James Gunn and Peter Safran are all set to turn the DC Universe upside down with its upcoming rebranding. Starting in 2025, fans will see a very clear change in the superhero universe with Chapter One – Gods and Monsters as the new bosses prepare to create a more cohesive universe.
This cohesive universe will include a connected storyline among live-action films, TV shows, animation, and even video games. Now while all of this is exciting, DCU’s direct rival, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, might need to watch its back as James Gunn is planning to give DCU’s animated universe mainstream theatrical releases, which is a first for the studio.
Does James Gunn Finally Have the Upper Hand?
Marvel has released quite a few animated movies, including Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, Planet Hulk, The Invincible Iron Man, and more. However, Marvel’s animated universe has always been a few steps behind the DC Animated Universe. The DCU has always managed to overshadow Marvel when it comes to animation. Take a look at movies like Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Batman: The Long Halloween. You will without a doubt place DC’s animated films above Marvel’s.
Now, James Gunn is ready to take things to the next level as he plans on giving DCAU films mainstream theatrical releases. Replying to a fan on Threads who asked, “Can we expect theatrical animated projects for the universe in the future of nah?” Gunn replied with a simple, “Yes.”
It looks like Gunn is ready to give his ex-studio tough competition. The filmmaker is ready to bring out the big guns but we don’t know exactly when. ‘Gods and Monsters’ has a single DCAU project, Creature Commandos, but that is a TV show. It looks like fans will have to wait a while before Gunn finally puts his plan in motion. Regardless, we’ll be right here looking forward to it!
James Gunn on How to Decide Which Projects Will be Animated
Talking to DC.com, Gunn and Peter Safran gave a little insight into their brilliant minds on how they plan on deciding which upcoming projects will be animated and which won’t be. The answer is simple – it all depends on the story. Gunn elaborates,
“It depends on the story. We’re going to give every story what it deserves. Some things we know. Superman is definitely something we know we’d like to be PG-13 so I’m going to make sure it is. Other things, like the Waller TV show, are a bit more mature. And we have other things that are aimed a bit more at young women or at kids that are still within this world.”
Chiming in, Safran talks about animation stating,
“And in terms of animation, it’s sometimes just a fun way to introduce characters or introduce stories that would frankly be too expensive to be done otherwise.”
It looks like the upcoming years for the DCU are going to completely elevate the superhero universe, especially through animation. As Gunn and Safran plan on creating history during their tenure, Marvel might need to pull up its socks!
Source: Threads | James Gunn
