James Gunn dismisses superhero fatigue, citing mediocre movies as the issue; urges innovation to revitalize theaters.
James Gunn, the director behind Superman, shared his perspective on the current state of superhero films, arguing that the problem lies not in fans tiring of heroes but in the formula used repeatedly over the past decade. Speaking in an interview with GQ, Gunn said modern superhero movies can no longer depend on the same tactics that made earlier franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe so popular.
The DC Studios co-CEO stated,
“I don’t believe in superhero fatigue. I think there’s mediocre movie fatigue,”
emphasizing that the issue is with movie quality rather than the genre itself.
The Decline of Excitement Around Crossovers
Gunn elaborated that the excitement around crossover events and character team-ups, once a unique draw, has diminished. He pointed out that audiences no longer find novelty in merely seeing new character combinations on screen.
As he explained,
“If the only thing that we have to offer is one character showing up and seeing two characters together that we’ve never seen onscreen before — that was really exciting when it first happened [but] nobody cares anymore,”
highlighting the need for fresh storytelling approaches.
Why Audiences Still Crave Meaningful Cinema Experiences
The filmmaker stressed that superhero cinema isn’t suffering because audiences have lost interest in superheroes themselves. Instead, he argued the problem is a broader fatigue with uninspired movies across all genres failing to engage viewers.
Gunn remarked,
“This ‘concept’ of superhero fatigue in one way is real because there have been a lot of superhero movies that maybe haven’t been up to what they should have been,”
adding,
“You see the same thing happening across the board with movies in general — that people are not making the movies that need to bring people into the cinemas.”
He pointed to the success of the film Barbie as an example of how different ideas can still draw audiences to theaters. Gunn praised it by saying,
“That’s why something like ‘Barbie’ works so well. ‘Barbie’ did something differently than what other big movies like that did, and people went to the theater,”
and admitted,
“I wrote Margot [Robbie] the morning that came out. I said, ‘Thank you for helping to keep theaters alive.’ I saw Greta Gerwig the other day. I was like, ‘Thanks.’”
Filmmakers Taking Risks and Offering New Perspectives
Gunn recognized directors like Greta Gerwig and Matt Reeves for making big-budget films that stand apart by offering unique, soulful experiences that motivate viewers to return to theaters. Regarding Reeves, Gunn stated,
Image of: James Gunn
“He’s a filmmaker that makes big pop movies, but they have soul and they’re different,”
and noted,
“Whether you like his movies or not, that’s not the important thing. He is doing something different. Being able to see those chances being taken on a big canvas is important.”
The Future of Theater and the Need for Creative Risk-Taking
The Superman filmmaker expressed his desire for theaters to remain a vibrant part of cultural life, hoping future generations will experience cinema with the same magic he did.
He said plainly,
“I want the cinema-going experience to continue. I want my nephews and nieces and their children to be able to experience what I’ve been able to experience going to a theater and seeing the magic of cinema,”
continuing,
“I just think we need to take risks. It hasn’t been happening because people are so afraid of making a mistake. I think we should make a lot more mistakes.”
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 describes himself as “in some ways, against religion.”
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. Once Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he committed solely to that brand. This meant he stopped working on Marvel Studios projects. People know that, as the writer and director of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, he developed strong relationships with the movie’s stars.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in Manchester, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, and was raised in the Catholic faith. He has five brothers and sisters: Sean, who is an actor; Matt, who is both an actor and political writer; Brian, who is a screenwriter; as well as Patrick and Beth. Gunn’s family is Irish, with his father being from a family of Irish immigrants.
