James Gunn’s Bold Direction: Telling Superman Star to ‘Shut the F* Up’ on Set!

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In a recent interview with GQ, director James Gunn shares insights into his on-set dynamic with actor David Corenswet. A standout moment is when Gunn confesses he occasionally asked Corenswet to be quiet – a request that, surprisingly, did not offend the actor.

In simpler terms, “Gunn compared Corenswet to a curious child touching live electrical outlets during filming, and at times found it necessary to gently correct him by saying ‘stop’ or giving a gentle warning.

The director commented, “At times, his queries are incredibly insightful, enhancing both him and the film. However, occasionally there’s just one too many, leaving me thinking, ‘Oh, David, enough already!’ Yet, what I appreciate about our relationship is that David recognizes this about himself and respects my boundaries. When I say, ‘David, could you please be quiet for a moment?’, he understands and doesn’t take it to heart.

In response, Corenswet appears to embrace Gunn’s assertive directing method. He characterized the director’s unique style as both unusual and occasionally discomforting, yet beneficial for his acting performance in the end.

According to Corenswet, James often adopts an unconventional approach while directing scenes. Instead of providing suggestions after a take, he tends to shout instructions from the monitors on the sidelines, which is unusual for directors as they typically wait until after the scene is finished before offering feedback privately and quietly.

Instead of resisting, Corenswet embraced the situation. “As soon as that happened, I thought, ‘This is going to be fantastic because I have no idea what I’m doing.’ I desperately need a director,” he confessed. “I need someone who knows exactly what they want and isn’t afraid to speak up clearly without being overly polite or evasive.

It seems that the actor and director share a strong connection, as Gunn described their partnership as “a wonderful relationship.” Notably, he distinguished Corenswet from other actors who may have reacted negatively to such straightforward handling.

In a natural and easy-to-read manner: “Gunn mentioned that he is accustomed to dealing with actors who are quite emotionally vulnerable due to their on-screen performances. However, when it comes to David, he’s different – he doesn’t exhibit the same level of sensitivity.

Discussions have been stirred online about the comments made by Gunn and Corenswet regarding their working relationship. The comments have raised eyebrows due to Gunn’s direct and somewhat strong language when talking about his lead actor, especially considering the high-profile nature of the project, which is Superman. In today’s climate where the behavior on set, particularly from powerful directors, is under close scrutiny, Gunn’s remarks, although possibly intended as praise, might come off as unusually assertive.

Ultimately, if Corenswet appears unfazed by this kind of interaction and, according to the article, may even embrace it, it leaves little ground for questioning the nature of their working relationship.

Corenswet is taking on a legendary role in movie history, and the film aims to reboot the entire DC Universe under Gunn’s guidance. The pressure from just this task is substantial, but what might stand out to some is Corenswet’s modest comments, such as “I have no idea what I’m doing,” which could seem unusually humble for an actor donning the cape.

So far, Warner Bros. hasn’t responded to the interview, and there haven’t been any accusations of misconduct. However, James Gunn’s openness might encourage some fans and industry experts to scrutinize more closely the situation that’s influencing one of the studio’s key ventures.

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2025-07-10 18:01