'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAb/xAAgEAACAQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABBEFEiFBBgcT/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgT/xAAbEQACAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwABBBEhMv/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Ahtb8z0/RbILDG1xcnbPtK7PorgqwL4JyAeOuKnLf2jPHBGjRMWVQCc94pSiwaP1KVZBL5Wp//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
James Gunn might just be the hero DC has been waiting for—and no, he doesn’t need a cape to prove it. For over a decade, DC’s cinematic universe has long brimmed with potential and iconic characters, but lacked clear direction. But with James Gunn officially taking the wheel, the tides might finally be turning.
With grounded heroes, fresher storylines, and a renewed creative direction, the DC universe’s makeover looks promising and bursting with potential. And if his track record is any clue, Gunn might be exactly what the franchise hneeded to get back on track. Here’s why.
James Gunn's entry in the DCEU
In October 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav tapped James Gunn and producer Peter Safran as co-CEOs and co-chairmen of the newly established DC Studios, effective from November 1, 2022. This was a move aimed at the studio’s potential success, centralizing creative and business control under a single leadership structure. Gunn took on the role of the creative lead, overseeing the projects, tone, and what would see the light of the screen. Safran dealt with the logistics.
Facing widespread criticism of DC’s inconsistent output, the pair immediately paused numerous projects in development and instituted a quality-first mandate. Gunn insisted on finalized scripts before greenlighting any production, stating he would “quit” rather than rush content. Safran confirmed there was zero external pressure to increase production volume, reinforcing the duo’s commitment to deliberate, well-crafted storytelling.
This leadership change marked a clear pivot for DC: unified control, creative discipline, and a commitment to rebuilding audience trust through a cohesive, quality-driven universe.
How the James Gunn effect is already showing in RT numbers
The James Gunn effect is clear in the reviews and ratings of his work compared to earlier DC films.
David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad film sits at a disappointing 26% Rotten Tomatoes score. Although it was a financial success (like most Marvel and DC projects), it still faced harsh criticism from fans and critics. The sequel, directed by James Gunn and released in 2021, has a stunning 90% Rotten Tomatoes score. It was a success among fans and the box office alike, emerging as the undoubted better film in the franchise.
Now come to Man of Steel. Gunn’s Superman, released this July, is the highest-rated Superman in the last three decades. With an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and flourishing reviews and ratings, the film has quietly and successfully established Gunn at DC. The only Superman films that have received higher ratings are both of Christopher Reeve’s Superman films from the ’80s. The Henry Cavill-starrer Man of Steel has an upsetting 57% score. Every other Superman film released in the last decade that has been a crowd-pleaser has been an animated one
Trending
So that raises the question: Is James Gunn’s inception of the DCU just the push the studio needed for success? And the answer is a stable yes. With all the projects in line and fresher takes on all the Gods and Monsters, Gunn is clearly reshaping the DC universe. He might be leading the studio to the kind of commercial success it has not seen in recent years. It’s still early, but for the first time in years, the DC Universe feels like it’s on a steady path forward.
James Gunn's Superman is now in theaters.
Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!
Reply
