The One Comic Book Movie James Gunn Said Was Perfect

James Gunn has certainly earned his stripes in the world of superhero cinema, having masterfully handled massive franchises for both Marvel and DC. Because he has successfully navigated two different comic book giants, Warner Bros. recently hired him as the co-CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran.

Gunn is now at the helm of a major mission to refresh the brand and compete directly with Marvel by overseeing a new era of films. It is safe to say that when it comes to masks and capes, Gunn truly knows his stuff. This background gives his praise for a specific superhero movie a lot of extra weight. During an interview with GQ, Gunn labeled the 2016 film Deadpool as a “perfect” piece of work.

He explained that both the first and second Deadpool movies are actually among his favourite comic book movies. The original film, directed by Tim Miller, stars Ryan Reynolds as a fast-talking mercenary who discovers he is immortal and constantly breaks the fourth wall to talk to the audience.

Gunn appreciated how the movie came out right after his own Guardians of the Galaxy films and pushed the limits of comedy even further. He specifically pointed out that the rude and self-aware humor of the film perfectly matched the tone of the original comic books, which makes it a very loyal adaptation.

According to Gunn, the movie does that really well and manages to stay true to the source material. It isn’t just about the jokes, though; Gunn also finds that the movie has a surprising amount of heart.

Even with all the constant gags and irreverent behavior, the story manages to stay grounded and feel real. He praised the film for being able to keep it grounded and give it a little bit more heart than the comics have. This balance of laughter and genuine emotion is something Gunn finds exceptional in the superhero genre.

He also had high praise for the leading man, ranking Ryan Reynolds alongside icons like Robert Downey Jr. and Christopher Reeve. Fortunately for fans of the franchise, the story has continued to evolve well into the year.

Following the massive success of Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024, which brought Hugh Jackman back to the big screen, the series has cemented its place as a powerhouse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Gunn’s simple declaration that Deadpool is a perfect adaptation of a comic book explains exactly why the character remains so popular.

As of this year, Ryan Reynolds has stayed incredibly busy with several new projects. He is set to star in the action-comedy Mayday alongside Kenneth Branagh, which is scheduled for a September release on Apple TV+.

Additionally, reports from early this year suggest that Reynolds is already focused on developing a fourth Deadpool movie to keep the momentum going. Outside of his superhero work, he has been busy producing projects through his company, Maximum Effort, and managing his various business ventures, including his ownership of Wrexham AFC.

Meanwhile, James Gunn is currently focused on the massive rollout of his new DC Universe. Following the summer 2025 release of his film Superman, which starred David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, Gunn is now overseeing the production of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.