James Gunn’s transition from Marvel to DC has left fans stunned as the director’s past social media controversies came to light just before the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. These posts, which included offensive comments referencing pedophilia and the Holocaust, led to his dismissal from Disney in 2018. This dismissal triggered a chain of events culminating in the creation of the new DC Universe (DCU), with Gunn choosing to leave the Marvel brand behind for good.
Before joining Marvel Studios, Gunn had directed several films, but it was Guardians of the Galaxy that propelled him into mainstream fame. Despite his success, the resurfacing of controversial tweets placed his career in jeopardy as Guardians 3 approached. Warner Bros. capitalized on this opportunity, ultimately securing Gunn to spearhead DC’s cinematic efforts.
Though Disney reinstated Gunn as director for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after an eight-month hiatus, by then Gunn had already begun paving the way for his role at Warner Bros. His final Marvel film premiered in 2023, after which he embarked on launching the DCU, which recently debuted its first installment starring David Corenswet as Superman.
Understanding the Circumstances Behind Gunn’s Marvel Exit
James Gunn, now co-CEO of DC Studios and former Marvel director, has shared insights on why he parted ways with Marvel and never returned to the studio following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Central to this decision were the controversies stemming from his old tweets, which Disney deemed unacceptable in 2018.
At that time, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn publicly explained the move, emphasizing the studio’s values around the posts discovered on Gunn’s Twitter account. Horn stated,
“The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible…[They are] inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him.”
The firing sparked significant backlash from Gunn’s fans, the cast of his films, and various media personalities who supported the director. Speaking on the podcast Happy, Sad, Confused in July 2025, Gunn reflected on the fallout, expressing the deep personal impact he experienced at that time,
“100% thought it was over. 100% thought it was totally done. 100% was like, ‘I gotta think about what I am going to do next.’ And 100% thought I might have to sell my house and figure out how I can conserve the money that I had made so far to last for the rest of my life…When that happened, I felt like everything in my life had been taken from me at one time, but, in that moment, all of a sudden all these people loved me in a moment when I thought my career was over, and I felt loved for the first time in my life.”
This wave of public support ultimately persuaded Disney to reinstate Gunn as the director for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in March 2019, though by then Warner Bros. had already entered the picture with new opportunities for him.
Warner Bros. Seizes an Opening: How DC Lured Gunn Away
During the months after his firing, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige actively advocated for Gunn’s return, but his efforts were initially unsuccessful. Gunn recalls the difficult meetings with Disney leadership, including Alan Horn. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Toby Emmerich personally reached out to Gunn, opening doors to fresh creative projects.
He described the moment, saying,
“It was the worst, because… So Kevin [Feige] was fighting for my job back. I went and I met with Alan Horn, a guy I loved to death. It wasn’t happening. I left. Toby Emmerick from Warner Bros., at the time, came to me.”
Emmerich first suggested Gunn take on a Superman reboot, a proposal Gunn was initially unsure about. However, the conversation shifted when Emmerich then pitched the idea of rebooting The Suicide Squad, which Gunn enthusiastically developed and pitched successfully.
Gunn recounted,
“He’s like, ‘James Gunn Superman. James Gunn Superman.’ I said, ‘I don’t know, man.’ And then he was like, ‘Well, what about Suicide Squad?’ And so, I came up with an idea. I went and pitched it. They were like, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ There’s no joke. I went home, and I got a phone call, and it was Alan Horn and he said, ‘James, I wonder if you could come in and see me tomorrow.’
Taking on The Suicide Squad created some scheduling conflicts, delaying the Guardians 3 production. After agreeing to direct the Suicide Squad sequel, Gunn spoke to Feige about his plans, and the Marvel chief was supportive.
As Gunn remembered,
“I have to do something else first.’ And… Oh my God, I didn’t remember this ’till right now… And Kevin goes, ‘Are you doing Superman?’ I forgot about that ’till just this moment. I said, ‘No, no, I’m gonna do a Suicide Squad sequel.’ And he said, ‘Whoa.’ He was like, ‘Okay.’ He’s like, ‘It’s fine. It’s fine. Go do it. And then we’ll do Guardians [Vol. 3] after.’
Gunn’s direction of The Suicide Squad in 2021 received critical acclaim and strong support from Warner Bros. executives. His success with the film, combined with Warner Bros.’ ambitions for revitalizing their DC franchise, led to Gunn being appointed co-CEO of DC Studios alongside producer Peter Safran. This major career move marked the beginning of a new chapter focused solely on the blue brand.
Final Marvel Effort Before Embracing DC’s Vision
Despite his growing responsibilities at DC, Gunn honored his commitment to Marvel by completing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which premiered in theaters in May 2023. However, with his new role at DC Studios already established by late 2022, Gunn was fully invested in steering Warner Bros.’ cinematic universe forward.
His work at DC has since launched the studio’s latest attempt to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The new DCU has kicked off with the debut of the Superman film starring David Corenswet, signaling a new era for the franchise under Gunn’s leadership. With both creative control and executive authority, he now shapes the vision and direction of the studio’s most ambitious projects.
This transition represents a significant shift in the superhero movie landscape, as Gunn’s unique storytelling and leadership style continue to influence the competitive dynamics between Marvel and DC. For fans and industry observers alike, his journey from Marvel to DC underscores the impact of personal challenges, resilience, and strategic choices within the high-stakes film industry.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, James Gunn lost his job with Marvel because some old, offensive tweets came to light. These tweets included jokes about serious topics like pedophilia, rape, and abuse, causing the public to react strongly.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu was the inspiration behind the CGI-animated Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman remake. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has stated that prayer remains significant for him. However, he has also described himself as being “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic home and has shared that prayer is still a significant part of his life. However, he has also expressed that he is, in some ways, against organized religion.
