SmartLess: "James Gunn"

Released August 18, 2025
Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest: James Gunn (Filmmaker, CEO/Co-Chairman of DC Studios)

Episode Overview

This episode of SmartLess brings acclaimed filmmaker and DC Studios co-chair James Gunn into the "living room" with Jason, Sean, and Will. The conversation playfully journeys through Gunn's humble beginnings, his transformation into an industry-shaping creative force, and his current stewardship of some of pop culture’s most iconic superheroes. Topics span from creative philosophy and studio politics to the future of AI in filmmaking—not to mention the vital debate over Superman’s trunks. Throughout, the discussion blends deep industry insight with the hosts’ signature warmth and wit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. James Gunn's Unconventional Start in Film

Timestamp: 08:06 – 15:14

• Origins at Troma Entertainment: Gunn recounts his early days working for Troma, famous for its low-budget horror films.

  • He wrote Tromeo & Juliet for just $150 (“I’m not saying that as an exaggeration. I mean, literally 150 bucks.” – James Gunn, 12:02).
  • Learned all facets of film, from writing and directing to producing and even choreographing scenes.
  • “I just learned… I would come home every day from work… I think I’ve found my home. It was like I was alive.” (15:14)

• Troma’s Influence: Bateman and Arnett compare Troma’s DIY spirit to the maverick attitude of Roger Corman, with Gunn emphasizing the “blood splattery, sexual, very trashy” artistry that set Troma apart. (13:20)

2. Creative Passion vs. Luck in Success

Timestamp: 16:11 – 17:26

• Gunn credits a combination of luck, passion, and creative detachment for his career trajectory.
  • “Luck… definitely plays a hand in it… I somehow am able to shut out the world about what the world thinks and just act from a creative place.” (16:42)
  • He underscores the duality of artistic purity and the need to “check commercial boxes” (17:11).

3. Running DC Studios: Artistry Meets Corporate Reality

Timestamp: 17:26 – 21:52

• Division of Labor at DC: Gunn elaborates on his partnership with Peter Safran (“He takes care of everything that I don’t want to have to take care of…all the corporate meetings.” – 17:43).
• Empowering Writers: Strongly advocates for elevating the role of writers in film. “Writers…their place is diminished in Hollywood… we never go into production on a script that I don’t think is finished and great.” (18:42)
• Balancing Scheduling Pressures: Gunn is unwavering about script quality, willing to change release dates if a screenplay isn’t finished (“I’ll change the date.” – 19:31).

4. DC vs. Marvel: Corporate and Creative Culture

Timestamp: 21:12 – 22:19

• Discusses differing studio cultures, noting Marvel’s leadership (Feige and Desposito) care deeply about their films but sometimes get overwhelmed by demands for content (21:52).
• Stresses the challenge streaming platforms have brought: “Disney coming out with streaming and then saying we needed a million things this year…It just became too much to quality control.” (21:52)

5. Reinventing Superman: Fresh Perspective on an Icon

Timestamp: 27:01 – 31:03

• Genesis of the New Film: Initially resistant, Gunn was inspired after rereading All-Star Superman and wanting to tell a story about “goodness.”
  • “This is a movie about goodness...The world in Superman is as unkind as our world…but Superman is kind…that’s his real superpower.” (30:10)
  • Krypton the Superdog, inspired by Gunn's own dog Ozu, will appear for the first time in a live-action Superman film. (29:18)

6. The Superman ‘Trunks’ Debate

Timestamp: 33:29 – 36:39

• Gunn humorously walks through the heated fan debate over whether Superman should wear his iconic red trunks.
  • “I am sure that somebody would kill somebody else over the fight over whether Superman should have trunks or not.” (33:39)
  • Chose to include them because “David Corenswet [the new Superman] was like…he really wants kids to like him. So he’s going to wear this garish, colorful costume.” (35:42)
  • Bateman jokes about the “practical” aspect: “He’s wearing some clingy outfits there…he needs another layer, am I wrong? Otherwise we’re going to see his religion.” (36:23)

7. Guardians of the Galaxy: Unexpected Breakthrough

Timestamp: 38:07 – 43:39

• Gunn was considering leaving film for TV when Marvel invited him to pitch on Guardians.
  • The challenge: making a talking raccoon “real” led to Rocket’s soulfulness.
  • “This raccoon would be the saddest creature in the universe. He’s created in a petri dish…he’s completely alone.” (40:14)
• The use of music, especially 70s AM pop, became a distinctive element, grounding the fantastical story (“…how do you ground this in the coolest way possible?” – 42:43)

8. Directing, TV, and Working with John Cena

Timestamp: 44:55 – 46:55

• Details on Peacemaker (HBO Max): Gunn created and wrote much of the hit series and is prepping season two.
• Discusses the challenge of juggling showrunning, feature films, and running a studio all at once (650 pages of material in one year).

