Last week, the internet exploded when Warner Bros. pulled off a rare feat of completely surprising fans with the announcement that it was setting up a new sub-studio, DC Studios, which would produce all of its DC Comics-based film and TV projects moving forward. Equally shocking was the announcement that producer Peter Safran and fan-favorite director James Gunn were going to serve as co-presidents.
Gunn’s first major hit movie was Guardians of the Galaxy for rival Marvel Studios. The film was a surprise smash and Gunn returned for the sequel Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, which was also a major hit. Gunn was set to return for a third installment in this franchise and was going to step up to work alongside Kevin Feige, to essentially oversee the cosmic side of the MCU. But then some old, insensitive tweets were dredged up by conservative haters who disagreed with Gunn’s liberal politics creating a controversy. Disney’s reaction was to fire Gunn.
But over time, and under pressure from fans, Marvel re-hired Gunn, who is delivering not just Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, but the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special.
But in the meantime, James Gunn was hired by WB which gave him carte blanche to develop whatever DC projects he wanted. Unfortunately, his first film, The Suicide Squad tanked, despite getting great reviews and reactions from fans. He redeemed himself with his follow-up, the HBO Max series The Peacemaker, the biggest original hit yet for HBO Max. He also has a couple of other related projects upcoming, that we know of.
But have no fear! The relationship between Gunn and Feige hasn’t soured with the announcement that Gunn has going to serve the same purpose for rival DC Studios.
A fan on Twitter asked Gunn, “So do you hate Kevin Feige now?”
On the contrary! Gunn replied that Feige was the first person he told once the deal was finalized. As he added, The Peacemaker star John Cena was the second.
Not only do I love Kevin, he was the 1st person I told after I did the deal with DC (@JohnCena was the 2nd). Contrary to popular belief, a dollar less for Marvel is not a dollar more for DC. DC & Marvel have the common goal of keeping the theater-going experience vibrant & alive! https://t.co/5iiGEWS5Zc
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2022
Feige echoed the sentiment by telling Deadline Hollywood:
“Well, he has got a lot of work to do for Marvel between now and May, which he’s well aware of. But after that, I’ll be first in line to see anything he does.”
Kevin Feige on James Gunn joining DC: “I’ll be first in line to see anything he does” pic.twitter.com/spptngC2jF
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) October 27, 2022
What would you like to see in the DCEU now that Gunn and Safran are running it?
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special debuts on Disney+ on November 25. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 hits theaters next year on May 5, 2023.
