James Gunn compares the DCU to Star Wars: not every story needs to build to a crossover

If you haven't been keeping close tabs on the DC Universe lately (and honestly, who could blame you, given how much it's ballooned), here's where we're at under the James Gunn and Peter Safran regime: after a warmly-received Superman reboot in 2025, the immediately-following Supergirl absolutely tanked at the box office. Their latest swing, however, is something different — Clayface, a full-blown horror flick, and it seems to be drawing crowds early on. Meanwhile, DC's TV slate just keeps expanding with shows like Creature Commandos, Peacemaker, and Lanterns.

Where's all this going?

Fans, predictably, have started poking Gunn online, trying to suss out if there’s a grand plan — an Avengers-style mega-crossover in the works, or at least some inevitable finale pulling it all together. One enthusiast on Threads called these projects the 'foundation' of Gunn's universe and straight up asked what it’s building towards. Another chimed in that these days, audiences may be too hung up on crossovers, probably because Marvel trained us to expect climactic team-ups after every third film. As this was brewing, Gunn decided to wade in himself, backing the idea that good individual stories ought to be enough:

Gunn weighed in on Threads: 'I couldn't agree more. DCU is just an alternate universe; we can enter at any location or time and tell THAT story. I dislike the idea that individual stories aren't meaningful unless they lead to something else. People not understanding this is strange to me, because Star Wars has essentially been doing this for 50 years across movies, shows, games and books, admittedly without the tonal variety.'

Which, to be fair, is a pointed comparison. While Star Wars projects do connect here and there, you're not forced into homework just to watch The Mandalorian or Andor; each story is supposed to work in its own right. Gunn wants the DCU to be more like that: shared universe, yes, but not everything needs to be a set-up for the next big event.

Characters Cross Over (But It’s Not the Point)

That’s not to say the new DCU is allergic to the odd cameo — far from it. If you're following along, you'll start spotting faces from earlier shows popping up elsewhere. For instance, Man of Tomorrow (Superman's sequel, due out July 9, 2027) brings in the likes of John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) from Lanterns, Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) from Peacemaker, and Jamie Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) who you really only know if you stuck it out for Blue Beetle. Even so, Gunn’s made it clear he doesn't want you buying a ticket just for continuity's sake:

Gunn explained on Threads: 'I would love people to be seeing Clayface because it's a great, fun horror movie unto itself, not because of where else Clayface will show up three movies from now.'

It's a sensible stance, especially considering how DC's last full-scale crossover — yes, Justice League in 2017 — ended up as a muddled flop. They're choosing caution, for now, rather than racing headlong toward a massive punch-up with every cape in the universe.

Looking Ahead

• Clayface — new horror approach, performing strongly at the box office right now.
• Man of Tomorrow — the Superman follow-up, arrives in cinemas 9 July 2027. Expect appearances from John Stewart, Rick Flag Sr., and Jamie Reyes.
• Avengers: Doomsday — Marvel's next attempt at a blockbuster crossover, due 18 December 2026. A useful reminder DC’s not the only one with timelines to manage.

As for any Avengers-sized team-up within DC's corner of things: possible, but not on the immediate horizon. Gunn and Safran seem happy (for now) to let this new universe find its own feet one story at a time.

Man of Tomorrow, the DCU's next big event film, arrives in UK cinemas on 9 July 2027.