James Gunn, co-CEO of DC and director, has revealed plans to broaden the scope of DC projects by developing superhero films set in Japan, Korea, Brazil, and India. While promoting his upcoming Superman movie, he disclosed that the DC Universe (DCU) is actively working on these international stories. The new Superman film, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, is scheduled for release on July 11, 2025.
Plans for an Indian Superhero and Global Filmmaking Partnerships
In an exclusive conversation with Rachel Brosnahan, James Gunn shared his vision for introducing an Indian superhero within the DCU. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with Indian filmmakers to bring authentic stories to the franchise. Gunn stated,
“I would love to see an Indian actor, but I would also love to have Indian filmmaking collaborators. We, at DC studios, think that there are heroes all over this world that we could focus on, and filmmakers from all over the world that can tell their stories within the DC universe.”
—James Gunn, DC co-CEO and director
He also confirmed ongoing projects in Korea, Japan, and Brazil, highlighting that these efforts have already begun and that involving Indian creatives would be a valuable next step. Gunn added,
“We’ve already got things started in Korea, Japan, and Brazil. So, it would be great to collaborate with some Indians,”
—James Gunn, DC co-CEO and director
Influence of Bollywood and Eastern Cinema on James Gunn’s Storytelling
James Gunn expressed his admiration for Bollywood and Eastern cinema, noting how these film industries inspire his approach to storytelling. He pointed out that these films embrace heart, drama, humor, and music as integral components, which enrich the narrative experience. Gunn mentioned,
“Bollywood films and the eastern cinema in general are the most important thing to me when I’m telling stories. The thing that those films give to me is that they aren’t afraid of making a movie that has heart, that has drama, but that’s also funny, there’s music, and all of those things are beautiful.”
—James Gunn, DC co-CEO and director
Significance of the Global Expansion for DC’s Future
By expanding DC projects to countries like Japan, Korea, Brazil, and India, James Gunn aims to diversify the DC Universe and showcase a wider variety of cultural perspectives through superhero stories. This global expansion is expected to bring fresh narratives and new heroes to the franchise, fostering international collaboration that could reshape the cinematic DC landscape. Fans can anticipate more inclusive storytelling as these projects progress, potentially leading to a more connected and rich DCU worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has talked about how prayer is still significant to him. However, he also describes himself as, “in some ways, against religion.”
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. When Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he committed solely to that company. This meant ending his involvement with Marvel Studios projects. He had built strong connections with the actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy series, where he wrote and directed the trilogy.
