James Gunn is gearing up for the release of his much-awaited superhero flick, Superman. Amid this, fans have been curious about the director’s journey from Marvel Studios to DC. So, why did James Gunn leave Marvel and join DC?
Here is everything you need to know about Gunn’s exit from Marvel.
Why did James Gunn leave Marvel?
James Gunn was removed from Marvel after past offensive tweets resurfaced.
In 2018, the director came under public scrutiny when several of his old tweets went viral. These tweets included jokes about rape, pedophilia, and abuse. One tweet read, “I like when little boys touch me in my silly place.” Another stated, “The best thing about being raped is when you’re done being raped and it’s like ‘whew this feels great, not being raped!’”
Although Gunn had previously deleted the tweets, screenshots were widely shared online, prompting a wave of backlash. In response, Walt Disney Studios fired Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and ended his contract. The studio chairman stated to ABC, “The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him.”
Gunn acknowledged his past behavior and issued a public apology on X (formerly Twitter), stating the tweets were “failed attempts at edgy humor” and that he had grown as a person since then.
Supporters rallied for his reinstatement, including the Guardians of the Galaxy cast, who signed an open letter in his favor. Dave Bautista threatened to quit the film without Gunn, and Chris Pratt criticized the studio’s choice. Eventually, Disney rehired Gunn, and Vol. 3 became a box office success.
Meanwhile, after his firing, Warner Bros. offered Gunn the opportunity to direct any DC film. He chose The Suicide Squad, which received critical acclaim. In 2022, Gunn and producer Peter Safran were named co-CEOs of DC Studios. His upcoming film, Superman, will release in theaters on July 11, 2025.
