James Gunn has been in the news for different reasons ever since he took up the mantle of DC head in November 2022. The Guardians of the Galaxy director has not always found favor with DC fans though in his effort to give the franchise a complete facelift. His shocking decision to oust Henry Cavill as Superman was criticized from all corners with audiences disagreeing with his ideology. But Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran have firmly maintained that these decisions have been made to take the franchise to the next level. The director is once again in the line of fire, this time for allegedly propagating nepotism.
James Gunn was accused of favoring his wife Jennifer Holland
James Gunn married actor Jennifer Holland in 2022 after the couple courted for 7 years. During this period, they have worked together professionally several times before with Gunn having first cast Holland as ARGUS agent Harcourt for The Suicide Squad. She then returned to work with her husband in both Peacemaker and Black Adam. Holland appeared in several other projects including the 2019 superhero horror flick Brightburn which James Gunn produced with a screenplay written by his cousin Mark Gunn and brother Brian Gunn.
All these collaborations between the couple and their family members have generated talks of favoritism and nepotism among audiences. One fan blatantly pointed fingers at Gunn, saying,
“Stop putting your wife in every DC project”
These comments also stemmed from the fact that Jennifer Holland is rumored to have played a role in the upcoming DC film, Shazam 2 as well.
James Gunn hits back with a befitting reply
James Gunn’s tenure as DC head has already been eventful but not always in a positive way. The Peacemaker director has been called up for being the torchbearer of nepotism especially concerning his wife, actor Jennifer Holland. The filmmaker who has always stood by his decisions with confidence gave a blunt and firm reply to an accusing fan saying,
“The only DC movie I’ve ever cast my wife in was #TheSuicideSquad. I had nothing to do with the casting of any other movie – anything else was shot a year or so ago while I was deep in ‘Vol 3.’ But I know some of you are deeply in need of reasons to hate.”
It is clear from James Gunn’s comments that he was influential in the casting of his wife in just one DC film and wasn’t involved in any capacity in the others. Despite many fans expressing their anger at Holland still being considered for roles in the DC franchise while Henry Cavill has been given the boot, it looks like James Gunn will stand firmly by his decisions.
Source: Twitter
