“The whole town turned down the job”: WB Begged Joker Director Todd Phillips to Become DCU Head Before James Gunn and Peter Safran Agreed

todd phillips james gunn peter safran dc
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Todd Phillips’ Joker became one of the best-crafted DC movies of all time and that was perhaps why he was Warner Bros. Discovery’s first choice as CEO for DC Films. The DC Universe is still setting up under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Every change that it has been undergoing and every new step that it has been taking might slowly and steadily be pushing away from the fans while still somehow going forward in terms of formulating a proper construct for the story.

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James Gunn is rumored to not have a say in canceling Wonder Woman 3.
James Gunn

The franchise has been seeing a lot of change recently with the departure of Henry Cavill, and the cancellation of Wonder Woman 3. Few movies have also been separated from the franchise, yet there has been confirmation of both The Batman and Joker having sequels apart from the DCU, however, still fall under DC Films.

Also Read: “I’d pick my own movie”: Green Arrow Star Stephen Amell Wants to Become DCU’s Emerald Archer Under James Gunn After Frustrating CW Series Ending

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DC Universe Was Almost Lead By Todd Phillips Rather Than James Gunn And Peter Safran

Apparently, James Gunn and Peter Safran were not David Zaslav’s first choice when it came to picking the new CEO for DC Studios now known as DC Films. The two, however, had been helping Zaslav find someone compatible for the job. This was posing to be difficult as everyone they approached was seemingly unwilling to take up the job. One of their top options had been Todd Phillips, the director of Joker, a movie and its sequel with Lady Gaga that will now not be a part of the franchise yet continue on its own accord.

Todd Phillips
Todd Phillips

He too said no to taking up the offer and then the decision was made for Gunn and Safran to step into their current positions as co-CEOs of DC Films. The two have since then been working non-stop to build a franchise that gives out not only successful projects, but also projects that the fans dearly want.

Also Read: Following Relentless Amber Heard Reshoots, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Budget Overshoots To Become Most Expensive DC Sequel, 5th Most Expensive DC Film

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People Did Not Believe That James Gunn Would Be Fit To Takeover As CEO

There had been many people within the franchise who did not think that James Gunn would be ideal to take over and lead the DC Universe, let alone take up a spot similar to that of his previous boss, Kevin Feige.

James Gunn
James Gunn

“Gunn has never run anything. I wonder if big filmmakers will work for another director with zero experience guiding movies through a huge grinder of a system. He’s not Kevin Feige.”

So far almost every step that has been taken by him has been strongly disapproved by the audience. Although he has already started working on a Superman movie that would focus on a younger version of the character, post his origin, and would be written by Gunn himself.

Also Read: “There’s just not too many good third ones”: James Gunn Wants Guardians of the Galaxy to Repeat Lord of the Rings Success, Aims MCU’s Best Trilogy Spot Beating Spider-Man

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Source: New York Post

Adya Godboley

Written by Adya Godboley

Articles Published: 1412

An avid writer fluent in everything Marvel, Adya Godboley is an Assistant Content Lead for FandomWire. She has rich experience in critically analyzing all that is said in between the lines. Hopelessly obsessed with Greek Mythology, she is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English. Adya has written over 1300 articles on various topics expressing her passion and love for all things entertainment.