The Viall Files: E986 – Going Deeper with James Gunn

Released: August 20, 2025

Overview

In this “Going Deeper” episode, Nick Viall and his co-hosts sit down with filmmaker and DC Studios co-head James Gunn for a remarkably candid conversation. They traverse Gunn’s creative process, his journey from an unlikely Hollywood outsider to one of the most influential creatives in comic book movies, the deep emotional heart of his projects like Peacemaker and Superman, and the intersection of personal life, relationships, and reality TV. Gunn shares unfiltered wisdom about collaboration, vulnerability, and the joys (and chaos) of building cinematic universes, all while peppering the episode with heartfelt advice, hilarious anecdotes, and rare behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Main Themes

• James Gunn’s career arc, creative process, and vulnerability in art
• Building emotionally resonant comic book and superhero stories
• Leading DC Studios and balancing connected universes with story accessibility
• Relationships, partnership, and marrying collaboration with personal life
• Deep dives into reality TV as both fan and inspiration
• Candid behind-the-scenes stories about directing, casting, and working with actors

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Connections and Full-Circle Moments

• Nick reflects on meeting James as a Bachelor fan and being supported by Gunn early on. Gunn recalls making a "Team Nick" video clip for The Bachelor (01:16).
• They celebrate how their careers have grown in parallel, culminating in Gunn joining for the Viall Files’ milestone episode (02:30).
• Reflecting on success, Gunn shares:
  “It is a communal sport... I love my work on the show, but I love the work of the stunt coordinators and the actors and all the other people that added to the show. I’m so proud of all of that. That’s why I love Peacemaker so much — there’s no holds barred with this show.” (03:03)

2. Writing Complex Characters & Bringing Humanity to Superheroes

• Gunn’s projects are praised for being relatable—even to those who aren’t comic book superfans (04:21).
• On his approach:
  “Our [Superman] movie is man first, super second... With Peacemaker, the costume is just a thing he wears... it really is the Christopher Smith show.” (04:48)
• Characters are sometimes inspired by real people:
  • “Yondu’s my dad... Totally imperfect father growing up. But I knew he loved me at the end of the day.” (12:55)

3. Character Creation and Casting

• Gunn sometimes writes characters for specific actors (e.g., Danielle Brooks for Peacemaker, initially wrote for Lance Reddick) but is open to reinterpretation:
  “Chuck Woody came in and... it’s probably the best performance in season one.” (08:30)
• He describes the process of adapting scripts to the unique qualities actors bring, stressing the interplay between writing and performance (08:35–09:37).

4. Emotional Vulnerability, Sobriety, and Psychology

• Gunn credits getting sober at 19 with opening him up emotionally (10:16).
• He unpacks anger as a “cover” for deeper feelings:
  “Anger is actually a feeling? I think that anger is the thing we do to avoid something else...” (11:38)
• His psychology background influences character work but mostly through continual reading and personal self-awareness.

5. Working with Wrestlers and Fostering Actor Growth

• Both John Cena and Dave Bautista are praised for their emotional rawness, work ethic, and growth as actors (16:57).
• On Cena’s talent:
  “He is incredible in this season... John had a hard time with a crying scene in season one... This time... tears spill down his eyes and then he breaks down and sobs. That’s not usual for a wrestler or any actor, frankly.” (17:23, 21:55)
• Gunn describes building a “family” on set, with recurring collaborators and friendships (21:58).

6. Art, Pressure, and Grind

• Gunn reflects on time pressure (writing Peacemaker S2 in 8 weeks before starting Superman), saying the grind sometimes leads to creativity despite stress (24:01, 24:44).
• He discusses persistent “writer’s brain,” constantly thinking about scripts, story arcs, and character psychology (25:29).

7. Building Universes: Big Picture vs. Character Lens

• Gunn’s process weaves between high-level universe plotting and intimate character arcs.
  “Character is always the most important part... But I am popping back and forth: What’s the long-term story I’m telling here?” (27:13, 29:57)

8. Relationships, Partnership, and Marriage

• Gunn and Nick bond over the importance of real partnership with their wives (34:05–35:07).
• Gunn shares a hilarious, awkward proposal story with Jen (his wife and Peacemaker actress), demonstrating both his procrastination and reliance on family advice (44:58–48:40).
• Gunn on what makes his relationship work:
  “I think in the past, I took in broken birds and was taking care of everything... If anything, this relationship is the opposite. Jen... my totally, fully equal partner.” (49:55, 50:51)

9. Music’s Role in Storytelling

• Every music cue in Gunn’s films is his choice; he crafts distinctive soundtracks per project, delivers playlists to cast with scripts, and views music as essential to each story’s “vibe” (41:28–43:01).

10. Handling Fandom, Source Material, and Canon

• Gunn balances honoring beloved comic book lore with making changes, particularly when he feels it will emotionally serve the story:
  “I am trying to do the best I can for these DC characters that I love. I will always make mistakes. I’m always doing my best... With DC characters, I understand them.” (56:23)
• He insists that every entry in the DC universe should be enjoyable on its own, without making audiences feel like “it’s homework.” (61:51, 62:40)

11. Directing: Conflict, Collaboration & Vulnerability

• Gunn recounts a viral moment from Superman’s set where he and David (the new Superman) had a public, emotional director-actor discussion which left both moved and shaped the performance (64:02–65:54).
• On balancing vision with actor contributions:
  “David taught me something that day... The thing I learned on that day was that his way was great. My way was better, but when he understood what I was coming from, it was even better.” (66:03–71:14)

12. Adult Themes & Directorial Freedom

• Peacemaker’s mature content and orgy scene: Gunn details the crucial role of intimacy coordinators, the freedom of an “adults only” project, and collaborating openly on set (75:37–82:41).

