James Gunn on Game of Thrones inspiration is now taking center stage as the director and DC Studios head has detailed the creative direction for the upcoming DC Universe. Gunn recently discussed how the foundation for the DCU is influenced more by the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones and the A Song of Ice and Fire books than by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Game of Thrones as the Model for the DC Universe
In a recent interview with Omelete, James Gunn shared that the inspiration shaping the future of DC Studios mainly comes from HBO’s Game of Thrones and the novels behind the acclaimed show. This approach signals a distinct creative separation from the MCU, which traditionally grounds its stories in recognizable, real-world settings.
“Game of Thrones, not just the show but the books, is what we’re using as a reference for the DCU,”
said Gunn. Gunn emphasized that the DCU is intentionally set apart from the MCU’s version of reality.
“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.”
Other Influences Behind the New DCU
Beyond fantasy epics, Gunn highlighted his admiration for large interconnected franchises. He mentioned Star Wars as another inspiration, especially for how it successfully narrates multiple stories that exist within a shared universe.
“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,”
Gunn explained.
What’s Next for DC Studios and James Gunn
James Gunn will introduce his reimagined vision for the DCU when Superman, the flagship film of this new era, releases on July 11, 2025. This launch will mark the first step in realizing Gunn’s ambitions for a unified yet expansive DC world—one that, as he notes, will embrace the layered storytelling and complex universes found in some of television and literature’s biggest properties.
This fresh approach, rooted in influences from Game of Thrones and other large franchises, may signal significant creative shifts for beloved superheroes and the wider landscape of DC Studios in the years to come.
