James Gunn Shares Hilarious Story of Being Mistaken for Zack Snyder
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Marvel may have started the shared cinematic universe trend, but DC quickly followed with the DCEU. Under the leadership of Zack Snyder, an experienced director in comic book adaptations, the DCEU had a solid start. However, poor decisions, a string of weak films, and internal issues made it clear the franchise was struggling.
After Snyder’s departure, the DCEU limped along until James Gunn and Peter Safran stepped in. Rather than trying to salvage its shaky foundation, they decided to start fresh with the DCU.
Now, the DCEU is history as Gunn and Safran focus on building a new, promising universe that could rival Marvel’s dominance when it officially kicks off next year. Still, as you’ll see in this report, the “ghosts” of the DCEU haven’t fully faded away!
In a recent conversation with Josh Horowitz, James Gunn shared several fascinating insights. As we’ve already covered some key highlights from this interview, we’re excited to bring you another story—this time with a lighter, more entertaining twist compared to the more official updates we’ve discussed earlier.
One particularly amusing detail we discovered from the interview was this:
James Gunn was mistaken for Zack Snyder at the premiere for 'SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY.'
— Agents of Fandom (@AgentsFandom) December 5, 2024
(via: @joshuahorowitz | https://t.co/ZRJuMwPI0m) pic.twitter.com/chnvJqraBM
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a 2024 documentary about the late Christopher Reeve. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024, followed by a limited theatrical release through Fathom Events in the U.S. on September 21 and 25.
The film saw a wide release across North America on October 11. While it’s unclear if the mix-up happened during the official Sundance premiere or a smaller local event, it’s certainly an amusing moment.
Although James Gunn and Zack Snyder look nothing alike, the confusion might stem from the fact that both have been at the helm of DC’s cinematic universe.
Snyder initially led the DCEU, aiming to create a darker, more intricate world reflective of his filmmaking style. While some of his movies were well-received, various missteps and a personal tragedy during the production of Justice League led to the unraveling of Snyder’s vision for the franchise.
The DCEU struggled on for a while, but its decline was evident. After James Gunn directed The Suicide Squad, he was soon offered the role of leading a revamped cinematic universe, now known as the DCU. And the rest is—or soon will be—history.
While Snyder undeniably left his mark on comic book movie history, Gunn is charting a new path for DC. This mix-up serves as a lighthearted reminder of how the past often shapes the future, occasionally leading to amusing moments like this one.
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