James Gunn pushes back on critics who say the DCU isn't building

James Gunn has an answer for fans who want every DC movie to lead somewhere bigger. The DC Studios co-head went on Threads on Saturday to stand up for the DCU and its individual stories after critics argued the films are not heading toward a major crossover, Variety reported.

His point is simple: a story can be worth telling on its own. In his words, "I dislike the idea that individual stories aren't meaningful unless they lead to something else."

Key facts

• Gunn defended the DCU's standalone approach in a Threads post on Saturday.
• He called the DCU an alternate universe where the studio can drop in at any place or time and tell a story.
• He pointed to Star Wars, which he said has worked this way for 50 years.
• Clayface opened at No. 1 with $24 million from 3,458 North American theaters.
• Gunn's next film, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, opens July 9, 2027.

How the debate started

The exchange began with a list. A commenter named six recent DC projects, Superman, Peacemaker, Supergirl, Creature Commandos, Clayface and Lanterns, and asked what they were all building toward, Deadline reported.

Another user answered first. A Threads account called lostuslandcomics wrote that Gunn does not need to build toward anything if each piece works on its own, according to Deadline.

Gunn then laid out his view. He wrote that the DCU is simply an alternate universe where the studio can step in at any spot or moment and tell that story.

He used a famous comparison. Gunn said Star Wars has done the same thing for 50 years across films, series, games and books, though he admitted it lacked the same range of tone.

Connections still exist

Gunn did not say the films stand fully apart. He said there is still connectivity, noting that the Superman Saga carries on from Superman into Man of Tomorrow and brings in characters first seen in other stories.

He hopes audiences judge each film on its merits. Gunn said he would love for people to see Clayface as a fun horror movie that stands by itself, and not for where the character turns up three movies later.

Whether DC Studios plans a larger crossover event is not known.

Background

Gunn leads DC Studios together with Peter Safran, Deadline noted.

Clayface is the latest entry. It follows 2025's Superman and this year's Supergirl in the DCU, Variety reported. The Hollywood Reporter called it the third feature in the planned slate from Gunn and Safran, after Superman and Supergirl. Supergirl cost $170 million and ended with $126 million worldwide, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

James Watkins directed Clayface, which centers on Matt Hagen, a rising movie star played by Tom Rhys Harries who undergoes an experimental procedure after his face is disfigured. Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan also star.

How Clayface performed

The film got off to a strong start. Clayface opened in theaters Friday and earned $24 million from 3,458 North American theaters, landing at No. 1, Variety reported.

The film had a modest $44 million budget, and its domestic opening of about $24 million came in just below Warner Bros.' early projection of $25 million to $30 million, The Hollywood Reporter said.

It added $19 million from 76 international markets on its opening weekend. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore.

Clayface's worldwide box office total is not known.

What it means for you

For moviegoers, Gunn's message is that you do not need to track every link to enjoy a DC film. He wants Clayface seen as a horror movie that stands on its own.

For fans who do want links, the Superman Saga still connects Superman to Man of Tomorrow and draws in characters from other stories.

What happens next

Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Gunn's next film, reaches theaters July 9, 2027, Variety reported. That release continues the Superman Saga Gunn described.

FAQ

What did James Gunn say? That the DCU is an alternate universe where the studio can tell stories at any place or time.

Why did he post? A commenter asked what six recent DC projects were building toward.

Are DC films connected at all? Yes. Gunn said the Superman Saga links Superman and Man of Tomorrow.

How did Clayface open? At No. 1, with $24 million from 3,458 North American theaters.

When is the next Superman film? July 9, 2027.