the Game of Thrones world is like or what Star Wars is like, because we’re building a universe and then picking out little pieces of it and telling individual stories from that universe.”
Star Wars has generated approximately $46.7 billion in revenue from films, TV, games, and merchandise since 1977. Gunn’s intentions for the DCU are clear. He aims to build a mythos-driven world instead of following a rigid, linear franchise model.
DCU’s Standalone Stories and Mythology
This vision sets the DCU apart from Marvel’s structure, where films often require audiences to catch up on previous installments. Instead, Gunn intends to immerse fans directly into a living, breathing world. As a result, each DCU project can stand alone while remaining connected to a broader mythology.
Superman already reflects this method. Lex Luthor and Superman already face each other as established enemies, while Clark Kent’s romance with Lois Lane continues to unfold. This “start in the middle” approach mirrors Star Wars: A New Hope, which launched audiences into the Rebellion versus Empire conflict without a long setup. Likewise, Game of Thrones began after House Targaryen had already fallen.
Additionally, recent Star Wars shows such as Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew embody the same principle. The shows include Easter eggs for loyal fans, yet still remain accessible to newcomers. Gunn appears determined to strike that same balance.
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