Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed admiration for filmmaker James Gunn and questioned why he wasn’t entrusted with overseeing the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Zaslav’s remarks came during MoffettNathanson’s inaugural Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, where he emphasized the importance of effective leadership.
Referring to Gunn’s success with Guardians of the Galaxy for Marvel, Zaslav commended the director’s talent and extensive knowledge of comic book characters. Zaslav stated (via The Wrap), “Why isn’t this guy running Marvel? He grew up with DC, Marvel characters are his family. He just wrote Superman, which I read. This is the guy we want and everybody wants to work with him.”
During the press tour for Guardians of the Galaxy 3, James Gunn revealed that he was extensively involved in consulting on “all the Marvel movies,” providing notes on scripts for films like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Captain Marvel. According to The Wrap, Gunn characterized these contributions was something he did “really as a friend… somebody who was a part of the team and a team player.”
Following his time at Marvel, Gunn transitioned to DC Studios as co-CEO alongside Peter Safran. They aim to revitalize DC’s cinematic universe with a 10-year plan, including a new Superman film currently in casting.
Zaslav has expressed confidence in Gunn and Safran’s plans for the DC universe. He revealed that they have greenlit several projects, marking an “underutilized” asset in the company.
The upcoming projects represent a unified approach to DC movies and shows, distinct from previous standalone films and disconnected universes. Zaslav emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering quality content and their philosophy of “no content before it’s time.”
The slate of projects, known as Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, will introduce viewers to a comprehensive and interconnected DC universe. This marks a departure from previous attempts, such as the Zack Snyder-steered series of DC films and Christopher Nolan’s self-contained Batman trilogy.
As Warner Bros. Discovery reshapes the DC cinematic landscape, Zaslav expressed optimism for the future. He conveyed his belief in the upcoming films and the talent behind them, reflecting the company’s commitment to “compelling storytelling.”
