Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
James Gunn Says DCU Stories Should Stand on Their Own
James Gunn defended the DC Universe’s approach to storytelling in posts on Threads, responding to criticism that its films are not building toward a major crossover.
He said the DCU can tell stories at different points and places in its fictional world, rather than requiring every project to follow one sequence.
Gunn says the universe is still connected: the Superman story continues from Superman into Man of Tomorrow and includes characters introduced elsewhere.
But he wants Clayface to work as a horror movie on its own, not merely as a lead-in to a later appearance by the character.
His comments address fans who have questioned the lack of a clear path toward a large team-up film.
Clayface opened at No.
1 in North America, earning $24 million from 3,458 theaters in its debut.
Gunn’s next film, Man of Tomorrow is due in theaters on July 9, 2027.
James Gunn said DCU films should work as individual stories rather than exist mainly to set up crossovers.
The DC Studios co-head said viewers can enter the alternate universe at different points and follow different stories.
Gunn said the Superman saga will connect projects and characters, but that does not make other stories mere setup.
He said he wants audiences to watch Clayface as a horror film in its own right.
- Who
- James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios.
- What
- He defended the DCU’s approach to interconnected stories and said individual films should stand on their own.
- When
- He made the comments on Threads on Saturday.
- Where
- On Threads.
- Why
- He was responding to criticism that DCU projects are not building toward a major crossover event.
Gunn and supporters of standalone DCU stories
Critics seeking larger DCU crossovers
Aspect
Gunn and supporters of standalone DCU stories
Gunn says individual stories should be meaningful on their own, not just set up future projects.
Critics seeking larger DCU crossovers
Critics say smaller stories should build toward bigger tie-in projects.
Aspect
Gunn and supporters of standalone DCU stories
Gunn says the DCU can have connections without every project serving a larger saga.
Critics seeking larger DCU crossovers
Some DCU watchers have complained that the franchise has not done enough to build toward major crossover events.
Clayface opened in theaters, according to IGN.
Gunn responded to a fan on Threads and defended the DCU’s approach to standalone stories.
- Latest DCU installment
- Clayface
- Clayface lead character
- Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries
- Clayface opening
- $24 million from 3,458 North American theaters
- Next Superman film
- Superman: Man of Tomorrow
- Man of Tomorrow release
- July 9, 2027
3 sources
James Gunn Claps Back At Critics Of Continuity In His DCU
James Gunn Defends the DC Universe, Says He Dislikes the Idea That ‘Individual Stories Aren’t Meaningful Unless They Lead to Something’
James Gunn Defends the DCU's Approach to Interconnected Stories, Doesn't Want Movies Like Clayface to Exist Just to 'Set Up' Crossovers
What people are saying
I dislike the idea that individual stories aren’t meaningful unless they lead to something else.
DCU is just an alternate universe; we can enter at any location or time and tell THAT story.
I would love people to be seeing ‘Clayface’ because it’s a great, fun horror movie unto itself, not because of where else Clayface will show up three movies from now.