James Gunn's Hardest Movie to Make Confirmed

After directing five superhero films for both Marvel and DC, acclaimed comic book movie director James Gunn finally opens up about which one was the hardest for him to make. Despite facing various challenges with all of his superhero projects, the DC Studios head confirms that Superman was the most difficult for him.

In a recent interview with Variety, James Gunn opened up about his experience in the superhero genre, including the many struggles that come with adapting beloved characters with decades of comic book history. When asked which of his superhero films was hardest to make, Gunn confirmed that it was his most recent, the 2025 Superman reboot, while thoughtfully comparing the project to his previous comic book movies:

[Superman] was the hardest movie I’ve ever made. The next hardest was probably the first “Guardians.” With “Guardians,” you were building a corner of the universe that felt completely different from everything else Marvel was doing at the time. Here, I was reorienting something everyone already thinks they understand. Strangely, it’s the most comic-book-driven thing I’ve ever done. More than any of my other superhero films.

Gunn hits the nail right on the head while comparing his work for Marvel with the latest movie for DC. The Guardians of the Galaxy movies were challenging due to their unique nature within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe at the time. Gunn had little to go on in terms of previously established lore, but more creative freedom as a result. It also helped that the Guardians of the Galaxy were relatively unknown characters, about whom many fans didn't already have strong opinions. Superman, on the other hand, had to balance its fresh perspective with decades' worth of strong (and sometimes competing) expectations.

Gunn notes that "everyone already thinks they understand" the character of Superman. This is categorically true, and yet so many people differ in their understanding of the character. Many supported Zack Snyder's darker take on the character in Man of Steel, while others complained that this iteration didn't understand its main character. Now, the same debate persists, with many claiming that Superman works better as a darker character, while others rejoice that James Gunn finally brought him back to his roots.

The director also notes that Superman is the most "comic-book-driven thing" he's ever worked on. While the 2025 DCU film is far from his first production based on a comic book, this statement rings true. Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and even Peacemaker all borrow heavily from the comics, but go in their own directions over time. Superman did not have the same luxury, as it deals with a much better-known character about whom fans have endless opinions. Superman couldn't be just another superhero project with the "James Gunn flair," but rather had to be something more deeply rooted in comic book history.

Balancing comic book fans' expectations is a nearly impossible task, but it is something that James Gunn has done extraordinarily well ever since his first superhero movie outing. As a result, all of his projects for both Marvel and DC have been well-received by the majority of audiences and critics. As difficult as it may be to get this balance right, Gunn seems to have found the trick to keeping as many viewers happy as possible.

Is James Gunn the Greatest Superhero Movie Director of All Time?

Comic book movie fans have plenty of opinions about whom the greatest director of the genre might be. James Gunn absolutely belongs in the conversation after over a decade of contributions to the superhero genre. Even if he isn't the top choice, there is no debate that Gunn belongs to the "Mount Rushmore" of superhero movie directors.

Many directors have excelled in the superhero genre. Christopher Nolan delivered a nearly perfect trilogy with his Dark Knight films, which are still hailed as some of the greatest superhero movies ever made. The Russo Brothers excelled in this genre, perfecting the art of the superhero movie crossover with their Captain America and Avengers films. Sam Raimi, Zack Snyder, Matt Reeves, and Ryan Coogler have all created great superhero projects as well—and many other up-and-coming directors are already making themselves known in this space.

Gunn, however, has a record unlike any other superhero movie director. Not only is he responsible for some of the best superhero movies of all time, but his portfolio within the genre is far more diverse than any other director. Of all the acclaimed directors mentioned above, Gunn is the only one to direct projects for both film and television. In addition to his five films, Gunn is responsible for animated shows like Creature Commandos, live-action hit series like Peacemaker, and even a Special Presentation in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. All of these projects are critically acclaimed and popular with their respective fanbases, proving that Gunn has conquered every medium there is in the superhero genre: animation, live-action, television, and film.

Gunn is also the only one of these directors to ascend from the rank of filmmaker to studio executive. Now, his creative vision is exercised across an entire cinematic universe of superhero films. If the DCU ends up being as successful in the long run as it has been in its first year, even the most vehement detractors will have trouble denying that James Gunn is the greatest comic book movie director of all time. With projects like Man of Tomorrow on the horizon, the future is bright for Gunn's DCU.

Superman is now streaming on HBO Max.

Man of Tomorrow opens in theaters on July 9, 2027.