James Gunn Explains His Recasting Philosophy For The DCU
James Gunn isn’t loooking to overcomplicate things when it comes to casting in the DC Universe. The DC Studios co-CEO made it clear that if an actor can’t stick with a role, he’ll simply find someone else to carry the mantle.
On Instagram Threads, a fan asked Gunn, “If an actor can no longer play a character within the DCU, is there a possibility of changing the actor or will the character be discarded?”
Gunn’s answer was direct: "If an actor can't continue a role I'll change the actor no problem."
As you know, Marvel Studios has had this issue. When Jonathan Majors was fired from the role of Kang, instead of recasting the actor, Marvel decided to instead change up the whole trajectory of their MCU plans. It would’ve been so much easier just to recast Kang.
Gunn’s DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters is just beginning, and most of the actors he’s introducing are expected to stick around for years. Gunn has already teased possible spin-offs for characters like Mr. Terrific and Jimmy Olsen, and fans already know that Milly Alcock, who cameoed as Supergirl in Superman, is headlining her own upcoming film.
When launching the DCU, Gunn shook things up by casting David Corenswet as the new Superman, replacing longtime fan favorite Henry Cavill. At the same time, some familiar faces survived the transition. John Cena’s Peacemaker is officially sticking around.
Season 2 of Peacemaker will be fully tied into Gunn’s new universe and will take place after the events of Superman. The story follows Cena’s Christopher Smith as he stumbles into an alternate world where everything is exactly the way he wishes it could be.
Gunn’s approach to the DCU is clear… the characters are bigger than the actors. If someone can’t keep going, the role will live on with someone new.