James Gunn comments on Marvel Studios content overload, pointing to Disney’s aggressive release schedule as the main cause for the franchise’s recent troubles. Speaking as the co-head of DC Studios, Gunn expressed frustration at the sheer number of movies and shows released, questioning the impact it has had on both creators and fans.
Pressure to Produce More Content Led to Franchise Fatigue
Audiences have increasingly criticized Marvel Studios for releasing too many films and series, making it difficult for even dedicated fans to stay up to date. The underwhelming box office performance of “Thunderbolts”—which featured a cast of lesser-known heroes—has fueled this conversation, with many seeing it as a sign of franchise fatigue.
Now leading DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, James Gunn has openly discussed his perspective on Marvel’s challenges. With nine movies and shows expected in just 2025, Gunn sympathizes with the creative hurdles Marvel faces. During an interview, Gunn stated,
“I don’t even know if it’s really their fault,”
while referring to a private conversation in which a Marvel executive admitted, in the interviewer’s words, that they “put out too much stuff.” —James Gunn, Co-CEO DC Studios
The sheer volume did not go unnoticed internally. Reports indicate that Marvel chief Kevin Feige believes recent MCU projects feel “more like homework than entertainment.” Disney CEO Bob Iger has also acknowledged,
“Marvel lost a little focus by making too much,”
calling “Thunderbolts” a turning point and claiming it exemplifies “better quality” after efforts to re-center on movies. Gunn’s connection to Marvel remains clear, as his first call after taking the DC Studios helm was to Feige, emphasizing the ongoing dialogue between the two studios.
Mandates From Disney Drove Rapid Output
Questions arose about whether Disney specifically pushed Marvel to increase output. Addressing this, Gunn remarked,
“That wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. And it killed them.”
—James Gunn, Co-CEO DC Studios
Marvel’s own head of streaming, Brad Winderbaum, confirmed there was directive to
“create as much as we could for Disney Plus as quickly as we could.”
—Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Head of Streaming
Gunn has made it clear that he intends to avoid repeating this mistake at DC Studios. He explained,
“We don’t have the mandate to have a certain amount of movies and TV shows every year. So we’re going to put out everything that we think is of the highest quality. We’re obviously going to do some good things and some not-so-good things, but hopefully on average everything will be as high-quality as possible.”
—James Gunn, Co-CEO DC Studios. He stressed the importance of strong writing, stating,
“Nothing goes before there’s a screenplay that I personally am happy with.”
—James Gunn, Co-CEO DC Studios
Marvel Studios Changes Course as DC Charts a Different Path
Responding to criticism and internal feedback, Marvel Studios is now pulling back, with Iger’s recent statements highlighting a renewed focus on “quality over quantity.” The upcoming “Fantastic Four,” slated for release in July, represents the next chapter in this strategy shift.
Meanwhile, DC Studios under Gunn is moving forward with a more deliberate approach. After July’s “Superman,” the second season of “Peacemaker” will launch, and “Supergirl” will follow next year when it returns to theaters. This measured schedule highlights Gunn and Safran’s commitment to produce fewer, but better, projects compared to the earlier Marvel strategy.
The evolution at both Marvel and DC comes after a period of oversaturation in the superhero genre. The commentary and restructuring from leaders like James Gunn and Bob Iger signal a significant shift aimed at regaining both critical and audience approval in the coming years.
