Legacy’ Director James Gunn Calls Out Superhero Films Stuffed With Cameos

Do superhero movies have too many cameos? Superman: Legacy director James Gunn takes aim at the disturbing industry trend.

Ever since casting on Superman: Legacy began, fans have been accusing director James Gunn of stuffing the cast with dozens of heroes that aren’t necessary to the story in order to draw eyes to his brand new DC Universe. Gunn refuted this idea during a recent thread of social media posts, stating that the overuse of cameos was a scourge on the genre:

“I call that ‘Cameo Porn’ and it has been one of the worst elements of recent superhero films,” Gunn wrote on Threads in reference to the idea of characters appearing with no relevance to the plot. “If a character is in film, they have to have a reason to be there story-wise.”

“I don’t mind actual cameos – if it’s a glimpse or a moment, an Easter egg. What bothers me is when they mangle an elegant story by shoehorning characters in – they aren’t there because the story calls for it, but for some other reason.”

It’s certainly funny that James Gunn would rail so hard against this trend given he previously praised the quality of The Flash, which was infamous for its shoddily done cameos. Though it certainly seems Superman: Legacy will be taking a different approach with its characters, using them to flesh out the DC Universe instead of just getting people excited for nothing.

What to expect from Superman’s DC Universe debut

Set to begin production in March 2024, Superman: Legacy promises a fresh take on the iconic superhero saga, featuring David Corenswet stepping into the role of Superman, previously portrayed by Henry Cavill. Joining Corenswet in this new chapter of the Superman story is Rachel Brosnahan, who will bring to life the character of Lois Lane, the intrepid journalist and Superman’s love interest.

Superman: Legacy is a much-anticipated project, given that Clark Kent has been an integral part of the DC Universe for over 80 years, with various iterations and adaptations across different media. The movie promises to explore the character’s origins and his struggles to balance his dual identities as Clark and Superman while fighting off villains and saving the world. The choice to focus on the early years of his career is a bold move that could potentially breathe new life into the character and appeal to a younger generation of fans.

James Gunn and Peter Safran told journalists that their vision for the DC Universe includes locked scripts, wiggle room, and a unified storyline across film, television, animation, and video game projects. The two explained that the DC Universe could bring back elements from previous DC regimes, meaning that their eight-to-year plan is not a full reboot.

Superman: Legacy is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!