James Gunn: Marvel Beat Disney's Stream Push

View 17 Images

Marvel's Current Challenges

James Gunn has clarified recent statements about Disney's impact on Marvel's output. The director, known for the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and now co-leading DC Studios, told Rolling Stone that Disney's streaming demands placed unfair pressure on Marvel Studios during Disney+'s launch – a strategy Disney CEO Bob Iger later acknowledged as overreaching.

Gunn emphasized his comments about Marvel being "killed" referred to temporary difficulties rather than permanent damage. "They were hampered by circumstances beyond their control during that period," he explained on Threads, noting Marvel has since stabilized as industry streaming demands have normalized.

The Changing Marvel Landscape

Post-Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has faced well-documented challenges with both box office performance (outside exceptions like Deadpool & Wolverine) and audience reception. While projects like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 succeeded, other releases have struggled to match earlier phase expectations.

Marvel has now significantly scaled back production, with only three films scheduled for 2025 and two for 2026. This reduced output reflects a strategic shift toward quality over quantity, with Disney leadership highlighting Thunderbolts* as exemplifying this new approach.

DC's Contrasting Strategy

Gunn noted Warner Bros. isn't imposing similar output demands on DC Studios, allowing more careful development. The rebooted DC Universe will launch with Superman this July, followed by Supergirl and Clayface in subsequent years, with each project receiving thorough script development before going into production.