James Gunn Addresses DC Studios Backlash After False Suicide Squad Rumors

James Gunn is calling out online trolls following backlash to a false DC Studios rumor involving The Suicide Squad.

Recent reports claimed that DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are recasting the entire DC Universe except for actors who starred in The Suicide Squad and its HBO Max spin-off Peacemaker, which were created by the former. After being accused of nepotism as a result of those reports, Gunn took to his official Twitter page to shut them down, calling them “untrue.”

“One of the things Peter and I were aware of when we took the job as heads of DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well, uproarious and unkind, to say the least,” Gunn wrote on Twitter. “Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story and best for the DC characters who have been around for nearly 85 years. Perhaps these choices are great, perhaps not, but they are made with sincere hearts and integrity and always with the story in mind. No one loves to be harassed or called names – but, to be frank, we’ve been through significantly worse. Disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our actions.”

Gunn went on to add the following: “We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig and we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult and not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us. But this means little to us in comparison to our jobs as artists and custodians in helping to create a wide and wonderful future for DC.”

Last week, Gunn announced that he is writing the next Superman movie, which focuses on a younger version of the DC Comics hero. As such, Henry Cavill won’t be reprising his role as the Last Son of Krypton. The announcement has led many to believe that Gunn and Safran plan to reboot the entire DC Universe.

James Gunn and Peter Safran are now in charge of DC’s film, television and animations efforts at Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing the company’s comic book-related assets under one roof. Gunn is said to be focusing on the creative direction of the DCU while Safran is handling things that are related to business and production.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are currently in various stages of post-production at Warner Bros. Discovery, with all four DC Universe movies slated to hit theaters in 2023. Will the characters from those movies make appearances in the new DCU? Only Gunn and Safran know.

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