James Gunn discusses unfinished screenplays impacting movie success as he prepares for the premiere of his highly anticipated Superman reboot, the first film in the updated DCU launching next month. As co-CEO of DC Studios and a filmmaker, Gunn has spoken about why audiences might be skipping major releases, pointing to the rush to produce films without complete scripts as a key reason.
Gunn Highlights the Industry’s Script Problems
Overseeing DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, James Gunn brings both creative and executive experience. Addressing the state of today’s film industry in a recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, he discussed how the pressure to quickly greenlight projects often means studios begin making movies before their screenplays are ready. Gunn believes this is a major factor in declining theater turnout.
“It’s not because of people not wanting to see movies. It’s not because of home screens getting so good. The number-one reason is because people are making movies without a finished screenplay,”
—James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios
Dropping Projects with Weak Scripts and Celebrating Good Ones
Gunn revealed that DC Studios recently canceled a project, even after it was fully approved for production, because the script did not meet his standards. He pointed to this as an example of his commitment to only advancing films with strong writing. He also praised several upcoming DC projects for their high-quality scripts, including Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. Gunn expressed satisfaction with the choices DC Studios has made, crediting either good fortune or wise decision-making.
“We just killed a project [at DC Studios]. Everybody wanted to make the movie. It was greenlit, ready to go. The screenplay wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t do a movie where the screenplay’s not good. And we’ve been really lucky so far, because ‘Supergirl’s’ script was so f***ing good off the bat. And then ‘Lanterns‘ came in, and the script was so f***ing good. ‘Clayface,’ same thing. So f***ing good. So we have these scripts that we’ve been really lucky with or wise in our choices or whatever the combination is.”
—James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios
Industry Practices and Their Consequences
The problem Gunn identified is widespread, especially with blockbuster studios like Disney securing release dates years in advance. This practice often pressures filmmakers to begin production before scripts are fully developed, underestimating how important a strong screenplay is for a film’s eventual success. While large franchises such as Marvel or Star Wars sometimes have more flexibility, many movies end up requiring prolonged and costly reshoots because of issues that could have been solved early in the script stage.
Audiences and Studios Clash Over Quality
Fans and industry observers are increasingly advocating for quality over quantity, urging producers and executives to prioritize well-developed stories. Despite this, some studios still invest in movies with weak scripts, hoping that special effects and reshoots will compensate for narrative flaws. Gunn and others argue, however, that audiences are quick to detect a lack of coherent storytelling, regardless of budget size or visual effects. This ongoing tension reflects broader debates about creative control and the business demands within the film industry.
The Future of DC Studios Under Gunn’s Direction
James Gunn’s stance places writing quality at the center of DC Studios’ upcoming projects, influencing decisions about what films move into production. His willingness to cancel a project favored by many, including executives and producers, illustrates a commitment to creative integrity. As the Superman reboot, Supergirl, Lanterns, and the Clayface solo movie come closer to release, the involvement of key figures like James Gunn, Peter Safran, and creative teams working with talents such as Tom Rhys Harries highlights DC’s focus on strong storytelling.
If Gunn’s approach proves successful in drawing audiences back to theaters, it may set a new standard not just for DC Studios but for other studios as well. The hope is that putting fully formed scripts first will help restore confidence among viewers and give new momentum to the theatrical experience, affecting future decisions by executives, producers, and moviemakers industry-wide.
