James Gunn Breaks Silence on Netflix’s Warner Bros. Deal as DCU Questions Persist
With the rebooted DC Universe taking shape, James Gunn has been everywhere at once, shaping the big picture, while also focusing on the film projects his personally developing. Fans will see his fingerprints on Superman, Creature Commandos, and the second season of Peacemaker.
Other projects like Supergirl, Clayface, and Lanterns are moving forward without him directing, but they’re still part of the larger plan he’s helping build and guide.
That plan is now facing a new variable. The entertainment world took notice when Netflix finalized its massive $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., a move that instantly raised questions about what happens next for the DCU.
Gunn’s current deal with DC Studios runs through 2027, but beyond that, nothing is locked in. With new leadership above him, the long-term future of the DCU feels less predictable than it did just months ago.
That uncertainty becomes even more real when you look at the upcoming theatrical slate. Movies like Supergirl and Clayface need to perform. Their success or failure could shape how much freedom Gunn has to keep telling the kinds of stories he’s passionate about, especially if priorities shift toward safer, bigger-name franchises.
Speaking with The Playlist, Gunn didn’t pretend to have answers he doesn’t. Addressing the acquisition and what it might mean for his creative control, he said, “Do I have hopes? No, I really don’t because everything’s unknown. I think it’s all really exciting, frankly.
“So I hope and pray for the best. And I’ve been through these sorts of changes so many times that I’ll always be careful what you wish for because you don’t really know until you know.”
He also made it clear that, uncertainty aside, he’s approaching the situation with genuine curiosity rather than fear. He added:
“And I hope it goes well, and I think it’s exciting, you know, every direction has really exciting things for DC, so I’m excited about where it’s going to go.”
For now, the next two years feel pretty crucial. Under Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Gunn had room to chase ambitious ideas and take creative swings. Whether that same flexibility exists under Netflix’s ownership is an open question.
A company focused on global reach and subscriber growth might lean harder into guaranteed hits like Batman or the Justice League, leaving less space for riskier or more personal projects.
That’s why the upcoming releases matter so much. Strong box office results could give Gunn leverage and prove that this version of the DCU has staying power. Weak performances could push the franchise in a very different direction.
So where do you land on all of this? What are you hoping to see come out of Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros., and how do you feel about the future of the DCU under this new setup?
