The James Gunn-helmed Phase 1 of the DC Cinematic Universe is upon us, beginning with Gunn’s upcoming Superman film — and as it turns out, the filmmaker and studio head considers the project to be absolutely crucial to making the Gods and Monsters phase work as an overall storytelling experience.
“Oh, it is very important,” Gunn explained to Entertainment Weekly in an interview published on June 19. “I wouldn’t say [animated series] Creature Commandos is important, but Peacemaker and Superman are both pretty important in terms of getting to the bigger story.”
That said, the boss did note that it’s really about striking the right balance between giving audiences vital information and moments while also not alienating those who might be more casual fans — because after all, if you don’t shut them out completely, you might just hook them.
“At the same time, I am really trying to be careful that anybody can dip in and see the story that is up next and not feel like they’re missing information. The other stories can provide added texture to what you’re watching,” Gunn explained to the outlet. “That might change down the line as we get deeper into what’s happening in this universe. It could be like Infinity War and Endgame, where you kind of have to see Infinity War to know what’s going on in Endgame.”
He continued, “But right now, I’m trying to keep it so that you don’t have to see Superman to see Supergirl, for example. Even though there’s a lot of stuff in Superman that leads to Peacemaker, you certainly don’t need to see it to see Peacemaker. It’s just good if you have, but we also say ‘Previously in the DCU’ before every episode, so the TV stuff’s pretty easy.”
Gunn’s Superman film will arrive in theaters on July 8, but we’ll have to wait another month and change for season 2 of Peacemaker, which hits Max on August 21.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
