Is James Gunn single-handedly responsible for the post-Endgame Marvel slump? Accusations are flying, painting Gunn as a major influence behind Marvel's recent struggles, and these accusations come hot on the heels of reports that his DCU Superman movie underperformed at the box office (some are even calling it a financial 'bust,' see: https://cosmicbook.news/superman-box-office-loss-budget-break-even-dcu) and his Peacemaker and Creature Commandos shows didn't quite take off. But here's where it gets controversial...
Adding fuel to the fire, insiders are whispering that once Warner Bros. Discovery is sold, Gunn's reign as head of DC Studios might be over (https://cosmicbook.news/james-gunn-out-dcu-wbd-sale-reboot). This alleged pressure, some speculate, is why he's supposedly rushing to push out his personal projects, even allegedly ditching broader initiatives like "Gods and Monsters" in favor of his own pet project, the "Superman Family Saga."
So, how did we get here? Let's rewind a bit.
The argument being made is that Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, started steering the MCU in a direction that prioritized "the message" over pure, unadulterated entertainment. Sound familiar to DC fans? That's the same course Gunn has charted at DC, allegedly (https://cosmicbook.news/james-gunn-peacemaker-mocks-jesus). And this approach, critics argue, proved to be a recipe for disaster at Marvel. And this is the part most people miss... it's not just about 'the message' but how it's delivered and if it resonates with the core audience.
YouTuber Grace Randolph claims that Gunn, even before fully transitioning to DC, was actively giving Feige and Marvel recommendations on which creatives to hire. A prime example she points to is Peyton Reed taking over the Ant-Man franchise from Edgar Wright. Reed went on to direct all three Ant-Man movies, culminating in Quantumania, which performed so poorly that Marvel reportedly considered drastic measures, including allegedly exploring bringing back Robert Downey Jr. in what some called a desperate "Hail Mary" attempt to revive the MCU.
From Seasoned Pros to Untested Talent?
Randolph elaborates on this point, stating, "James Gunn, before he left Marvel, was recommending a lot of talent, right? And a lot of that recent talent has really led Marvel down the wrong path. A path that oddly DC is now going on." This is where it gets interesting.
She further suggests that Marvel's early success was built on hiring established, experienced professionals. "In the early days of Marvel, they were hiring more professional people, right? People who were more established. But then when Gunn came in, they started taking risks on like quirkier, lower-down people.” This raises a fundamental question: is there a correlation between the experience level of directors and the success of superhero films?
While Randolph doesn't explicitly name other creatives Gunn may have influenced, it's worth considering Taika Waititi's initial success with Thor: Ragnarok, a film that undeniably embraced a similar comedic tone to Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy. However, Waititi's follow-up, Thor: Love and Thunder, was met with considerable criticism and underperformed, suggesting that replicating a formula doesn't guarantee success.
The Growing List of MCU Underperformers
The list of MCU projects that haven't lived up to expectations is growing. Cate Shortland's Black Widow, Chloé Zhao's Eternals, and Nia DaCosta's The Marvels all faced either financial disappointment or critical panning.
This trend extended to Disney+ series as well, with She-Hulk (Jessica Gao), Ms. Marvel (Bisha K. Ali), and Secret Invasion (Kyle Bradstreet, later Brian Tucker and Ali Selim) receiving mixed to negative reviews.
This tweet summarizes the sentiment:
Did Grace just realize on air what we’ve known forever. That James Gunn “notes” are and have been the downfall of CBM for DC and MCU .
He recommended Zach Levi and “gave notes” to last DC ….. um GEORGE CLOONEY.
He also was Walter Hamada secret weapon aka giving notes pic.twitter.com/Q517nA5LuF (https://twitter.com/mokoloco88/status/1977838362204795166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Marvel Cosmic Fans Claimed They Saw It Coming
The irony isn't lost on some that the very person who breathed new life into Marvel's cosmic corner with Guardians of the Galaxy—a franchise that arguably helped pave the way for the MCU's broader expansion—is now being blamed for its alleged decline. It's argued that Gunn not only steered Marvel off course but is potentially repeating the same mistakes at DC.
With increasing pressure at Warner Bros. Discovery, the era of Gunn's seemingly unchecked creative power at both studios might be drawing to a close. But the big question is: is it fair to place the blame solely, or even primarily, on one person? And what lessons can be learned from this apparent shift in the superhero landscape? Do you agree with the assessment that Gunn's influence has been detrimental, or is there more to the story? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
