James Gunn Blames Hollywood’s Decline & Marvel’s Slow Death on One Specific Thing He Always Avoids: “That wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. And it killed them”
James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has pinpointed a major issue plaguing the film industry: starting production without a polished script. In a recent interview, Gunn stated, “I do believe that the reason why the movie industry is dying is not because of people not wanting to see movies. It’s not because of home screens getting so good. The number-one reason is because people are making movies without a finished screenplay.” He argues this rush harms movie quality and drives audiences away.
Gunn shared that DC Studios recently halted a project despite enthusiasm from the team because the script wasn’t up to par. “Everybody wanted to make the movie. It was greenlit, ready to go. The screenplay wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t do a movie where the screenplay’s not good,” he explained. In contrast, he praised the scripts for upcoming DC projects like Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface, calling them “so f*cki*g good.”
Unlike his time at Marvel, where Disney’s push for more Disney+ content strained quality, Gunn said DC faces no pressure from Warner Bros. to meet quotas. “That wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. And it killed them,” he said of Marvel’s overproduction.
“We don’t have the mandate [at DC] to have a certain amount of movies and TV shows every year. So we’re going to put out everything that we think is of the highest quality.”
DC’s Superman film, directed by Gunn, is set for release on July 11, 2025, while Supergirl has wrapped filming and is slated for 2026. Other projects, including films about Batman and Wonder Woman, are in development.
Gunn admitted Batman poses his biggest challenge. “Batman’s my biggest issue in all of DC right now, personally,” he said. “I’m not writing Batman, but I am working with the writer of Batman and trying to get it right, because he’s incredibly important to DC, as is Wonder Woman.”
He emphasized that DC’s Batman, distinct from Matt Reeves’ version, needs a clear purpose in the new DC Universe. “Batman has to have a reason for existing, right?” Gunn said. “So Batman can’t just be ‘Oh, we’re making a Batman movie because Batman’s the biggest character in all of Warner Bros.,’ which he is. But because there’s a need for him in the DCU.”
He ruled out a comedic take, stating, “He’s not exactly the same as Matt’s Batman. But yet he’s not a campy Batman. I’m not interested in that. I’m not interested in a funny, campy Batman, really.”
Gunn believes he’s found a direction for Batman but is refining it with the writer. “I think I have a way in, by the way. I think I really know what it’s — I just am dealing with the writer to make sure that we can make it a reality,” he added. He noted Wonder Woman is easier to develop due to fewer cinematic versions, while Batman’s extensive history makes innovation tough. “Every single Batman story has been told,” he said. “It seems like half the comics that have come out of DC over the past 30 years have Batman in them.”
Gunn’s vision for DC prioritizes quality over quantity, aiming to deliver fresh, compelling stories starting with Superman next month.
Gunn’s focus on strong scripts is a smart move. Rushing films with weak writing is a recipe for failure, and his willingness to pause a greenlit project shows commitment to quality. His struggle with Batman is understandable, reinventing such an iconic character is daunting, but I trust he’ll avoid a generic reboot.
I’m optimistic about DC’s future under his leadership, especially with Superman nearing release. What do you think about Gunn’s approach to scripts and his Batman challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments below!