Even the most passionate Marvel enthusiasts would admit that at times, keeping up with the extensive lineup of content can feel like a bit of a chore. James Gunn, however, has plans to steer clear of that with the new era of the DC Universe.
For years, DC struggled to unify its films into a cohesive universe. But change is on the horizon. Next week marks a significant milestone as we prepare for the release of “Creature Commandos,” the first project to launch under Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios. While this debut sparks excitement, it also stirs lingering questions from the old DCU. In a recent chat with Collider, ahead of the “Creature Commandos” premiere, Gunn shed light on what’s considered canon and shared his thoughts on the necessity of watching every single film in a cinematic universe.
When questioned about whether “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” are part of the new DCU canon, Gunn provided some clarity. He explained, “Peacemaker is straightforward. Season 1 remains canon, except for the Justice League appearance at the end, which will be addressed in Season 2. ‘Suicide Squad,’ on the other hand, is a bit more flexible.”
He elaborated on the interconnectedness, mentioning, “We know Rick Flag Sr. is upset over Peacemaker killing his son, so it’s clear that incident is part of the past. This reference ties into ‘Creature Commandos’ and exists as canon because it’s mentioned there, not necessarily due to its depiction in ‘Suicide Squad.'”
Gunn also shared his enthusiasm for DC, telling Collider, “What excites me about DC is the world-building aspect, not just storytelling. I don’t view the DCU as a narrative spanning films and TV shows centered around a singular villain. As an audience member, I don’t want the burden of watching everything like homework. It’s more a connected universe, unified by the DCU, but its flavor will vary based on the creative minds behind each project.”
Having directed the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, with the third film closely tied to “Avengers: Endgame,” Gunn’s comments seem like a gentle jab at Marvel’s exhaustive viewing requirements, a criticism many fans might agree with.
Under Gunn’s leadership, DC Studios promises a diverse array of projects. The new DCU lineup includes films featuring iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Supergirl. Television shows such as “Creature Commandos,” “Peacemaker,” “Lanterns,” and “Booster Gold” are also on the slate. Additionally, Elseworlds projects like the sequel to “The Batman” and a unique cinematic blend of CGI, stop-motion, and live-action in the upcoming Robins film are in development. Gunn’s enthusiasm for variety in storytelling is undeniable.
