David Ayer is standing up for James Gunn after a vile accusation by a DC fan that The Suicide Squad director has been casting his wife Jennifer Holland in every DCU project. The Fury filmmaker has been one of the few DCEU directors to throw his support for Gunn’s DC ever since his hiring at WBD. But Ayer Cut fans are hoping the DC Studios chief would also reciprocate by working towards the release of the director’s cut for 2016’s Suicide Squad.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Shazam! Fury of the Gods
The first DC Film to release under Gunn‘s supervision, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is unfortunately opening in theaters with a shaky start. With critics bashing it on Rotten Tomatoes, some fans have also shared harsh criticism of the DC Studios CEO for the inclusion of Emilia Harcourt in Shazam 2’s post-credits scene.
James Gunn has lately been targeted with nepotism accusations for not only hiring himself to helm Superman: Legacy but also over rumors that Peacemaker star Jennifer Holland, who happens to be the director’s wife – potentially playing a larger role in the DCU. Though Gunn has remained silent so far on Ben Affleck‘s dismissive comment regarding their plans for the franchise – he addressed a distasteful fan comment stating, “Stop putting your wife in every DC project.”
David Ayer faces backlash from some followers for supporting James Gunn
The DCU chief responded by clarifying that his only choice to cast “my wife in was The Suicide Squad” and said he had no part in her involvement in “any other movie” referring to Black Adam. The director was held up with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 during the decision-making process to include ARGUS agent. But ended his tweet by addressing the toxicity of some fans as just people “deeply in need of reasons to hate”.
The tweet attracted David Ayer’s attention who describe the toxic comment as “those who are committed to taking cheap shots from the Grassy Knoll”. Furthermore, he addressed Gunn’s DC Studios CEO role as the “hardest job in Hollywood”. Even so, Ayer confidently said “you’ll make it look easy and a little fun too.” James also responded back by saying, “You’re the best.”
The only DC movie I’ve ever cast my wife in was #TheSuicideSquad. I had nothing to do with the casting of any other movie – anything else was shot a year or so ago while I was deep in Vol 3. But I know some of you are deeply in need of reasons to hate. https://t.co/HSGO4DzYer
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 17, 2023
There are those who are committed to taking cheap shots from the Grassy Knoll. The high road of positivity and creation will always win. Right now you have the hardest job in Hollywood. And you’ll make it look easy 🙌🏼 and a little fun too 🙂 https://t.co/69Ko6F6Dud
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) March 17, 2023
No I just know how disturbing it is having people determined to slip the knife in. It’s called compassion. Guess what directing and producing are lonely isolating jobs with brutal responsibilities. If that’s bootlicking fine so be it. https://t.co/0zrQQVE86B
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) March 17, 2023
You’re the best.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 17, 2023
While some Ayer cut and Snyder stans were surprised to see the 2016’s Suicide Squad filmmaker speak highly of Gunn – the rest took comfort in seeing the two DC Film directors bond with each other.
The criticism surrounding Holland began with her cameo appearance as Harcourt in Black Adam. Eventually, the fandom presumed that live-action characters from The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker would get to transition to the new DCU which includes Gunn’s wife.
Holland’s appearance in Shazam 2 confirms this theory and from the looks of it, her prominence in Gods and Monsters may be on the lines of what Marvel’s Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) or Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) is to Nick Fury and the larger MCU. So far, Harcourt’s role in the Shazam 2 ending scene has received mixed reactions, as can be seen in the tweets below.
Way to spoil the post credit scene of shazam fucking moron https://t.co/2PeNtU2ZGr
— Ricky (@RickyLTB99) March 17, 2023
Shazam! Fury of the Gods Post credit scene pic.twitter.com/2ZXBLw26LN
— Hadrian Mationg (@JoFueYT) March 17, 2023
Absolutely horrendous that he would hire himself to direct this film. I don’t care that he’s writing the script. Self-nepotism at its finest.
It will make $700M worldwide & get positive reviews that claim it’s the greatest superhero movie since sliced bread.
Bookmark this.
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) March 15, 2023
That shazam post credit scene makes Antman look like a Scorsese joint pic.twitter.com/gZIXh9TPp4
— Jacemandaspaceman69 (@Jacemandaspace2) March 16, 2023
💫SPOILERS FOR SHAZAM 2💫
First of all, this scene is so terrible you can hear ONE single chuckle in an entire screening.
2nd, this is an embarrassment as a post credit scene and a pathetic plant of a storyline/characters from someone who's already planning to reboot the movie. https://t.co/VOkV5VbuWY
— •麦わらのマックス• ZSJL's Associate Producer (@SupesBatsy) March 16, 2023
Shazam 2 post credit scene… 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Rofl. Gunn tryna make his wife the Agent Colsen of DC movies. 🤣🤣🤣
I am sorry, but eff this shit. Zachary Levi has lost so much respect already coz of his stupid comments just to save his sorry ass in Gunns DCU. https://t.co/W0egn9d20E— Adnan-ul-Haq #HenryCavillMySuperman (@illusionere) March 16, 2023
Shazam has 2 post movie credit scenes. I was literally the only person left in the cinema to watch them. 🤡
Sampai abang TGV cakap tak ramai orang tau🥲
— Dr Nimelesh (@HausofHilton) March 16, 2023
#ShazamFuryOfTheGods is an MARVELized DC film.. It was filled with stupid jokes and comedy, Shazam family had no chemistry, boring villains and God awful humour.. 1st one is masterpiece in front of it.. 4/10 and yes @jamesGunn 's wife appears in a useless post credit scene. 👎 pic.twitter.com/r4qsPkwqP1
— Marwin Singh (@MarwinSingh) March 16, 2023
@JamesGunn why do you need to put your wife in every god damn DC projects you guys are holding DC hostage. No point of that shitty post credit scene in Shazam 2 I bet u directed that scene right? There's a limit of nepotism and you are crossing it.
— Sudipto Sanyal (@SudiptoSanyal) March 16, 2023
Nobody is hating @JamesGunn it’s just that nobody cares about your wife making a cameo in every DC movie. @ponysmasher didn’t call her up and say “ hey would you like to cameo in a post credit scene for Shazam 2?”
— Adrian Watson (@AdeezyAdrian) March 17, 2023
The scene in question shows Harcourt and John Economos (Steve Agee) meeting Shazam. Besides the Peacemaker actors popping up – Wonder Woman’s teasing encounter with Billy Batson has appeared in WB’s marketing materials for the movie.
Shazam 2 is currently in theaters
