James Gunn has clapped back at a fan criticising his expanding DC Universe. The filmmaker defended the creative choices behind the DCU’s projects, citing classic DC Comics stories.
One Threads user, @bkaisar, recently took a jab at Gunn’s DCU projects, arguing that the movies and shows within the franchise lack consistency in their thematic and aesthetic tones. The user shared the posters of Lanterns, Superman, Peacemaker, Supergirl, and Creature Commandos, and added the caption, “Just a reminder: this is all happening in the same DC Universe.”
Gunn responded by citing several original DC Comic books that feature vastly different thematic tones, adding, “Fancy that.” The filmmaker shared the covers of Batman #227, Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #98, Shade, the Changing Man #20, Booster Gold: Past Imperfect, Batman: The Killing Joke, and The New 52 Justice League.
Needless to say, fans backed Gunn’s response, with one fan, @jamaliglecomics, calling it a “Perfect answer!” Another fan, @jawadaddy, penned, “Tell ‘em, James.”
Meanwhile, many are speculating that the comic books Gunn chose to showcase could hint at future adaptations. One user, @j.c.202o, said, ‘If we get a live-action killing joke, I could die happy.” Another fan, @robwalkerii, asked Gunn, “Are you trying to tell us what we should be reading, Chief? ?.”
What comes next for the DCU after Lanterns?
With the recent release of Lanterns and Supergirl, James Gunn’s DC Universe is just getting started. The franchise has multiple projects lined up for future release.
The next DCU movie is Clayface, starring Tom Rhys Harries as the titular villain. It arrives in theaters on October 23, 2026. Additionally, David Corenswet will return as Clark Kent in Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, which hits the theater on July 9, 2027. Both movies will be part of DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
DCU will also feature more television series in addition to Lanterns, Creature Commandos, and Peacemaker. HBO Max has recently announced The People v. Gorilla Grodd, a mockumentary series starring Skyler Gisondo, who will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen from Superman (2025).
