James Gunn Denies Claim That Some Characters Are Too Niche

For over a year, excitement has been steadily growing surrounding the new DC Universe crafted by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Although the franchise, inspired by DC Comics, has yet to officially launch, that moment is on the horizon with the debut of Gunn’s animated spin-off series, Creature Commandos, set to premiere on December 5 on Max. However, Gunn is already facing criticism from some comic book enthusiasts and moviegoers while also addressing specific concerns.

The co-CEO of DC Studios recently responded to a fan on Threads who expressed unease about Gunn endorsing projects centered around lesser-known characters like Sgt. Rock and Swamp Thing. The fan claimed it appeared that the DC Universe was being created solely for dedicated comic fans rather than the broader audience. In his response, Gunn emphasized, “Don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner. That’s a project in development we’ve actually confirmed. He is a highly recognized character with some of the greatest comics in history, along with a successful film series and his own TV show—something true for only a handful of DC characters.”

Furthermore, Gunn defended his choice to forgo revisiting the origin stories of Batman and Superman, succinctly stating, “I’m not retelling Batman and Superman’s origins because everyone knows them.”

With a track record of bringing lesser-known comic characters to the forefront, Gunn achieved this notably in 2014 with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. DC Studios is currently working on multiple projects that aim to highlight less recognized comic book figures, including Creature Commandos, The Authority, Booster Gold, and the recently announced film directed by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Daniel Craig as Sgt. Rock.

It is important to note, however, that equally significant projects are in development at DC Studios featuring more iconic characters. These include Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, and Lanterns. Films focusing on the Teen Titans and popular villains like Bane and Deathstroke are also in the pipeline.

Considering all this, it appears that Gunn and Safran are committed to creating a diverse portfolio within the DC Universe, striving to balance both widely recognized and obscure characters. Only time will reveal if their strategy will resonate with audiences, but it’s hard to critique their approach before the release of any DCU films or shows.