James Gunn is moving forward with his vision for the DC Universe (DCU) without involving Grant Morrison, the celebrated comic writer known for works like Final Crisis and All-Star Superman. Despite Morrison’s extensive and influential history with DC Comics, it has emerged that DC Studios did not offer him any role, not even for a television mini-series, as part of the new film franchise development. This marks a notable omission from the lineup of talent contributing to the evolving DC cinematic landscape.
Morrison’s Response to Missing Out on the James Gunn DCU Opportunity
During a recent Reddit Ask Me Anything session with /r/DCcomics, Morrison addressed fan questions about the current state of superhero media and his potential involvement in Gunn’s DCU. While acknowledging that some recent projects impressed him—he specifically cited the TV series Peacemaker and Marvel Studios’ Eyes of Wakanda—he expressed frustration about being excluded from any writing opportunities on the DCU.
“There’s a lot of great material, some not so great. I loved Peacemaker and [Marvel Studios’] Eyes of Wakanda,”
Grant Morrison, Writer
“Like fools, the DCU didn’t offer me anything to write!”
Grant Morrison, Writer
“Even though I’ve created and developed three seasons of television in the last ten years!”
Grant Morrison, Writer
“Imagine an Animal Man show! Or Seven Soldiers!”
Grant Morrison, Writer
Morrison hinted at the possibilities that have been missed, naming properties from his own DC work that could have translated well to television, such as Animal Man and Seven Soldiers. His long track record in both comics and television development underscores the surprising lack of offers from DC Studios.
The Disconnect Between Morrison’s Legacy and Current DCU Direction
Grant Morrison’s contributions to DC Comics are widely respected, with impactful runs on titles such as Animal Man Vol. 1, JLA Vol. 1, and creating Damian Wayne during his Batman Vol. 1 series. Despite that, the current DCU leadership under Gunn and Tom King appears to be charting a different course. Instead of involving Morrison directly, the studio is choosing to draw inspiration from his works indirectly, such as using All-Star Superman as a creative influence for their Superman depiction and incorporating Damian Wayne as the franchise’s Robin.
However, this indirect use of Morrison’s creations without offering him a formal role has raised eyebrows and fueled frustration among fans and industry observers. The decision gains more attention when considering the creative direction by DC leadership, which includes controversial narrative choices from other writers with less universally acclaimed reputations.
Some critics and fans have noted the puzzling exclusion of Morrison in favor of trajectories involving creators whose interpretations of core characters and storylines have sparked debate. For instance, claims that an unaltered Catwoman could outperform the entire Flash family, or portrayals of Supergirl as a distant, high-fantasy adventurer, reflect a shift away from the classic DC tone that Morrison helped shape. Additionally, the involvement of individuals with contentious political backgrounds in the DCU’s creative mix contributes to the unease surrounding its future.
Context on Morrison’s Previous DC and Television Work
Grant Morrison has previously infused his comic runs with meta-textual and surreal elements, including inserting himself as a godlike “Writer” figure within the story of Animal Man. This character manipulated reality within the narrative and appeared in other series like John Ostrander and Kim Yale’s Suicide Squad Vol. 1 #58. Morrison’s ability to blend television development experience with his expansive comic storytelling credentials makes his exclusion from the DCU even more striking.
The Future Possibility of Morrison Joining the DCU
While Morrison confirmed he currently has no major projects lined up with DC, he left the door open to future collaboration.
“no major projects planned at DC,”
Grant Morrison, Writer
“But that’s not to say I might not do something else there.”
Grant Morrison, Writer
This suggests that although he has been sidelined for now, Morrison could still play a role in shaping DC content down the line, possibly on his own terms or through different avenues. For now, however, James Gunn continues to build his DCU without the input of one of the company’s most influential writers.
Implications for the Development of the DC Cinematic Universe
The absence of Grant Morrison in James Gunn’s DCU initiative highlights wider tensions in how DC Studios is balancing legacy creators with new visions. By moving forward without one of its most venerated narrative architects, the DCU risks alienating longtime fans who value Morrison’s unique contributions. It also raises questions about how deeply the cinematic universe will engage with the rich storytelling traditions Morrison helped pioneer.
At the same time, using Morrison’s work as a reference point without involving him directly points to a strategic decision to modernize and perhaps streamline the DCU’s creative direction under Gunn and King. Whether this will result in a successful cinematic universe or generate fan dissatisfaction remains to be seen as new projects and series roll out in the coming years.
I'm Grant Morrison, writer of Batman/Deadpool! AMA!
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