James Gunn leading the charge of DC Studios may have potentially opened the doors for a DCU-MCU crossover. The Superman: Legacy director believes the possibility of characters from DC & Marvel crossing paths in a live-action has been discussed and though it’s many years away from materializing – comic book movie fans are divided since some feel it would oversaturate the superhero genre.
It’s been a decade-long journey for James Gunn at Marvel Studios and it comes to an end with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Though prior to taking the helms of the final film featuring the current Guardians, the filmmaker’s success over at Warner Bros. Pictures’ DC film The Suicide Squad had already led up to questions of a DC-Marvel crossover. In fact, Kevin Feige also had a cryptic response, “Never say never.”
James Gunn has been working round the clock for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s May release. While speaking to Empire promoting the Marvel Studios flick, the director was quizzed if the two production companies could work together to bring both their superhero characters to the big screens in one medium. “I’m certain that’s more likely now that I’m in charge [at DC],” said Gunn.
“Who knows? That’s many years away, though,” Gunn added. “I think we have to establish what we’re doing [at DC] first. I would be lying to say that we haven’t discussed it. But all discussions have been very, very light and fun.”
Gunn’s statement was echoed by many CBM fans as well since the DCU is just about to kick off a fresh chapter featuring a new adaptation of Superman and Batman in Gods and Monsters. Moreover, it is likely there would rather be a campaign from Snyderverse fans to see the DCEU chapter conclude as an Elseworld or in a multiverse arc before considering a collaboration with another superhero franchise. Readers can check out reactions below.
The Avengers vs The Justice League someday?https://t.co/Rk4riZBbG4
— Nick Field (@nick_field90) April 6, 2023
Just make an animated movie or series together. https://t.co/jOJmCFM0RN
— Jason Kane (Greatphase) (@GGeneralHolt8) April 7, 2023
Kevin Feige and James Gunn running Marvel and DC just to give us fans the greatest crossover movie pic.twitter.com/FwZ9vK9iN6
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) April 7, 2023
And this is why Issa good thing that Gunn hopped over. He bridged a gap that had unnecessarily been there for years. We are now closer to a Marvel/DC crossover than we’ve ever been. Only thing in the way is egos. Not saying it will happen, but it SHOULD. https://t.co/XTUxLt5I6H
— Good Job TASK 🍊 #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate (@UpToTASK) April 6, 2023
Oh I’d be seated for Bruce Wayne v. Tony Stark 🧍🏻♂️ https://t.co/SeGMCZeAwk
— jay (@hegoesbyjay) April 7, 2023
"Light and fun!!!"
All I want is to see the rest of the Justice League Vs Darkseid arc, with that tone. I don't care what else happens but I need that.#RestoreTheSnyderverse#ZackSnydersJusticeLeague2 https://t.co/NT9PMjN7tC
— Drü 🜃 (@drewexmachina) April 6, 2023
I need to start reading Marvel and DC crossover comics for upcoming crossover movie pic.twitter.com/FPvMBxqym8
— Benedictbrine (@Benedictbrine22) April 7, 2023
It's really sad that the DCEU never really had the opportunity to be its own thing, to be different than the MCU, and now it might be part of the competition. @wbd has to realize this would kill the DC brand because it seems that without Disney/Marvel it means nothing.🤷♀️ https://t.co/JuaSmHxKNY
— Jo Costello (@MaJoJovi) April 7, 2023
#Batman & #Catwoman. #Daredevil & #Elektra https://t.co/5n1pMwa0JH pic.twitter.com/7bohJn0hFJ
— Prime (@OptimistPrime99) April 7, 2023
Always thought ppl would love to see DC/Marvel crossover. Guess I'm the only one that wants to see it https://t.co/phJZAlS1VW
— MrFobBob (@DarthT88888888) April 7, 2023
Let him cook https://t.co/XgqqXufP46
— NCG Mariner (@NCG_Mariner) April 6, 2023
The ONLY way a Marvel and DC crossover would work is if they work together to stop a common enemy and there is zero infighting between the franchises. Obviously neither DC nor Marvel will want the other company’s character to defeat their own character.
Will never happen though. https://t.co/vxZH9Hnx6p
— Tyler Whitmore (@TylerCWhitmore) April 6, 2023
We had a chat with someone the other day about this happening , and we didn’t think it would actually come true.
DC is doomed.
James Gunn should not be in charge of DC films. https://t.co/ZsfEzgJUe1— The Batfleck Movie #MakeTheBatfleckMovie (@BatfleckMovie) April 6, 2023
Marvel and DC Come Together To The Biggest Crossover Ever pic.twitter.com/VP0gaB0lRS
— Diante Baker (@Boss8527) April 6, 2023
if DC Studios and Marvel Studios do go down the DCU-MCU crossover route, it is more likely to be a 10-year story collaboration along the lines of Amalgam comics rather than a one-off. There have been several crossover stories explored in the past like Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights, Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances and JLA/Avengers to name a few.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Disney potentially working together is not out of the realm of possibility since Kevin Feige managed to convince Sony Pictures to collaborate over the use of Spider-Man. The Mouse House also allowed referencing Star Wars in WB’s Ready Player One so perhaps Gunn and Peter Safran may succeed at developing a DCU-MCU crossover universe with Marvel Studios down the line.
Currently, all eyes are on the next Avengers movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe while it’s unclear when DC Studios would introduce its ensemble. It’s also possible Gunn’s DCU may introduce other organizations like The Terrifics, Justice Society, The Authority, etc before JL.
