James Gunn Explains How His DCU Will Differ From the Marvel Cinematic Universe

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has explained how his revamped DCU won’t just be a clone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even comparing it to Game of Thrones in one respect.

Speaking on the Inside of You podcast, Gunn said the DCU will lean more into the fantasy setting of traditional comic books and keep secret identities as a major component.

“If you look at the MCU, there are very few traditional superheroes,” Gunn said. “There was never a guy with a secret identity until Spider-Man in the MCU. Their Cap was turned into a soldier even though he wears a mask. Iron Man outed himself at the end of the first Iron Man because they don’t want to deal with the whole secret identity stuff.

“But there is a bit more of a fantasy element to the DCU, because there are these larger-than-life superheroes and for me, there’s Superman and Clark Kent. They’re two different characters, and you have to find a way to deal with them that’s as grounded as possible within this world of DC.”

“There is a bit more of a fantasy element to the DCU, because there are these larger-than-life superheroes and for me, there’s Superman and Clark Kent.”

Marvel kept up the secret identity schtick for, spoilers for the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy ahead, barely two movies before Peter Parker was revealed as Spidey, but it sounds like this will be an ongoing struggle for Superman and DC’s other superheroes.

Gunn said the DCU will embrace DC’s fantastical world as well, not treading on the MCU’s heavy use of New York City, San Francisco, and other real life locations.

“One of the things that I love about DC, that excites me about DC, is that in a way it’s another alternate history,” he said. “It is Gotham City and Metropolis and Star City and Bludhaven, and all these different places in this other reality, and it makes it a little bit like Westeros in some ways.

“I love it in that way. I love that we get to create true worldbuilding in DC, it isn’t just ‘we’re throwing some superheroes on Earth.’ I think right now, that’s one of the key differences.”

Gunn and fellow co-CEO Peter Safran finally unveiled their DCU master plan in February, confirming which five films and shows would feature in Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.

Superman: Legacy, which will be written and directed by Gunn, kicks off the DCU and has already entered pre-production. It won’t be an origin story but will instead follow a young Superman as he works to balance his Kryptonian and Kansan heritage.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.