MCU is currently turning itself into a nostalgia act. And what could be a better example of this than its latest offering, Deadpool & Wolverine? The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman starrer is a walk down memory lane for any Marvel buff who has spent the last 25-odd years glued to superhero films. As if that were not enough, the studio even resurrected its most bankable face from the grave, this time as a villain. However, MCU’s strategy of drawing from its past is miles apart from James Gunn’s upcoming DCU route.

Back in 2023, at a press event unveiling DC Studios’ plans, James Gunn clarified that the DCU would not be a clone of Marvel, as many fans were assuming. “We're a lot more planned out than Marvel did from the beginning,” stated the studio executive. He likened his universe to Star Wars and Game of Thrones, where there are different places and times, along with “morally complex” characters.

It has been a trend for ages that people tend to like the heroes they rate as most moral. However, with the fresh takes on the superhero world, the best example being Amazon Prime's The Boys, this trend is slowly shifting. And the DCU is going to follow a similar path, breaking the stereotype of dehumanizing superheroes, which fans feel is a breath of fresh air for the superhero genre.

James Gunn Makes Bold Claims About the Upcoming DC Project ‘Superman: Legacy’

Fans have expressed optimism for the way the DCU is progressing in a much more organized and planned manner. 

The biggest edge James Gunn has as a studio executive of DCU is that he has been an MCU insider as well. “Marvel didn't have everything completely worked out ahead of time”, revealed Gunn in the same interview. However, he appreciated how the MCU has consistently managed to turn lackluster movies into hits, by tweaking projects until the 11th hour. Given Gunn’s know-how and commitment to making the DCU stand out, fans are more hopeful than ever about the franchise.

There were, however, also fans who were not letting their expectations run wild with just some flowery promises.

James Gunn’s first DCU outing is the 2025 Superman movie, minus Henry Cavill, who, by the way, has hinted at a possible shift to the MCU. Despite some raised eyebrows about the new lead, David Corenswet, the upcoming movie will ultimately show whether the DCU will live up to its promises or put Gunn in an awkward position.

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What do you think about James Gunn's vision for DCU? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!