13. Loyalty, Community & Set Culture

• Gunn is fiercely loyal, often reusing cast and crew for years, admitting it may be “to a fault” (87:11).
• His “no a**hole policy” means he refuses to work with mean or chronically late actors:
  “If they’re mean to crew members, boom, they’re out.” (85:31)
• Gunn values tough, honest, but non-mean set culture, and is blunt when expectations aren’t met (88:48, 89:30).

14. Relationship to Reality TV

• Gunn is a voracious reality television fan (Love Island, Big Brother, Survivor, Traitors), watching shows both with and without his wife (94:10).
• He connects deeply with contestants with integrity and resilience (e.g., Taylor from Big Brother, Boston Rob from Survivor) and draws subtle inspiration from reality TV’s raw social dynamics (95:42, 96:11).
• Gunn and Nick discuss the psychological complexities for contestants transitioning from show to real life, comparing experiences (100:09, 101:08).
• Gunn prefers reality TV with competition and stakes, not just “people being crazy.” (108:48–109:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On storytelling and humanity:
  “Our Superman is man first, super second.” (04:48, James Gunn)

• Gunn on his personal journey:
  “I was a pretty rough kid, but I got sober when I was 19... That gave me access to my emotions and feelings that most guys especially don’t have at 19.” (10:16, James Gunn)

• On anger as an emotion:
  “Anger is... the thing we do to avoid something else. We feel embarrassment and react with anger because we want to deny we feel hurt.” (11:38, James Gunn)

• Describing John Cena’s growth:
  “He is incredible in this season... [In a key scene] tears spill down his eyes and then he breaks down and sobs. That’s not usual... especially male actors.” (17:23, James Gunn)

• On collaborating with friends and family:
  "Everything is still, like, putting on a play with my friends." (31:05, James Gunn)

• On finding purpose and following dreams:
  “I still to this day don’t believe in telling people to follow your dreams. I think find what you’re good at and do that... A dream is just that: it’s a dream.” (39:33, James Gunn)

• On partnership and marriage:
  “I think the thing that I didn’t realize about marriage is that you have a partner. Romance and sex and love... But it’s also important. You have a conversation partner for life.” (50:03, James Gunn)

• On music and film:
  “There’s never been anyone who’s made ANY choice, any song in any movie other than me.” (41:28, James Gunn)

• About fandom and canon:
  “My heart is pure... I am trying to do the best for these DC characters that I love.” (56:23, James Gunn)

• On viral Superman moment:
  “His way was great. My way was better. But when he understood what I was coming from, it was even better.” (71:14, James Gunn)

• On set culture and actor policy:
  “If they’re mean to crew members, boom, they’re out... If you’re going to be showing up three hours late, screw, you’re a jerk.” (85:31, James Gunn)

• On reality TV:
  “Love Island’s just the guiltiest of all pleasures... you could miss big pieces of it if I’m on the phone or go to the bathroom...” (97:19, James Gunn)
  “Survivor’s like my all-time favorite reality show.” (97:15, James Gunn)
  “I don’t like just watching people be crazy living life—I like things where you can win money or... wear pig suits.” (108:54, James Gunn)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Early Friendship: 01:00 – 02:49
• On Peacemaker, Creative Freedom: 03:03 – 06:32
• Character Writing & Collaboration: 06:32 – 09:37
• Sobriety & Emotional Access: 10:16 – 13:41
• Casting & Working with Actors: 16:19 – 22:35
• Writer’s Grind and Creative Pressure: 24:01 – 26:52
• Building Universes & Character Arcs: 27:13 – 29:57
• On Partnership & Marriage: 34:05 – 35:07, 44:58 – 49:55
• Music Choices in Film: 41:28 – 43:01
• Fandom, Source Material, and Canon: 55:31 – 58:48, 61:51 – 63:39
• Viral Superman Set Moment: 64:02 – 66:03
• Directing: Freedom vs. Collaboration: 82:41 – 84:15
• No Asshole Policy / Loyalty: 85:13 – 87:11
• Reality TV Deep Dive: 94:03 – 102:23
• Anecdotes from Reality TV & Personal Connections: 102:23 – 104:00

Recurring Motifs and Final Thoughts

• Vulnerability Breeds Strength: Gunn’s openness about his struggles, mistakes, and growth foster both artistry and deep connections on set and in life.
• Art & Life Intertwined: His personal experiences, relationships, and emotional awareness are inseparable from the stories he tells and characters he creates.
• Commitment to Collaboration: Loyalty, clarity, the banishment of toxic behavior, and the warmth of creative “family” are cornerstones of his approach.
• Stories for All: Gunn’s goal is to create superhero tales that are emotionally real, relatable, and accessible—whether or not you’re a comic buff—while still delighting hardcore fans.
• Reality TV as Social Laboratory: The behind-the-curtain look at why stories—fictional or reality-based—move us, make us cringe, and sometimes mirror the messiness of our own lives.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Expect a funny, deeply generous, and wide-ranging conversation that covers not just superhero movies, but the intricacies of creative life, marriage, fandom, and reality TV. Gunn’s transparency, vulnerability, and genuine love for storytelling and the people he works with shine throughout. Whether you care about Peacemaker, want advice on collaborating with partners, or just need a new binge-worthy reality TV suggestion, this episode delivers.

Key takeaway: Even in blockbuster universes, it’s the real, human stuff—the feelings, the mistakes, the families by blood and by choice—that create the magic.

Peacemaker Season 2 is out August 21, 2025, on HBO Max. As James Gunn puts it: You do NOT have to be a comics fan to enjoy it—just bring your humanity.