James Gunn seems keen on a DC and Marvel crossover in his new DCU with Co-CEO Peter Safran. Now, it seems the director ofGuardians of the GalaxyandThe Suicide Squadhas a potential new plan to implement this strategy.Blue Beetleis supposedly the first DCU filmeven though it was created under the previous regime at Warner Bros. This is likely due toShazam 2bombing at the box office, so the new strategy may support the upcoming DCEU films better unless they prove to produce similar results. AssumingBlue Beetleis the first film of theDC Universe, it would fit nicely under what Gunn’s upcoming strategy may be, especially if his Marvel comments are any indignation since theBlue Beetletrailer tonally aligns with the MCU storytelling formula.RELATED:James Gunn Names The Guardians Of The Galaxy More Likely To Join His DC UniverseIn an interview withEmpire Magazineabout the upcomingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3and its IMAX marathon, it was asked if Marvel and DC could ever “share their biggest toys on the big screen." Gunn replied, “I’m certain that’s more likely now that I’m in charge [at DC]. Who knows? Just don’t expect anything on that front in the immediate future.” Gunn expanded on this sentiment by expressing that it’s “many years away,” and he thinks they “have to establish what they’re “doing [at DC] first,” but he “would be lying to say" that they “haven’t discussed it. But all discussions have been very, very, light and fun.”
Gunn’s comments on a Marvel crossover with DC reflect the divide in fans between those who praise theBlue Beetletrailer and those that criticize it for being tonally similar to the MCU. DC is not Marvel, and it should carve out its own path that directors such as Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder, and Matt Reeves tried and are trying to build. On the other hand,Marvel’s successful movie formulaaligns with what general audiences already like. Creating a cinematic universe that reflects that formula seems to be the business strategy that Gunn acknowledges, like the previous studio executives before him.
While the idea itself will surely take notice among the general audience, it may not instill confidence in what’s best for DC. Many crossovers should happen, likeWatchmen,Scooby-Doo,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and even theLooney Tunesfeaturing Batmite, before Marvel should enter the equation, if at all. The point is the DC Universe is rich and vast, and that to fans, it may be seen as nothing more than a trojan horse for any conversations involving a Marvel and DC crossover to take place, or even be considered, when its own universe hasn’t been established yet. Luckily, the idea seems to be in the distant future, but based on Gunn’s filmography and Warner Bros.' previous business strategy, it could be a sign of what’s to come for the DCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3premieres in theaters on June 29, 2025.
MORE:How Much Will DC Studios Copy Marvel’s Formula (And Should They)?
