DC creative boss James Gunn explains the differences between his new job and what Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige does for the MCU.
James Gunn explains how his DC Universe role is different from Kevin Feige’s at Marvel Studios. Gunn has recently finished work on his Marvel Cinematic Universe trilogy with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn is now going to be shifting his attention to the ongoing casting process of DC’s Superman: Legacy, which he both writes and directs. Gunn’s DC role puts him as the studio’s top creative mind, and the new executive explains how his DC Universe role is different from Feige’s Marvel job.
Speaking on the WIRED Autocomplete Interview, Gunn explained the differences between his and Feige’s jobs after being asked if he was “the Kevin Feige of DC.”
Gunn explained how his DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran handles the more administrative side of the studio, while Gunn is in charge of “mapping out the stories” of the new DC Universe. Gunn compares that to Feige’s job at Marvel, saying, “Kevin has to do both.” Check out the full quote below:
“It’s actually a little different, I mean… Number one, DC Studios is a studio, so it’s a little bit different. Peter Safran [DC Studios co-CEO] does a lot of what Kevin Feige does. A lot of what I do is I just work on the creative side of things, so… Mapping out the stories and the creative side of the universe is my job, much more so than some of the more administrative/ executive type of stuff. Kevin has to do both.”
Why James Gunn’s DC Universe Job Is Perfect For Him
Gunn’s new position at DC makes perfect sense, with him being allowed to do what he’s best known for, creating expansive worlds with endearing characters. Safran was already working as a producer on the old DCEU, so having the executive there to handle the transition and command DC’s administrative side is just what Gunn needed. Gunn is free to focus on crafting the overall story of the new DC Universe, which could eventually lead to a Marvel and DC crossover.
The first signs of where that story might be headed were revealed during the DC Universe’s January slate announcement. Gunn will not be leaving his writing and directing duties behind as DC’s new creative leader, with Gunn being the writer and director of Superman: Legacy and having already delivered all the scripts for the Creature Commandos animated series. Creature Commandos is based on an obscure DC team, which fits Gunn’s style, as seen through his work making Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy a household team.
While Gunn will be writing and directing some projects in the new DC Universe, he cannot do it all by himself. Luckily, Gunn has assembled a mighty team with some of the best writers working in the superhero medium today. The DC Universe’s writers’ room includes Christal Henry (Watchmen), Christina Hudson (Birds of Prey/ The Flash), Drew Goddard (Daredevil), Jeremy Slater (The Umbrella Academy/ Moon Knight), and DC Comics writer Tom King (Batman/ Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow). With such a talented group, the future of Gunn’s DC Universe is looking promising.
