The DC Extended Universe was filled with problems for almost a decade, with director Zack Snyder’s polarizing take on Superman, the less-than-promising box office receipts (outside James Wan’s Aquaman and Patty Jenkins’ first Wonder Woman film), and inner-turmoil controversies with Joss Whedon, Ezra Miller, and harassment from Snyder’s fanbase to studio executives, even after the Snyder cut Justice League was released.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Henry Cavill will not reprise his role as Superman in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s all-new DCEU, sparking a firestorm of criticism and causing the hashtag “#fireJamesGunn” to trend for nearly two days.
Gunn anticipated this and addressed his followers, as well as DC movie fans, on how he views the decisions made as challenging, but did what was best for the characters.
“One of the things Peter and I were aware of when we took the position as heads of DC Studios was a certain number of folks online who could be, well, raucous and unpleasant to say the least,” Gunn said on social media.
“Our decisions for the DC Universe are based on what we feel is best for the tale and the DC characters who have been around for 85 years.”
Gunn went on to explain how some of those decisions, such as recasting Superman for this universe and a future reboot, are made with honesty, sincerity, and the greatest story in mind.
He went on to say that no one appreciates being harassed, and that harsh remarks will not affect any decision.
“We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took the gig, and we knew we would have to make difficult and not-so-obvious choices, especially in the fractious nature of what came before us.”
Gunn emerged into the superhero scene with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and quickly became a big figure before briefly switching to DC when Marvel sacked the director after previous social media posts surfaced.
Gunn was later rehired by Marvel for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which will be released this year.
Gunn directed The Suicide Squad film, a light remake of 2016’s Suicide Squad, as well as the smash HBO Max programme Peacemaker, all of which received critical praise.
