James Gunn on DCU standalone stories and accessibility was recently clarified, as he explained that upcoming shows such as Peacemaker Season 2 and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow can be enjoyed without needing to watch the new Superman film first. Gunn outlined his approach in an interview, emphasizing that accessibility remains a core principle in the evolving DC Universe.
DCU Projects Designed for Independent Viewing
James Gunn, in his conversation with Entertainment Weekly, addressed the concern that audiences might have to follow each DCU release in strict order to understand the storylines. He confirmed that even though Superman will be integral to the new Gods and Monsters phase, each major project can stand on its own. Viewers can watch Peacemaker or Supergirl without any obligation to catch Superman first.
“Even though there’s a lot of stuff in Superman that leads to Peacemaker, you certainly don’t need to see it to see Peacemaker,”
—James Gunn, Director
Gunn extended this approach to Supergirl as well. The creative team’s objective is to allow audiences, whether they are longtime fans or newcomers, to jump into any DCU film or series and understand what’s happening without confusion. This strategy makes the universe inviting for a wider audience while also rewarding continuous engagement.
“I am really trying to be careful that anybody can dip in and see the story that is up next and not feel like they’re missing information,”
—James Gunn, Director
Connections Remain Optional, Not Mandatory
While Superman plays a major role in the overarching DCU story, Gunn likened the studio’s current approach to the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, before the plotlines became heavily intertwined across every project. For the time being, continuity across DCU shows and films will be maintained, but no title relies fully on another for essential context.
“That might change down the line… but right now, I’m trying to keep it so that you don’t have to see Superman to see Supergirl, for example,”
—James Gunn, Director
Making TV Episodes Easy to Follow
To help with accessibility, Gunn stated that each DCU television episode will begin with a brief recap. These “Previously in the DCU” segments ease entry for viewers, regardless of how many other series or films they’ve seen.
“We also say ‘Previously in the DCU’ before every episode, so the TV stuff’s pretty easy,”
—James Gunn, Director
This recap format ensures new audiences are not overwhelmed by ongoing events, keeping the stories straightforward while allowing deeper threads for those following the entire slate.
Upcoming Premieres and Impact on the DCU
The upcoming Superman film is set to release on July 11, 2025. Peacemaker Season 2, already completed, will premiere shortly after on August 21, 2025, and the team has also wrapped production on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. James Gunn assured that all three entries can be watched independently, but also form part of the larger DCU story for those who wish to track every development.
Gunn’s comments suggest a flexible viewing experience as the DCU expands, easing the barrier for both new and returning viewers, while still allowing those invested in the overall narrative to connect the larger themes and events across seasons and film projects.
