James Gunn Makes a Subtle Jab at Marvel Ahead of New DCU Launch: “I Don’t Want to Do Homework to Follow Everything”

Even the most avid Marvel enthusiasts might admit that keeping up with its vast array of content can feel a bit like a homework assignment. With the new DC Universe, James Gunn is aiming to avoid this overwhelming experience.

After years of struggling to establish a cohesive cinematic universe, DC is taking a fresh start. Next up is the release of “Creature Commandos,” the first project debuting under Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios, and kicking off the new DCU. Although remnants of the old DCU linger, Gunn recently addressed some lingering questions in an interview with Collider. He clarified what’s considered canon and shared his thoughts on the pressure to watch all content from a cinematic universe.

When asked if “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” would be integrated into the new DCU canon, Gunn shared, “Peacemaker is fairly straightforward. The first season is primarily canon, except for the Justice League’s cameo at the end. You’ll see how that’s handled in Season 2. ‘The Suicide Squad,’ however, is a bit more flexible.”

Gunn went on to elaborate, “We know that Rick Flag Sr. is upset over his son’s death at Peacemaker’s hands. This establishes a past event referenced in ‘Creature Commandos,’ making it canon not simply because it appeared in ‘The Suicide Squad.'”

Gunn opened up about what excites him about DC, commenting to Collider, “What I really enjoy about DC is the world-building aspect, beyond just story development. I see the DCU not as a single narrative spread across multiple films and shows focused on one major antagonist. As a viewer, I don’t want it to feel like you need a syllabus to watch everything. It’s about a cohesive universe with distinct elements, influenced by those creating the shows, like directors and production designers.”

Everyone knows Gunn steered the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy for Marvel, with the final installment influenced by “Avengers: Endgame.” This might come across as a slight jab at Marvel, and perhaps a justified one, given how much content is required to understand the storyline fully.

Under Gunn’s leadership, DC Studios appears to be embracing a diverse slate of projects. The DCU will feature iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Supergirl, alongside groups like the Teen Titans. TV offerings include “Creature Commandos,” “Peacemaker,” “Lanterns,” and “Booster Gold.” There’s also the unconventional Elseworlds category with titles like “The Batman 2” and an eclectic CGI/stop-motion/live-action Robin film. Gunn’s commitment to variety is certainly evident.