James Gunn Ditches Prestige for Deeper Impact in Cinema

As the film industry gears up for another round of awards and red carpets, James Gunn has made it clear he’s not fussed about collecting trophies. The DC Studios chief, currently deep into work on the Superman follow-up, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, says his real aim is to craft stories that hit home emotionally for punters.

Gunn, never one to mince words, put it simply:

I don't care about prestige. I mean, sure, would it be cool to be nominated for Best Director or something? Yeah, would I rather have that than not? But it's not really my concern.

He reckons he’s always been drawn to making what he calls “pop cinema”—films that might not be highbrow, but pack a punch where it counts. Gunn added,

If I can have those things also be something that are emotionally resonant to people, or affect people in a deeper, more spiritual way, like a lot of people have told me that Superman did, a lot of people have told me that Guardians 3 did, then that's fantastic.

Pop Cinema Over Prestige

For Gunn, the real artistry lies in putting together big, crowd-pleasing blockbusters that still manage to move people. He’s not shy about his love for the spectacle and the challenge of assembling a film that works on multiple levels.

There's an artistry to it, the creative flow. But then I also like the part of it that's putting the big puzzle together and creating this machine that works for an audience to elicit a reaction from them, whether it's emotional, whether it's laughter, whether it's screaming, whether it's whatever it is. That's the fun part of it.

He admits he sometimes toys with ideas for smaller, indie projects, but at the end of the day, he’s keen on the big stuff. Gunn’s approach is less about impressing critics and more about making sure the audience walks away feeling something real.

Superman: A Tough Nut to Crack

Gunn didn’t hold back when talking about the challenges of his latest Superman outing. He called it the “hardest” film he’s ever tackled, mainly because he had to shake up a character everyone thinks they know inside out.

I was reorienting something everyone already thinks they understand. Strangely, it's the most comic book-driven thing I've ever done. More than any of my other superhero films.

The much-hyped Superman, which nabbed the title of film of the year for 2025, saw David Corenswet don the cape as the new Man of Steel, with Nicholas Hoult stepping in as Lex Luthor. Both are set to return for the next chapter, due to hit cinemas on 9 July 2027.

What’s Next for DC Fans

Before the next Superman lands, fans will get a look at Milly Alcock in Supergirl, scheduled for release on 26 June. There’s plenty more in the pipeline for DC, with a full slate of films and shows on the way, keeping superhero buffs well and truly sorted for the next few years.