James Gunn says being a director and head of DC Studios is the kind of "madness" even Walt Disney wouldn't attempt, and he "originally said no to the job" because he "didn't want to do what Kevin Feige does"

James Gunn
(Image credit: Getty Images)

James Gunn has already made quite a splash as co-CEO of DC Studios as well as the director of its first hit, last summer's Superman (our pick for movie of the year). But according to the man himself, he almost didn't take the job - and he's not so sure that being both a key filmmaker and a studio executive can last forever.

"I don't think it's ever really been done. Even Walt Disney was more of a producer than a director. It's an experiment. And yes, sometimes it probably sounds like madness - especially since I don't make the most conventional films," Gunn tells Variety. "But I love big spectacle. That's my jam. I originally said no to the job. I didn't want to do what Kevin Feige does. But once [co-CEO Peter Safran] and I realized we'd be doing it together, it became exciting. I still don't know if it's sustainable long-term. It's a lot. There just aren't enough hours in the day."

George Marston

I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)

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