James Gunn is the acclaimed filmmaker behind some of today’s most influential pop culture content and currently serves as Co-Chairman and CEO of DC Studios, alongside Peter Safran.
Gunn most recently wrote and directed the feature film “Superman”, released on July 11, 2025. One of the most highly anticipated films of the summer, Superman has earned over $614 million globally and received critical acclaim for its heartfelt story centered on humanity and kindness in a modern world that often overlooks those values.
Next, Gunn will debut the second season of the Emmy-nominated HBO Max series “Peacemaker” on August 21, 2025, for which he wrote and directed several episodes. His recent credits also include the animated HBO Max hit “Creature Commandos”, which premiered on December 5, 2024.
In 2021, Gunn brought his signature style to the Warner Bros. film “The Suicide Squad”, which he wrote and directed. The movie featured returning DC characters played by Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, and Joel Kinnaman, and introduced a new ensemble including Idris Elba, John Cena, Peter Capaldi, and others.
From that film, Gunn developed the HBO Max series “Peacemaker”, centered around Cena’s character. Premiering on January 13, 2022, the series was met with rave reviews and earned an Emmy nomination. Gunn’s work on the soundtrack—especially the viral dance sequence in the opening credits—received widespread praise.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Gunn is best known for creating and directing the entire “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy. The franchise has earned over $2.4 billion worldwide. The original film was the second highest-grossing movie of 2014 and made Marvel history by spending five weekends at No. 1. The final installment, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” opened to $289.3 million and surpassed $835 million globally prior to its digital release. The trilogy won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Action Movie and earned nominations from the Oscars, Grammys, BAFTAs, MTV Movie Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. Gunn received a WGA nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2014.
Music plays a central role in Gunn’s storytelling. He personally curated the soundtracks for the Guardians films, with “Awesome Mix Vol. 1” becoming the first soundtrack made entirely of previously released songs to hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. It was later certified Platinum. Vol. 2 ended 2017 as the eighth highest-selling album in the U.S., with 600,000 copies sold, and earned Gold certification.
Gunn’s earlier work includes the cult classics “Slither” and “Super”, as well as his breakthrough at Troma Entertainment, where he wrote the screenplay for “Tromeo & Juliet” (1997), which became a cult hit with extended midnight runs in Los Angeles.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Gunn began making films at age twelve with his brother Sean Gunn, using an 8mm camera. While attending Columbia University, he landed a part-time job at Troma, which jumpstarted his screenwriting career.
From indie horror to blockbuster franchises, James Gunn has become one of the most distinctive and influential voices in modern filmmaking.
