James Gunn Opens Up on Killing Greenlit DCU Movie

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James Gunn, CEO of DC Studios, shared insights into the creative development of upcoming projects within the DC Universe. This discussion follows the initial release of Superman’s movie, marking the beginning of Gunn’s franchise in this universe. Currently, it has a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 404 reviews.

James Gunn explains how a DCU movie gets canceled

In a recent interview with Ideastream Public Media, Gunn emphasized the significance of fully developed screenplays in ensuring the quality of movies and shows prior to production. He attributes poor movie outcomes to writers not having enough time to perfect their scripts, as some studios rush projects to predetermined release dates without completed scripts.

Gunn stated that one issue with unfinished screenplays is receiving just the opening act, which can be captivating but doesn’t connect to the final part if it hasn’t been written yet. He emphasized that movies and plots are like intricately designed clocks where every piece must work together seamlessly. Unfortunately, he’s seen this problem repeatedly, and it drives him mad. Despite his efforts to educate others, they continue to make the same mistake, which is bewildering to him. However, Gunn vows never to commit such an error himself.

Additionally, Gunn shared an instance where he decided to scrap a DCU film that was already approved due to the fact that the script wasn’t improving in successive revisions. Proceeding with the project would have only reflected poorly on both the director and the screenwriter.

Recently, we found ourselves in a situation where a film project was approved for production. We worked on revisions – from the second draft all the way to the third – but the script wasn’t improving. It remained stagnant, and I realized that this movie just wouldn’t be any good. Even with a skilled director and a talented screenwriter involved, a great script doesn’t automatically materialize. If we went ahead and made the film, it would end up being disappointing for everyone involved – the director, the screenwriter, and us. So I decided that we should abandon the project instead.

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2025-07-17 22:17