James Gunn is synonymous with superhero movies, having directed many films centered around characters with extraordinary abilities. Despite his strong connection to the genre, there are several superhero projects that James Gunn nearly directed but ultimately passed on. These projects never moved beyond early development stages, either due to studio decisions or Gunn’s own choices. Understanding these near-misses offers insight into the paths his career might have taken and highlights the influential films he came close to leading.
James Gunn’s Almost Silver Surfer Film
After the release of a 2015 Silver Surfer comic, James Gunn revealed he was offered the chance to direct a Silver Surfer movie shortly after relocating to Los Angeles in 1999. A Fox executive, impressed by Gunn’s script for The Specials, believed Gunn was ideal to helm a cosmic-focused Silver Surfer story. This would have focused on the character turning against Galactus independently, without featuring the Fantastic Four.
This proposal intended to center on Silver Surfer alone, which was a bold concept given the Fantastic Four’s limited cinematic presence at the time. Only the 1994 Roger Corman-produced Fantastic Four film existed, and it had not received an official release, making the superhero team relatively unknown to non-comic audiences. Because of this, the project would have predominantly appealed to existing fans and viewers of animated series.
Gunn eventually chose not to pursue the Silver Surfer project, opting instead to work on a Spy Vs. Spy film, which was also offered to him by director Jay Roach and producer Shauna Robertson. Unfortunately, neither project progressed past pre-production. However, Gunn’s Spy Vs. Spy script garnered positive reception, opening up further opportunities for him in the industry.
Plastic Man: An Overlooked Opportunity
James Gunn once discussed plans involving the character Plastic Man during the early 2000s while filming Scooby-Doo. Matthew Lillard, who portrayed Shaggy in Scooby-Doo, mentioned the discussion publicly, and Gunn confirmed meeting with Warner Bros.’ president about a potential Plastic Man film.
Plastic Man is a unique superhero who infused humor into action comics early on. Created by Jack Cole, the character was a prominent figure in the Police Comics series, published initially by Quality Comics before DC acquired the rights. The character even inspired Marvel’s Mister Fantastic, as acknowledged by Stan Lee in interviews compiled by Jeff McLaughlin.
Despite its potential, the Plastic Man movie never moved forward, likely because Warner Bros. hesitated to invest in a lesser-known hero. Plastic Man continues to appear in various DC animated shows such as Teen Titans Go! To the Movies and Injustice. Given Gunn’s preference for obscure superheroes, a live-action adaptation within the DC Universe could still be possible in the future.
James Gunn’s Interest in Thunderbolts
Before Jake Schreier directed Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts, James Gunn had expressed interest in leading the film. Prior to Guardians of the Galaxy’s release, Gunn told ScreenRant that he spoke with Kevin Feige about directing a movie focused on a group of misfit superheroes. Feige reportedly promised Gunn creative freedom if Guardians performed well.
Gunn’s attraction to team-based superhero stories is well known, given his work with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Suicide Squad, and Creature Commandos. His preference for ensemble casts over solo heroes aligns with the Thunderbolts’ concept. However, Marvel delayed introducing the Thunderbolts to the cinematic universe until Gunn had already transitioned to directing a comparable team for DC.
Despite missing the chance to direct Thunderbolts, Gunn is content with the outcome. Answering fan questions on Instagram, he noted,
“The Suicide Squad scratched that itch for me.”
—James Gunn
Potential Drax and Mantis Spin-off
In 2021, actor Dave Bautista revealed that James Gunn was interested in creating a film centered on Drax and Mantis following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Though the concept generated excitement, Marvel Studios never announced any continuation, suggesting the idea was shelved. The characters later appeared together in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
Drax the Destroyer is one of the MCU’s most popular and humorous figures, which naturally attracted Gunn due to his appreciation for comedy in storytelling. Bautista has a close working relationship with Gunn and even defended him during controversies surrounding Gunn’s past tweets.
While Bautista indicated he has concluded his role as Drax, he did not rule out playing another superhero in the future. Given his rapport with Gunn, it remains possible the actor could join Gunn’s projects within the DC Universe.
Warner Bros.’ Batman Offer and Timing Challenges
In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, James Gunn disclosed that Warner Bros. invited him to direct a Batman movie during the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He revealed that the primary obstacle was timing, stating,
“If they had come to me in 2018 with Batman, I would’ve said yes.”
—James Gunn
Gunn regards Batman as his favorite DC character, even more than Superman. The Caped Crusader’s surprise cameo in the Creature Commandos series further highlighted Gunn’s admiration for Bruce Wayne. Had the offer arrived earlier, Gunn might have left Marvel to direct a Batman film.
What remains unclear is where such a Batman film would have sat in the existing DC Extended Universe. Questions linger about whether the project would have starred Ben Affleck’s version or evolved into the film later directed by Matt Reeves.
The Fate of The Suicide Squad Sequel
Following The Suicide Squad‘s significant success, James Gunn confirmed his intention to create a follow-up, describing it as potentially “madder” than the first. However, in 2022, Gunn shifted his focus toward television, particularly after positive experiences developing Peacemaker.
In 2023, Gunn announced there would be no Suicide Squad sequel. His increasingly demanding schedule, including duties as co-chair of DC Studios, influenced this decision. Gunn’s ideas for the sequel have likely been integrated into the Peacemaker television show scripts, ensuring the continuation of some story elements and characters on the small screen.
Though James Gunn nearly directed several superhero movies, each decision shaped the trajectory of his career and the superhero film landscape. These near projects reveal his wide interests—from cosmic antiheroes to unexpected comedic leads—and affirm his significant influence on both Marvel and DC properties. Moving forward, Gunn’s role at DC Studios and ongoing television projects suggest he will continue to impact the genre from behind the scenes.
