James Gunn Says the New DCU Isn’t About One Long Story, It’s About Building a Universe — GeekTyrant

James Gunn’s Superman might kick off a new era for DC Studios, but don’t expect it to operate like a domino in a long, interconnected chain. Despite featuring iconic characters like Green Lantern’s Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl, the film isn’t weighed down by future setups or endless teases for what’s next.

GamesRadar+ sat down with Gunn in London ahead of Superman’s July 11 release, and the director made it clear that the DCU isn’t about forcing every story into one giant puzzle.

“In terms of the DCU in general, I want the movies and the TV shows to be mostly self-contained. I don’t want everything to have to lean on each other. I don’t think of this so much as one long story where everybody has to take in every little piece.

“I think of this as creating a universe, and then people are able to jump in and tell little pieces of the story from all around that universe.”

That’s a notable departure from the interconnected model popularized by Marvel Studios. Gunn isn’t interested in homework-based viewing where every installment is required reading. Instead, he’s building a sandbox where creators can tell their own stories within a shared, but not tethered, world.

Still, some projects will connect, just not all.

“There will be some connected stories throughout the time. In fact, Peacemaker season 2 is very connected to Superman. But it doesn’t need to be that way, and I want people to be able to enjoy any specific piece of entertainment by itself.”

Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult taking on Lex Luthor, Superman serves as the first major theatrical step into Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. But it’s not just a springboard, it’s a story with its own voice, rhythm, and destination.

So yes, Superman introduces a bigger DC world, but it’s not a trailer for future movies. It’s a complete experience. And that might be the most refreshing thing about it.