James Gunn Subtly Critiques Marvel as He Prepares for New DCU Launch

Even the most passionate Marvel enthusiasts can agree that keeping up with all the content can feel overwhelming, almost like schoolwork. That’s precisely what James Gunn is hoping to sidestep with his vision for the new DCU.

After several turbulent years and a patchwork of films that failed to form a cohesive universe, DC is ready for a fresh start. Next week, we’ll see the debut of “Creature Commandos,” the first project launched under Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios and the kickoff for the new DCU. With the lingering questions from the previous DCU still in the air, Gunn recently sat down with Collider to address what’s canon and shared his thoughts on the necessity (or lack thereof) to consume every piece of a cinematic universe.

When they inquired about whether “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” would be part of the new DCU canon, Gunn clarified, “Peacemaker is pretty straightforward. Season 1 of Peacemaker is essentially canon, aside from the Justice League’s appearance at the end, which you’ll see addressed in Season 2. As for ‘Suicide Squad,’ it’s a bit more flexible.”

He elaborated, “We’re aware that Rick Flag Sr. is upset about his son’s death at the hands of Peacemaker, so we acknowledge that event in the past. It’s a reference point we can use, but it’s in canon because it’s mentioned in ‘Creature Commandos,’ not strictly because it happened in ‘Suicide Squad.'”

Gunn also shared his excitement about the potential of DC in his conversation with Collider, explaining, “A significant part of what makes DC exciting for me is the world-building aspect, not just storytelling. I don’t think of the DCU as a saga across multiple films and shows centered on one antagonist. I don’t want audiences to feel they need to watch everything to understand the universe. It’s more about a connected universe within DCU, with unique flavors shaped by different artists, directors, and production teams for each show.”

Fans know Gunn directed all three “Guardians of the Galaxy” films for Marvel, with the third film being a direct follow-up to “Avengers: Endgame.” His comment might feel like a gentle jab at Marvel—one that’s understandable as their content can be daunting to keep up with.

Under Gunn’s guidance, DC Studios promises a diverse slate of projects. The DCU will feature movies about iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Supergirl, plus teams like the Teen Titans, alongside shows like “Creature Commandos,” “Peacemaker,” “Lanterns,” and “Booster Gold.” Let’s not forget about the Elseworlds projects too—like “The Batman 2” and that intriguing CGI/stop-motion/live-action Robin film. There’s no denying Gunn has a taste for variety.