James Gunn Breaks Down How He’s Approaching DCU Interconnectivity Differently From the MCU
James Gunn has always been the kind of storyteller who puts characters first, whether he’s working with a sentient tree, a jaded raccoon, or a foul-mouthed vigilante in a chrome helmet.
Now, as co-CEO of DC Studios and the creative force behind the new DCU, he’s taking that same character-driven mentality and applying it to something a bit more ambitious with an interconnected cinematic universe that doesn’t drown its audience in homework.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn explained how his approach to building the DCU is being shaped by his experience with the MCU. What worked, what didn’t, and what he hopes to do differently. Gunn said:
“I am really trying to be careful that anybody can dip in and see the story that is up next and not feel like they're missing information. The other stories can provide added texture to what you're watching.”
This idea of accessibility without sacrificing depth and storytelling is key to Gunn’s vision. He’s clearly aware of the pitfalls Marvel has run into over the past few years, with their sprawling, often overwhelming continuity that has left casual viewers feeling lost and fatigued.
With so many films and series feeding into one another, keeping up with the MCU has started to feel like a full-time job for fans. Gunn wants to avoid that.
He’s designing the DCU so that every installment can be enjoyed on its own, even if it ties into a broader narrative. That means you won’t have to watch Superman just to understand what’s going on in Supergirl, or need to binge three series to get the next movie.
But, for those who do go all in, there will be deeper layers to uncover. The filmmaker added:
“That might change down the line as we get deeper into what's happening in this universe. It could be like Infinity War and Endgame, where you kind of have to see Infinity War to know what's going on in Endgame.
“But right now, I'm trying to keep it so that you don't have to see Superman to see Supergirl, for example. Even though there's a lot of stuff in Superman that leads to Peacemaker, you certainly don't need to see it to see Peacemaker.”
It’s a smart approach. Marvel's early years thrived because Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Thor were all solid standalone films with personality. The shared universe was a bonus, not a requirement. Gunn seems to be recapturing that philosophy, at least for this initial wave of DCU titles.
With Superman hitting theaters July 8th, 2025, and Peacemaker Season 2 landing on Max this August, we’re about to see this new strategy in action. While the DCU has stumbled in the past trying to play catch-up to Marvel, this new direction is rooted in strong individual storytelling with a light touch of connective tissue.
Here’s hoping the DCU’s new chapter learns from all the bad choices Marvel has made in recent years.