James Gunn Confirms His DC Studios Role Is "Truly a Creative Force": “I Write, I Direct”
James Gunn isn’t wasting time in boardroom meetings dreaming up popcorn bucket tie-ins. While fans have speculated about how involved the filmmaker really is in the business side of DC Studios, Gunn just cleared things up.
In a recent interview with Rainn Wilson for Interview Magazine, Wilson joked about the complexities of running a studio, tossing out a sarcastic question about balancing creative work with corporate obligations like “the new Superman’s anus popcorn AMC tie-in.” Gunn laughed it off and made his real job clear.
"Listen, in all fairness, Peter Safran takes care of all the hard stuff. He is the guy that takes care of all the business aspects of everything. My job here is truly as a creative force.
“I write, I direct, and I deal with other writers and directors on their projects and help to usher them along the best I can."
That creative role includes shaping the future of the DCU, from script notes to helping guide the tone and vision of upcoming films and series.
"My time is limited so I can’t give as much time as I would like to say, [Clayface director] James Watkins or [Supergirl director] Craig Gillespie or Chris Mundy working over on Lanterns.
“I make a lot of notes on cuts and notes on scripts and then just try to fit together what the overall plan is with all these characters."
I love how he says his time is limited, but he manages to spend so much of it on social media dealing with fans and rumors.
Since being appointed co-CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran in 2022, Gunn hasn’t slowed down creatively. He directed Superman, is writing and showrunning the second season of Peacemaker, and overseeing a slate of films and shows that make up DCU Chapter One.
So, while Peter Safran handles the spreadsheets and deal-making, Gunn stays locked in as the DCU’s creative heart, guiding the stories, shaping the tone, and bringing a new DC vision to life without being distracted by the boring business logistics.