DCU Movies Won’t Make Audiences Do Homework

Credit: (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic via Getty Images)

The DC Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe may both be shared universes centered around superheroes from their respective comic book publishers, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be notable differences between the two. James Gunn, who is creatively overseeing the DCU in his role as co-CEO of DC Studios, recently shared how the DCU will differ from the fan-favorite MCU.

Gunn has been working in the superhero genre for over a decade now, getting his feet wet with his original movie Super in 2010 before joining the MCU as writer-director of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). He returned to write and direct the movie’s two sequels — Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) — as well as its Disney+ offshoot The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. With Gunn well-versed in how the MCU operates, it’s no surprise that he’s found a few problem areas that he wants to make sure the DCU doesn’t fall into over the long run.

How will the DCU differ from the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly about the DCU movie Superman, Gunn shared that he does not want to make audiences feel like they have to see every other entry in the shared universe before viewing the latest installment. “I am really trying to be careful that anybody can dip in and see the story that is up next and not feel like they’re missing information,” he explained.

This is a radically different approach from the one that Marvel Studios has taken since its first Avengers movie in 2012. While the Phase 1 solo movies were largely standalone, following Marvel’s The Avengers, the movies began to weave together, sharing characters and storylines.

Almost two decades and 50 projects in, the MCU is now an expansive multiverse that may require a fan to watch several hours of previous installments to understand the latest movie or show. For instance, Marvel Studios’ latest movie, Thunderbolts*, continued or mentioned storylines from the Avengers movies, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Captain America: Brave New World.

However, just because Gunn is committed to making most of the entries in the DCU standalone, that doesn’t mean that DC Studios isn’t planning on incorporating an overarching storyline for its universe.

“The most important thing is the specific stories, but there is also a much bigger story that we’re telling that will take a little bit longer to tell,” Gunn teased. “That’s sort of where my next couple of things are going to be.”

The DCU officially kicks off on July 11, 2025, when Superman flies into theaters.

Originally published on SuperHeroHype.

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