With Superman’s latest film debuting in theaters, James Gunn remains actively engaged in cinema beyond the DC universe. The filmmaker expressed his admiration for Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One, an Academy Award-winning kaiju movie, and extended a personal invitation to Yamazaki to visit DC Studios. This gesture hints at a potential collaboration or exchange between the iconic monster genre and the DC Cinematic Universe in the future.
A Conversation Celebrating Cinematic Spectacle and Storytelling
During a discussion ahead of Superman’s release, Gunn openly shared his appreciation for Godzilla Minus One while speaking with its director, Takashi Yamazaki. Gunn highlighted the film’s authentic love for the Godzilla legacy and its human-centered storytelling. He remarked,
“I’m a big fan of Godzilla Minus One, it’s such a beautiful film. I think that seeing movie makers who are able to make spectacle films like that, that are true to the nature of what a Godzilla movie is. It’s not making fun of Godzilla movies, it truly loves them and it has that human element to it, it’s about people and human beings, first and foremost. It’s one of my favorite movies of the past few years so thank you.” —James Gunn, Director
James Gunn on the Artistic Value of Godzilla Minus One
Gunn further elaborated on why Godzilla Minus One stands out for him within the current film landscape. He praised the movie’s revolutionary approach, contrasting it against industry trends where commercial films often lack heartfelt passion. Gunn emphasized the importance of creators’ genuine care in their projects, saying,
“I think that Godzilla Minus One is so beautiful, it’s so many things. It’s a revolutionary film. One of the things I’m troubled by in the film industry is that people make what is considered ‘artsy movies’ that are good and people make commercial movies with popular characters and they’re just shoveled out there. The filmmakers don’t seem to create them with love so the first thing I look for in these movies is there a creator behind this film that is doing it with love? Do they care about the money themselves?” —James Gunn, Director
Extending a Warm Welcome to Takashi Yamazaki at DC Studios
Concluding their exchange, Gunn invited Yamazaki to visit DC Studios himself, offering a personal tour which includes showing the original Superman costume housed in his office. This invitation signifies an openness to creative collaboration and cross-pollination between the worlds of superhero and kaiju cinema. Gunn said,
“Please come to DC Studios. We’ll make sure to figure something out, you can come by and see DC Studios and I’ll show you the original Superman costume that is in my office!” —James Gunn, Director
The Possibility of Future Crossovers and Fan Enthusiasm
Although a cinematic crossover between Superman and Godzilla seems unlikely at this stage, fans can enjoy such hypothetical battles in the comics. The Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong comic series previously explored an epic clash between DC heroes and the legendary monsters of Toho. A sequel to that series is underway, expanding this unique universe intersection, much to the delight of Godzilla fans and superhero enthusiasts alike.
With James Gunn continuing to champion creative storytelling and inviting visionary directors like Takashi Yamazaki into dialogue, the future of DC Studios looks energized by fresh ideas and powerful cinematic legacies. Following developments around the Last Son of Krypton alongside the King of the Monsters promises exciting creative possibilities in the years ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer is still significant to him. However, he also considers himself “somewhat anti-religion.”
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. Once Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he committed fully to that brand. This meant he stopped working on Marvel Studios projects. Gunn, who wrote and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy films, was well-known for his strong connections with the actors in those movies.
