James Gunn’s Bold Vision Makes the DC Universe Ideal for Showcasing Underrated Heroes

If you’ve watched superhero or comic book movies, you’ve probably heard of James Gunn. He’s nowadays known as the mind behind various films and shows from Marvel and DC. He is also the CEO of DC Studios alongside his longtime producer, Peter Safran.

Most projects Gunn becomes involved with end up as successes, thanks to his unique vision. Now, we’ll see it throughout the DC Universe, which he started some time ago. And would you believe it’ll also help showcase underrated heroes we don’t usually see?

Getting to Know James Gunn

Born in 1966, James Gunn began his film career in the 1990s as a screenwriter. The first movie he worked on was Tromeo and Juliet by Troma Entertainment. He eventually worked his way up to director with his breakout flick being 2006’s Slither. It wasn’t until the early 2010s that Gunn began working with the superhero genre. Then, in 2022, Warner Bros. promoted him to the position of co-CEO of DC Studios.

The first superhero movie Gunn directed was the 2010 dark comedy Super. He soon moved on to directing the Guardians of the Galaxy films for the MCU. And he did the same for 2021’s The Suicide Squad and the recent Superman flick. Gunn’s also created shows like Peacemaker and the adult animated series Creature Commandos. He’s even made cameos in other programs like Harley Quinn and Rick and Morty.

Giving Underrated Characters a Chance

James Gunn’s movies typically hit the mark due to his particular storytelling. He has this way of melding seriousness, humor, and emotion into masterpieces. However, another factor in the success of his superhero films is the characters he uses. Gunn tends to give his fictional stars personality, making them relatable and human. The best part is he does this with A-listers like Superman and often underrated individuals.

Speaking of which, Gunn’s usage of overlooked characters is another appealing quality within his films. He gives these heroes, villains, and/or whatever chances to shine in the spotlight. This trait is something we will likely see in his still recently established DC Universe. So far, it contains three entries – Creature Commandos, Superman, and the second season of Peacemaker. And future entries include movies centered on Supergirl, Clayface, and Swamp Thing.

Regardless, there’s still plenty of room in the DCU for typically underrated characters. Some of the top choices include Vixen, Deadman, and Ambush Bug. Fans are confident James Gunn’s trademark creativity would do unique heroes like them justice. In addition, their inclusion could mark a potentially positive change in DC’s filmmaking. But, in the end, it’s Gunn’s decision in what happens next in the DCU.

Final Thoughts

I’m not what you’d call a hardcore fan of James Gunn and his work. The only films of his I’ve seen are the Guardians of the Galaxy ones. But I’ve been meaning to watch The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos. Sadly, I haven’t seen the recent Superman movie despite hearing good things about it.

Still, he’s the best superhero film director I’ve seen hit the big screen. His ability to seamlessly mesh humor, action, and emotions is something to witness firsthand. And his movies feel like they came from someone who understands comic books. I’m eager to see what flicks and shows he decides to create in the future.