James Gunn prioritizes quality in DCU film development, confirming that “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” will follow “Superman” as the next movie, due to outstanding writing and creative direction. Gunn insists that even as DC Studios builds its shared universe, no story will move forward unless it meets his high standards for storytelling and production.
Emphasis on Quality Shapes the DCU’s Movie Order
James Gunn has restated his commitment to quality at DC Studios, emphasizing that every project must excel individually, regardless of DCU’s interconnected storylines. Gunn revealed he did not originally expect “Supergirl” to be the second DCU film, but a script by Ana Nogueira and the addition of director Craig Gillespie made it the standout choice.
“I didn’t necessarily know that Supergirl would be the second movie we were going to make, but Ana [Nogueira] wrote an incredible script, and then we hired an incredible director. We’re going to do this movie after Superman because he was the best option,”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
The film introduces Milly Alcock as Kara Danvers, better known as Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie. It draws inspiration from Tom King’s acclaimed comic miniseries, incorporating elements from King’s early drafts that were not included in the published version. One of these additions is the inclusion of Lobo, played by Jason Momoa. The plot revolves around Kara tracking a murderer across the galaxy.
Tough Decisions and Shelved Projects Underscore Quality Commitment
Gunn has demonstrated his dedication to high standards by shelving at least one DC project because the screenplay was not ready, even if the film was already approved for production. He explained that simply moving forward with a subpar script was not acceptable at DC Studios.
“Other movies have been written, but they haven’t been as good as this one. So we’re going to keep going with that. Everything has to be good. Quality comes first in every project we do. And that’s more important than telling a grandiose mega-narrative.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
Along with Peter Safran, his co-CEO at DC Studios, Gunn canceled a fully greenlit project because the writing did not meet expectations. He described how he had to make difficult choices to ensure only the best scripts move forward, even at the cost of production schedules and prior commitments.
“Everybody wanted to make the movie. It was greenlit, ready to go. The screenplay wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t do a movie where the screenplay’s not good.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
Upcoming Releases and Significance for the DCU
“Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” starring Milly Alcock and featuring important characters like Kara Danvers and Lobo, is set for theatrical release on June 26, 2026. Gunn’s approach has set a new standard for DC Studios, illustrating that strong individual films are the priority over rapidly expanding the overall universe. This renewed focus on thoughtful storytelling and creative integrity could influence trends across major superhero franchises.
As the next chapters unfold, industry observers and fans will be watching to see how Gunn’s commitment to quality shapes the development of future DCU projects, and whether this philosophy leads to box-office success and critical acclaim.
