James Gunn has shared the intense pressure he experienced leading up to the release of his Superman film, which has quickly approached $400 million at the global box office and earned an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This strong reception signals a major comeback for the Man of Steel and highlights the significance of Gunn’s role in shaping DC Studios’ future.
Creative Process Served as a Refuge Amid Pressure
During a discussion on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gunn described how he manages stress during filmmaking. He explained that while working—whether writing or directing—he finds relief and enjoyment, which helps him avoid feeling overwhelmed at that moment. However, outside of those creative periods, the pressure mounted considerably due to the film’s importance. He stated,
“I have a strange way of approaching work. When I’m working, when I’m filming or writing, I really don’t feel pressure- I’m having fun, that’s my relief valve. That’s a relieving time for me. But then outside of that, yeah, I felt a lot of pressure. I mean, there was a lot riding on this.”
Responsibility to the Team Was a Major Source of Pressure
Gunn emphasized that his stress stemmed primarily from his commitment to the film’s many collaborators. He felt accountable not just for box office results but for everyone involved in the project—department heads, actors, and producer Peter Safran—who had all invested deeply in the movie. Gunn expressed his concern about letting down those who believed wholeheartedly in the film’s success, saying,
“When I feel pressure, the first pressure is from all the people that worked on this movie- the department heads and the actors that believe in it so much and Peter Safran, they all believed in this project so much. From the beginning, everyone was just wholeheartedly, 100% in and if it comes out and it’s crap, that just sucks.”
Superman’s Success Influences the Wider DC Universe Projects
The stakes did not end with the Superman movie alone. Gunn highlighted how the performance of this film would affect other ongoing DC projects helmed by his colleagues, including Craig Gillespie’s work on Supergirl, as well as efforts by Chris, Damon, Tom, and James on titles such as Lanterns and Clayface. He noted that the positive outcome of Superman has strengthened these projects rather than hindered them:
“Also, we have Craig Gillespie working on Supergirl, Chris, Damon and Tom working on Lanterns, and James with Clayface so there’s all these other people, working on these other projects that could have been bolstered or hampered by this movie- and thank God, they’ve all been bolstered by it.”
The Film’s Impact on DC Studios’ Future
The successful reception of Superman marks a pivotal moment for DC Studios, officially launching the cinematic vision that Gunn has planned for the franchise. The film’s revival of the iconic superhero sets an optimistic and energetic tone for upcoming stories within the reimagined DC Universe, promising further growth and excitement for fans and creators alike.
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. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. Gunn teamed up with Marvel Studios to create the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Later, he became co-CEO at DC Studios in 2022. Before this role, Gunn directed “The Suicide Squad” in 2021 for DC. He worked on that project after Marvel briefly fired him before returning for “Guardians of the Galaxy 3.”
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation features a CGI-animated Krypto the Superdog inspired by Ozu. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and acknowledges that prayer is still significant to him, although he sometimes describes himself as “anti-religion” in certain aspects.
