The Marvel v DC battle is always up for a Round 2 but after months of talk surrounding how it’s not a competition between the two juggernauts, James Gunn has himself stepped into the ring for a bout. As the franchise gets increasingly more well-defined by the day, the projects that now constitute Chapter One of the DC cinematic universe have become somewhat of a dysfunctional family banding together to manifest a bigger vision on the screen.
And James Gunn, ever the proud father of his creation, has commented how his vision for the DC of tomorrow is more planned out than the MCU of yesteryears.
Fans React to James Gunn’s Claims About the DCU Plans
When the existing mantle of DC was taken down and a new one rose from the ashes like a true phoenix, the fans had a lot to say on the matter. But mostly, the online rage was wrapped in disappointment over the previous management and a lack of information about what comes next. Rarely had anyone considered how James Gunn, the “Kevin Feige” of DCU, would take his moniker a little too seriously and plan out the DCU in phases, or chapters in this case.
This “Chapter”, commissioned by David Zaslav and structured in the image of the already-established Marvel Cinematic Universe, was penned by James Gunn – a certified comic book intellectual with a quirky imagination of his own – in under 3 months. As such, DCU taking an example from the pioneer of its own field, i.e. Marvel’s comic book movie franchise, doesn’t need much comparison when it comes to plans.
I'm glad @JamesGunn got a team of writers to help him map the universe and it's all planned out in advance. He said it's more planned out than the MCU and he would know because he's a part of that team as well. Made me a lot more confident about the DCU slate and where it's going
— Daniel Richtman #BlackLivesMatter (@DanielRPK) February 2, 2023
Where the latter began with a completely clean slate and had a vision that stretched beyond a decade into the future, the DCU has only structured itself and navigated Marvel’s example. The leveling of a comparison, saying DC is better planned out than the MCU has thus become a cause for contention and criticism among people.
DCU always had the potential to be better than MCU because of the character resource but still they couldn't. Now they have, it good but execution is as well. MCU has nailed all of it and more. DCU has huge task ahead to be in same league as MCU. I am hopeful and excited.
— रणबंका (@Ripudaman_Sinh) February 2, 2023
sorry but I don't think this DCU thing would work. I mean because of the various iterations of the characters there will be more division in the fandom— comparing each characters. It's more like DC vs DC that DCU vs. MCU if that makes sense
— Marvel Boy (@RandomDude1026) February 2, 2023
There is zero chance its more mapped out than where the mcu is today, maybe when it first was starting but today no
— josh valentine (@jjv124) February 2, 2023
Well MCU is fumbling a bit now and DCU can't get any worse (i hope) so I guess it should get better?! But comparing DCU to MCU at any point is ridiculous. They guy hasn't had anything release under him yet and the whole partial reboot is ridiculous.
— Jon’s Honest Takes (@jonshonesttakes) February 2, 2023
Yeah ironman was hit or miss situation but after the success they planned out well.. And now they already planned out for next 10 years.. Marvel already 15+ years ahead of other franchise
— Random guy (@yuvarajyuvi05) February 3, 2023
Lol ya ight. Marvel already is the rest of the decade planned out. Dc can’t even plan out their first couple years right in a way that makes sense.
— Leon King (@Leon_king70) February 2, 2023
While some have outright dissed the creator for flinging such a careless comparison, others have pointed out that Gunn might have meant that his DCU, in its origin, is more planned out than the MCU of 2008. Even then, the comparison is not a very strong one and it doesn’t hold up when it is put to the test.
Is James Gunn’s DCU More Planned Out Than the MCU?
For starters, the DCU Chapter 1, titled Gods and Monsters, showcases a variety of characters scattered all over the place that do not navigate a chronological arc (re: a 25-year-old Superman who’s just starting out in the world and a Batman who’s already on his way to the fourth Robin). Moreover, while the MCU began with a world-building narrative then culminated in the formation of the Avengers, the DCU currently looks more like a culmination of a fever dream that is too good to pass up on and yet a bit all over the place.
On the other hand, there is an order to Gunn’s madness. His DCU slate is wrapped up in a division of films that serve to explore the franchise’s most important characters – Superman: Legacy, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, and The Authority. And on the side, Gunn serves up an equally delectable platter of HBO Max shows – Creature Commandos, Waller, Booster Gold, Paradise Lost, and Lanterns – that will tie in with the broader universe somewhere down the line.
James Gunn has also promised his audience that the franchise will be more creatively inspired than ever. With each project individually separate from the rest, the external producers’ interference will not be an issue with the current management. Writers and directors will have complete freedom to paint their vision on the big screens.
Gunn’s first project, Superman: Legacy, premieres on July 11, 2025.
Source: Twitter
