James Gunn, director and head of DC Studios, says the movie industry is facing problems not because audiences do not want movies or because of streaming services. Instead, he believes the main issue is that studios often begin making big movies before the scripts are ready.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn explained that no superhero movie will start production under his leadership without a completed script. He revealed that DC recently canceled a film project even though it had been approved because the script was not finished.
Gunn praised the scripts for upcoming DC films like Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. He thinks having strong scripts is the key to the studio’s success.
Gunn also criticized Marvel’s approach during the launch of Disney+, when the company pushed to make many movies and shows quickly. Disney’s CEO Bob Iger has admitted this was a mistake. Gunn said this rush put too much pressure on Marvel and “killed them.”
At DC, there is no demand to produce a certain number of projects each year. Instead, the studio focuses on quality and only releases films when Gunn approves the script.
Looking ahead, Gunn is working on building the DC Universe with new films such as Superman (coming July 11), Supergirl, and movies about Batman and Wonder Woman. He said Batman is his “biggest issue” because many Batman stories have already been told.
Gunn wants a fresh and necessary take on the character, one that feels new but not silly or funny. He finds developing Wonder Woman easier because she has fewer past versions.
Gunn summed up the challenge with Batman: “Every single Batman story has been told… Having so much of him out there can also make him boring. So how do you create that property that’s fun to watch?”
