Superman star David Corenswet believes James Gunn’s approach to the DCU is the best plan possible. Due out on July 11, Superman is a new dawn for the DC universe. This is really the first test of James Gunn’s vision; an experienced director who was heavily involved with the MCU, he’s now attempting to refine the shared universe strategy for 2025.
Speaking to ScreenRant at a set visit (also attended by other members of the press), Corenswet stressed that he knows nothing of Gunn’s plans – but that he’s got good reason to be optimistic.
I mean, [I know] essentially nothing. Essentially just that he means it when he says that no plan is better than the quality of the scripts and the directors who he and Peter have to do them. I don’t know very much about the comic book fandom, and the idea of getting a timeline announcement. I know very little about that. But I know it’s a thing, and I know that, for better or for worse, they will compromise a timeline rather than compromise a film. They want to make good movies and good television shows, and they want them to be worth watching, and worth rewatching.
If people knew what goes into getting a movie together and making a movie, they’d understand that if you stick too closely to the plan, you’re going to end up compromising on the things that are actually important, and the things that keep people coming back to the theater and get people wanting to show their kids the movies that they saw. So that’s the guiding light for him and Peter (Safran) moving forward.
There are some things coming up, but that’s the main principle and that’s a good person to be working for.
What David Corenswet’s DC Universe Comments Mean
James Gunn Is Focused On Quality
James Gunn’s focus doesn’t appear to lie on interconnectivity; rather, his focus is on the quality of each individual upcoming DCU movie and TV show. There was a time when the average superhero movie could be boosted by being part of a shred universe that viewers were committed to, but those days are gone. Now, quality is king.
Corenswet’s comments are particularly interesting, though, in that they stress the flexibility Gunn wants in terms of overarching direction. When interconnectivity is high, every superhero movie needs to have specific scenes in order to best set up what follows; by letting every project stand a little more apart, Gunn allows filmmakers more leeway to make the best film they can.
Our Take On David Corenswet’s DC Universe Comments
It’s A Strong Strategy For The DCU
Gunn’s strategy seems like a smart one. The superhero genre has struggled in recent years, largely because there hasn’t been a consistent focus on quality; rather, there’s been a desperate attempt to release as much as possible. As Gunn noted, this whole approach has caused mᴀssive problems for Marvel and the MCU.
What’s more, we know Gunn really means it. Earlier this month, a DCU project was confirmed to have been killed simply because the screenplay wasn’t ready; Gunn insisted he couldn’t do a movie where he wasn’t confident in the script. No doubt there will be stumbles, but we can only hope that each DCU project raises the bar.