9. Creative Leadership at the Studio Level

Timestamp: 49:37 – 56:16

• Bateman marvels at Gunn’s rare blend of creative and executive power—Gunn acknowledges he’d never do the job without Peter Safran.
• Critiques the long tradition of non-creatives making creative decisions (“…it felt like a couple of brain surgeons performing brain surgery and having a bunch of podiatrists around telling you how to do it.” – 52:09)
• Gunn is candid about the challenge of actually wielding influence: “The only person we answer to is David Zaslav…He’s the opposite of the guy Will was talking about.” (54:50)

10. AI and the Future of Filmmaking

Timestamp: 56:16 – 62:24

• Gunn tempers alarm over AI, suggesting the biggest impacts will be on lower-rank VFX and support jobs first; true AI-driven storytelling is still “a little ways off” (58:40).
• “In the moment, it’s a problem for low-level jobs…all the people that do the rotoscoping…that is going to be replaced by AI in the next couple of years, almost certainly.” (57:35)
• Bateman wonders if cheaper VFX through AI could help financial health of the industry and eventually create new opportunities.

11. Human Connection as Entertainment's Enduring Value

Timestamp: 64:12 – 65:44

• Will and James reflect on the draw of live performance and human connection as the “commodity” that will always be irreplaceable, even as AI grows.
  • “I do think…the one thing is going to be the desire for real human connection…that is going to become even more exclusive…and that’s the good.” – Will Arnett (64:58)
  • Gunn agrees that authentic communication is what makes film, TV, and music moving.

12. Loose Ends, Music, and the Peacemaker Podcast

Timestamp: 66:39 – End (68:58)

• Gunn discusses writing songs for film, including those written with Rhett Miller, Tyler Bates, and others for the Guardians franchise and holiday special.
• Teases the Peacemaker podcast leading up to the new season, co-hosted with his wife Jennifer Holland and other cast members.
• “I believe it’s called Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn…A creative committee of sorts came up by.” (68:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Filmmaking:
  • “One of my first jobs was to choreograph a sex scene between two women. So that was sort of like my first…yeah, it was horrible.” – James Gunn (14:45)
• On Movie Studio Leadership:
  • “There hasn’t ever been a creative in the position of studio head.” – James Gunn (50:27)
  • “It felt like a couple of brain surgeons performing brain surgery and having a bunch of podiatrists around telling you how to do it.” – James Gunn (52:09)
• On Superman’s Core:
  • “This is a movie about goodness…Superman is kind and right. That’s his real superpower.” – James Gunn (30:29)
  • “We’re not making fun of him…he is a rebel…His rebelliousness manifests itself in just kindness and goodness and love.” (30:30)
• On AI’s Impact:
  • “I have a stunt … friend who’s like, ‘They’re gonna use my body and they have the rights to my body.’ I’m like, ‘They don’t want your body…they want the body of the guy you double for.’” (57:35)
• On Fan Culture:
  • “I am sure that somebody would kill somebody else over the fight over whether Superman should have trunks or not.” – James Gunn (33:39)
  • “He can fly around…beams out of his eyes…he really wants kids to like him. So he’s going to wear this garish, colorful costume.” (35:42)
• On Chris Pratt:
  • “He can’t help being funny.” – Will Arnett (43:36)
• On Human Connection:
  • “I think…the one thing is going to be the desire for real human connection…that is going to become even more exclusive. And people will pay a premium to have a real experience.” – Will Arnett (64:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [08:06] James Gunn’s Troma Days
• [15:01] Learning Everything About Filmmaking
• [17:26] Running DC Studios & Elevating Writers
• [21:12] DC vs. Marvel Studios
• [27:01] Approaching a New Superman
• [33:29] The Great Superman Trunks Debate
• [38:07] Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Breakthrough
• [44:55] Writing & Producing Peacemaker
• [49:37] Creative Leadership (Studio Politics)
• [56:16] AI and the Future of Creativity
• [64:12] The Enduring Power of Human Connection
• [66:39] Gunn’s Songwriting & Upcoming Podcast

Tone & Takeaways

The tone is irreverent, candid, and deep—with Gunn’s self-deprecation and animated storytelling blending perfectly with the hosts’ relentless banter. For film geeks, writers, or anyone curious about the realities of Hollywood, this episode shines a rare light on the intersection of creative vision, fandom, and the changing face of the business. Expect laughter, lots of meta-commentary about the movie business, and a heartening message: that authenticity, kindness, and genuine connection matter most—even when you’re leading superheroes into the future.

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