James Gunn has opened up about his creative process for the new DC Universe, clarifying that the James Gunn DCU inspiration Game of Thrones has played a more significant role than anything from Marvel’s cinematic world. Gunn, widely known for his Marvel Studios work, detailed how he seeks to set the tone for DCU with influences outside traditional superhero templates.
Understanding the Contrasts Between Marvel and DC Approaches
While both Marvel and DC Comics are central pillars in the superhero genre, they employ distinct storytelling philosophies. DC characters often take on mythic proportions, portraying larger-than-life ideals such as hope, truth, and justice. These heroes are seen as near-divine figures, symbols intended to inspire humanity and embody grand aspirations.
Marvel heroes, conversely, remain grounded in their humanity. They are portrayed with everyday flaws and problems, managing issues like financial stress, prejudice, and complicated relationships. This focus allows audiences to connect with them on a more personal and emotional level, setting their stories apart from DC’s often aspirational tone.
James Gunn Charts a Unique Course for DCU
Despite finding acclaim through his contributions to Marvel, Gunn has made it clear that the Marvel Cinematic Universe did not serve as the blueprint for his vision of the DC Universe. Rather than following Marvel’s world-like approach—where superheroes coexist in cities akin to New York—he drew inspiration from epic franchises that venture beyond our familiar world.
Gunn referenced HBO’s Game of Thrones and Star Wars as significant influences on the structure and storytelling style he envisions for DC films. For example, the forthcoming Superman film is rumored to begin with a Star Wars-inspired opening crawl, signaling a departure from previous cinematic conventions.
Game of Thrones, not just the show but the books, is what we’re using as a reference for the DCU. The DCU is not the MCU. The MCU is kind of our world. It has New York, it has this city or that city, with superheroes in the middle. The DCU is a different universe. Slightly different, slightly transformed.
—James Gunn, Director and DC Studios Co-Head
At the same time, I also draw a lot of inspiration from Star Wars, Game of Thrones and other things that tell different stories within the same continuity. It’s not about telling just one story.
—James Gunn, Director and DC Studios Co-Head
Epic Storytelling Inspired by Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones became known for weaving intricate, separate plotlines throughout its series, rather than sticking to a single, unified narrative. Characters were scattered across various continents, each involved in unique conflicts, alliances, and personal goals. Individual story arcs progressed on their own, with some only intersecting with others after entire seasons had passed, leading to a wide-ranging and interconnected saga.
This method of storytelling is central to Gunn’s approach for the DCU. Like the branching storylines typical of comic books, each DC movie is expected to focus on the personal journey of a specific superhero while still belonging to a larger shared universe. Gunn’s direction suggests audiences can anticipate standalone films that exist independently but will gradually link up for major crossover events down the road.
The Path Forward for the DC Universe
Based on Gunn’s commentary and his references to Game of Thrones and Star Wars as touchstones, the DCU is poised to embrace a sprawling structure—prioritizing depth, complexity, and interlinked story threads over a singular, unwavering narrative arc. This new creative direction could offer audiences a fresh perspective, distinguishing DC’s cinematic universe from Marvel and potentially reshaping how superhero stories are told on the big screen in the coming years.
