Jennifer Holland Explains Why James Gunn Loves Casting His Friends and Family in His Movies
If you've watched enough James Gunn movies over the years, you've probably noticed a familiar pattern. Certain actors keep showing up, whether it's Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, Steve Agee, Nathan Fillion, or, of course, Jennifer Holland.
It's something fans have talked about, especially now that Gunn is leading DC Studios and bringing many of those same collaborators into the DC Universe.
Some people chalk it up to loyalty, while others simply enjoy seeing those familiar faces pop up in new projects. According to Holland, though, the reason is much more personal than many fans might expect.
The actress, who plays Emilia Harcourt in Peacemaker and is also Gunn's wife, recently spoke with CinemaBlend about why the filmmaker surrounds himself with the same group of actors again and again.
She explained: "It really just comes about because James loves to have his friends and family around him all the time. It's hard to make movies; it's lonely. You're stuck in a place that's not your home for a very long period of time."
Anyone who's worked on a film set knows productions can stretch on for months, often taking cast and crew far from home. Spending that much time away from loved ones isn't easy, so Gunn has found a way to bring some of that support system with him.
Holland continued: "You don't have all of your friends and family with you, so as much as he can include friends and family in his movies, he tries.
“That gives them an excuse to be around and he really thrives on that. As much as he is a loner when it comes to sitting in an office, typing on his computer… he really is inspired by and revived by true relationships."
It puts Gunn's casting choices into a different perspective. Rather than simply relying on actors he's comfortable working with, it sounds like he genuinely enjoys building productions around people he cares about. That kind of atmosphere probably makes those long shooting schedules a little more enjoyable for everyone involved.
His love for those close to him even extends beyond the people in his life. Gunn previously revealed that Krypto in Superman was inspired by his own rescue dog, Ozu, with the superhero pup sharing both his appearance and personality.
As Gunn continues shaping the future of the DC Universe, his friends and family will keep showing up alongside new talent as the filmmaker continues telling stories with the people who inspire him.
Up next, Gunn is moving forward with Man of Tomorrow, the follow-up to Superman, which is currently in production.