James Gunn Confirms 2 Major Ways His DCU Will Differ from Marvel

by

In an exclusive interview about his upcoming “Superman” project, filmmaker James Gunn explained that his take on the DC Universe will not simply mimic the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, he’s planning to create a unique and distinct version of the superhero universe in two significant ways.

The David Corenswet-led Superman isn’t just continuing the legacy of cherished film adaptations; it’s also marking the theatrical debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s reimagined DCU as Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. Before its premiere, James Gunn shared with Entertainment Weekly that his superhero universe will be inspired by the comics but won’t require too much from viewers compared to the MCU.

Instead of Phase 1 of the MCU, which focused on introducing individual heroes and gradually building its universe, the new DCU immerses viewers into a world already familiar with metahumans. As per the director, encountering a character like a shark-man in this universe would be similar to spotting Paul McCartney strolling down a New York City street.

It was clearly evident in the series itself that, aside from Corenswet’s hero, Superman also included the Justice League. This ensemble featured Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion portraying Green Lantern/Guy Gardner (who provided an explanation for his peculiar Green Lantern here), and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific. Notably, this experienced superpowered trio was also backed by a corporation.

To elaborate on this method, Gunn mentioned his memories of reading comics as a child, featuring superheroes engaging with each other, as well as watching “Super Friends” cartoons on Saturday mornings.

I spent my childhood immersed in DC and Marvel comics, enjoying stories about superheroes coexisting within their fictional realms. On Saturday mornings, I watched the animated series “Super Friends“. It’s been a long-held dream to participate in a reality where superheroes are genuine characters. In this world, we don’t have to justify everything; there’s a touch of enchantment here and there’s science that surpasses our comprehension. This is the type of universe that likely houses an island inhabited by dinosaurs.

However, it’s not just the interconnected structure that sets his universe apart from the MCU. The director and CEO deliberately avoid overwhelming viewers with homework-like requirements, a critique often leveled at the MCU for its complex web of connections and character crossovers between its series on Disney+ and films.

As Gunn explains, it won’t be necessary for Superman to keep an eye on Supergirl (or future projects, as the director has recently altered her title) because he wants everyone to be able to jump into the story that comes next without feeling like they’ve missed crucial information.

A Third Way James Gunn’s Universe Differs From the MCU

Ultimately, although the director of ‘Superman’ didn’t elaborate on this point in Entertainment Weekly, there is another key aspect that sets his DC Universe apart from Marvel, and that’s the lasting impact of character deaths.

When talking about bringing characters back to life on Threads, James Gunn pointed out that it diminishes the impact of death, stating, “Death loses its significance,” and added, “In the DC Universe, if a character dies, they stay deceased.

In some Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU) stories, characters have been killed off only to return later. For example, Bucky Barnes, who was thought to have died in Captain America: The First Avenger, reappeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Loki has also perished several times, but on one occasion his death led to a new timeline, allowing his narrative to persist. Furthermore, all those who disintegrated in Avengers: Infinity War were resurrected, and even Gamora from the Guardians of the Galaxy team continues her story through an alternate version of herself after Thanos sacrificed the original at Vormir.

In other words, even though there might be special cases such as the “Lazarus Pit”, the choice must be an integral aspect of the narrative itself.

I find the Lazarus Pit an intriguing concept for my story, but I’d prefer not to use it as a means to bring back dead characters. Instead, I want the pit to play a significant role within the narrative itself.

In the initial phases of DCU’s reboot, James Gunn has demonstrated his dedication to a storyline where “dead truly means dead.” This was evident in ‘Creature Commandos,’ where The Bride fatally killed Ilana, voiced by Maria Bakalova.

‘

I’m unsure if she could recover from such an event. In the DC Universe, once a character dies, they stay deceased – that’s how things have always been handled.

In the gripping first season of “Peacemaker,” I found myself witnessing an unexpected turn of events – the demise of Clemson Murn, played by Chukwudi Iwuji. This shocking plot twist, coupled with James Gunn’s open hints, could prove to be a strategic move for the DCU. It adds a sense of realism to the universe while simultaneously ratcheting up the tension and stakes.

This implies that tragically, Malik is not coming back, as he was brutally murdered by Lex Luthor in Superman. Although his demise is irreversible, it significantly showcased Clark’s battle to uphold righteousness and Lex’s potential for ruthless wickedness.

Check out 30 MCU characters who died in Phase 5 of the MCU here.

Read More

2025-07-25 10:35