James Gunn: A Marvel/DC Crossover Possible ‘Many Years Away’
James Gunn is giving hope to all those who wish to see a Marvel and DC Universe crossover. Since Gunn has become the head of DC Studios, he recently told Empire Magazine that he’s “certain that’s more likely now that I’m in charge.”
“Who knows? That’s many years away, though,” Gunn added. “I think we have to establish what we’re doing [at DC] first. I would be lying to say that we haven’t discussed it. But all discussions have been very, very light and fun.”
Gunn’s final directing project for Marvel is the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He already has directed DC’s 2021 movie, The Suicide Squad. Now, Gunn is leading DC Studios with producer Peter Safran and is crafting a new DC Universe. Chapter one of this first phase is called “Gods and Monsters.” That kicks off with 2025’s Superman: Legacy, which Gunn is writing and directing.
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“It’s not like Superman is going to have exactly the same vibe as a Guardians movie,” Gunn told Rolling Stone earlier this week. “It’s actually quite different.” However, he tells the publication of the “superhero fatigue” that has plagued films and television. “I think it doesn’t have anything to do with superheroes,” he speculates. “It has to do with the kind of stories that get to be told and if you lose your eye on the ball, which is character.” After listing favorites like Superman, Batman and Iron Man, Gunn says it’s because they’re these “incredible characters that we have in our hearts. And if it becomes just a bunch of nonsense onscreen, it gets really boring.” The director admits he gets fatigued “by most spectacle films, by the grind of not having an emotionally grounded story.”
Marvel and DC
As for a rivalry between Marvel and DC, Gunn believes the two superhero entertainment hubs actually make each other better. “I think the better Marvel movies do, it’s better for DC, and the better DC movies do, it’s better for Marvel,” he tells the publication.
Gunn has been open about Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige supporting his transition to leading DC Studios. As we previously reported, the first chapter of Gunn and Safran’s DCEU is called “Gods and Monsters.” That phase will include a Superman movie reboot, a Supergirl film, a Wonder Woman-based HBO Max series and more. There will also be a sequel to The Batman which will exist outside of the DCEU, and will be labeled as an “Elseworlds” film.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits theaters on May 5, while Superman: Legacy is slotted for a July 11, 2025 release.
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