In the battle between the DC and Marvel cinematic universes, there has long been a clear winner: Marvel. Marvel has, for one, established a consistent cinematic universe (its own term)—a universe that prides itself on humour, action and thrills that befits the comics. . DC, on the other hand? It features Zack Snyder, a director allergic to every color of the rainbow and then some.
But this week, DC made the best move they’ve ever made: handing over the keys to James Gunn. The Guardians of the Galaxy manager proved his action-comedy interests in House Marvel, and when it quickly fired him over some bad old tweets (trés classique), smart DC rushes in. Suicide Squad is an unrelated redux of 2016 was terrible Suicide Squad, and it’s not only a fun, entertaining, engaging viewing, but it does what DC needs to do all this time. It has created a multi-dimensional character world worth the investment.
Literally the night before the news of James Gunn’s joining Aquaman producer Peter Safran as the new head of DC Films, I talked about how he deserves the job. I still think about the tragic opening of Suicide Squad, afterall; less than 10 minutes in, Pete Davidson’s face was blown away. You’d think his character, Blackguard, would be one of the main characters of the movie, since he’s Pete Davidson and all. Instead, Gunn dismisses him in a hilarious, gruesome, utterly shocking way. So disgusting. It’s vicious. That’s exactly what we need more of in today’s action movies. (Sorry, Pete.)
Between Suicide Squad and its HBO Max spin-off People of Peace—Easily one of the best shows of 2022 — Gunn has done a better job of keeping me interested in DC for a year than any of his predecessors in the past 10 years.
DC has had some non-Gunn wins here and there, like $1 billion gross Aquaman and Patty Jenkins ‘was well received Wonder Woman. And it’s not like Snyder’s movies don’t make money; give as Man of Steel, Batman v Supermanand ‘s controversial OG cut Alliance justice Yes, everyone has seen them. People didn’t like them, but they saw them.
But for years, DC’s wan storytelling and poorly connected heroes haven’t been able to triumph over the mainstream – failing in all the areas where Marvel excels. It’s been said that DC’s most successful movies of the year-end are, critically speaking, the ones that subvert or fall outside of its expanded universe. Joker won two Oscars! Birds of prey is an exciting women’s Harley Quinn bike! Batman made the 30 year old Nirvana song “Something in the Way” hugely popular again! None of them have anything to do with the Snyderverse, and thank heavens for that.
Bringing someone to a Marvel experience is not only smart, it’s also important. Your enemy’s enemy is your friend, right? After Marvel removed James Gunn, it sowed the seeds of discord among the MCU fan community. Guardians of the Galaxy loved for its mix of comedic style and colorful visuals with a fun, never-before-seen cast of heroes. YES, the sequel is pretty badbut unlike other lousy Marvel movies, Episode 2 shared the goofy spirit of its predecessor, making it enjoyable if forgettable. And no one who has lived and breathed Marvel comics knows who Groot super tree of sentience was before 2014, and thanks to Gunn, every little kid now has a Groot doll and backpack.
For Marvel to push Gunn to the curb while in pre-production for Chap 3 Because tweeting mischievous jokes about pedophilia a few years back is an unpopular decision. Fans had to rally for Gunn’s recovery, along with cast’s commitment not to work with anyone else in the next part Guardians movies, for the studio to bring him back. So in the end everything went well, but it wasn’t a great look.
Gunn is the rare artist working in the superhero genre to be praised for his style. The polarization of Zack Snyder, dim lighting, likes slow motion, mid-2000s style is an acquired taste. Gunn’s camp-themed comedy, based on a career as a B-horror that pre-grossing his Marvel work, is a more pleasing aesthetic. That’s why Suicide Squad and People of Peace works so well: Their bloody, brutality tempered with a wink shows just how ridiculous it all is. Their humor is not copied or forced, but is based on character and fits very well with the over-the-top tone.
Peacemaker (John Cena) himself is the perfect embodiment of this aesthetic, a muscley anti-hero, without limits with a penchant for sexual jokes, metallic hair, and two brain cells. Very few directors can make a character like him likable; just look at Black Adam, DC’s newest entry into its main cinematic storyline. That movie is completely misguided, given its gritty dark vibe and thin connection to more popular DC heroes. But Gunn’s Peacemaker is just as empathetic as he is super strong (and silly). Fascinated by a fantastically diverse cast of eccentric characters, legit action thrillers and a story begging to be turned into a comic, People of Peace It’s one of the coolest superhero projects I’ve seen in years.
As DC moves forward with previously well-run projects Gunn takes over on November 1The question remains when and how his mark will appear. Black Adam ends with — spoiler alert! —a tease for Superman’s return. Superman actor Henry Cavill It has since been confirmed that a new Superman movie is in the works. But Snyder didn’t stick with that, giving Gunn and co. to enhance the current Superman image of the DC Universe. Out with the gritty, damned Clark Kent. Be with… a man in a cape and tights, and maybe have a little humor about how weird that is.
Giving Gunn full control of DC’s future is a hugely smart move for DC, especially since Warner Bros. Discovery faces heat from superhero fans for dropping a series of projects. Bat girlWill cancel in August left the studio without fans, along with other streaming-exclusive superhero shows and movies. The DC world needs to be reset, creatively and commercially. Gunn has a vision he’s proven himself to be – a vision that fans have popped up over and over again. It’s time to give DC lovers something to look forward to again, and James Gunn is the best he can deliver.
