DC Studios creative head and Co-CEO James Gunn responded to the growing negativity from DC fans regarding the choices being made for the future of their cinematic universe.
The new Co-CEO has made some controversial announcements and decisions. In return, DC fans have been vocal about their disapproval and disappointment. But it may have reached an extreme point, as James Gunn has referred to the reactions as "disrespectful outcry".
What did Gunn have to say about the effects the backlash has had? Read on for the details below.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn is noteworthy for being active in engaging with fans on Twitter, as the director on movies like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and DC’s The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker for HBO Max. He has continued to do so in his new leadership role with Warner Bros. Discovery (which he shares with Peter Safran).
However, fans reacted negatively to the news that Patty Jenkin's plans for Wonder Woman 3 were declined and the movie will not be moving forward. But the revelation that Henry Cavill would not be returning as Superman in this new DC Universe has resulted to some of the DC fans’ reactions taking a sharper tone.
We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig, & we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult & not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 19, 2022
The DC Studios Co-CEO has now responded to the massive pushback, reiterating that they are committed to revamping the superhero cinematic universe. Gunn opens with stating that the outcry is coming from the minority of fans:
One of the things Peter & I were aware of when we took the job as heads of DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well, uproarious & unkind, to say the least.
The DC Studios Co-CEO mentions that whether or not their decisions turn out to be correct or not, they are made with the story as the priority:
Perhaps these choices are great, perhaps not, but they are made with sincere hearts & integrity & always with the story in mind.
James Gunn would continue expounding that the vocal disagreement coming from fans would have little to no effect on their decisions for the DC Universe, moving forward:
But this means little to us in comparison to our jobs as artists & custodians in helping to create a wide & wonderful future for DC.
After James Gunn announced that Cavill was not returning after they met with the star, the filmmaker mentioned that he is writing the screenplay for the new Superman film. Gunn said that this will not be an origin story, and that it will focus on "an earlier part of Superman's life," which is why the role needed to be recast.
The director later added that he and Safran are "big fans" of Cavill and that they hope to "work together in the future" on a different project. Further details on the new Superman film, including a possible director, have not been revealed.
The news that Cavill is no longer going to wear the red cape came as a shock to fans, who most recently saw Cavill appear in an end-credits cameo for Black Adam. In the brief scene, Cavill’s Superman has a meeting with Dwayne Johnson's antihero after Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) declared that Kahndaq will be the latter's prison.
Henry Cavill later shared a video to Instagram in which he told fans he was "back" as the character and could expect more details in the future. After he made his Superman debut in 2013's Man of Steel, followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, expressed his enthusiasm for once again having the honor of portraying the Last Son of Krypton.
But after the DC Studios decision to move forward without him in the role, Cavill took to social media again and respectfully accepted the recasting plans:
The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.
For those who have been by my side through the years…..we can mourn for a bit, but then we must remember…. Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there!
But with the news that the cameos Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot filmed for The Flash have been cut, the negative reaction to James Gunn and Peter Safran's decisions may have only begun.
Henry Cavill’s next big project will be a series based on Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40K, which he will star in and executive produce for Amazon. Meanwhile, James Gunn's The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is currently available on Disney+.
