Director James Gunn quickly made a name for himself in the comic book movie business after taking the lead on two Guardians of the Galaxy blockbusters for Marvel Studios. Unfortunately, after a series of divisive tweets resurfaced from years ago, Gunn was fired from the third installment of the trilogy, leading him to take on several projects at Warner Bros. and DC.
That relationship has since been rekindled and the director has already wrapped filming on The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Vol. 3, but that didn't put an end to his work at DC. Gunn has already directed the outrageous The Suicide Squad and HBO Max's Peacemaker spin-off, which has since been renewed for Season 2.
The comic book filmmaker has been reported to have more DC projects in the works on top of that, including an HBO Max series for Viola Davis' Amanda Waller. Gunn has also confirmed he does have another DC big-screen movie in the works that may have nothing to do with The Suicide Squad.
But with Warner Bros. Discovery's new management currently going on a cancellation spree, many are concerned about whether James Gunn's outings will survive the onslaught. Fortunately, the director has offered a promising update on that front.
James Gunn Offers Update on DC Projects
The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker director James Gunn recently reassured fans on Twitter about the future of his DC projects amid many recent cancellations.
With regard to the future of Peacemaker, Gunn promised that John Cena's anti-hero will "still be making lots of peace in Season 2" and fans have "no need to be worried:"
"No need to be worried on behalf of #Peacemaker. Our friend will still be making lots of peace in Season 2."
Responding to a question regarding the development of his other DC outings, the director revealed "everything is beyond good on all fronts, yes."
Another follower was quick to point out HBO Max appears set to be replaced by another service and that the public knows nothing after the Warner Bros. Discovery takeover. Gunn responded by explaining he knows "more than nothing" and Peacemaker Season 2 is safe:
"I know more than nothing and there is no need to be worried about #Peacemaker Season 2."
What is James Gunn's DC Future?
Following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn will complete his current body of work at Marvel Studios, although there may still be some opportunity for him to continue on down the line. This ought to open up the director's schedule to devote more time to his upcoming DC projects including Peacemaker Season 2, the Amanda Waller series, and an unknown movie.
While Gunn has already explained he doesn't want to top job at DC Films, he may well take on a bigger role at the company going forward. Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav recently confirmed his intentions to build a team to map out the next ten years of the DC universe, and Gunn would be a no-brainer addition.
The director appears placed to continue building out his own corner of the DC universe filled with lesser-known and morally questionable characters. Gunn has long shown that he thrives when he can freely build out his own worlds and characters, so that will undoubtedly be a key part of whatever the future holds for him.
What is James Gunn's Next DC Project?
While there are many possibilities for this mystery project, a few pieces of evidence seem to point towards one conclusion. In all likeliness, Gunn's newest series will stay focused on the Suicide Squad corner of the DCEU that the director has already made his own.
In a recent interaction with a fan on Twitter, Gunn seemed to hint that future Suicide Squad spinoff series (say that three times fast) in the vein of Peacemaker were in the works. While this may be an entirely different project, the director already has a lot on his plate, with this mystery project, Peacemaker season two, and, over on the MCU side of things, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the aptly named The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special all in various stages of development.
If this project does end up focusing on the cast of characters from The Suicide Squad, there are a few likely possibilities for the starring role. Gunn recently shot down rumors about a possible Bloodsport series, making it unlikely that Idris Elba's assassin will end up the focus of this mystery show.
The rest of the surviving members of the Squad are all potential candidates, including Harley Quinn, Ratcatcher 2, King Shark, and, yes, even Weasel. However, with Margot Robbie saying she needs a break from her character, Harley Quinn is likely also out of the running.
Even the characters that died in 2020's The Suicide Squad aren't entirely off the table, however, with John Cena's Peacemaker, the star of the upcoming series, seeming to die during the events of that film.
With Gunn's unique sensibilities, it is difficult to pin down where exactly he will decide to go next in the DCEU. All that is certain is that whatever he tackles next will likely be as unique and surprising as anything else the eclectic figure has produced.
Peacemaker Season 2 is expected to begin filming in 2023.
