James Francis Gunn Jr. (born August 5, 1966)[n 1] is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He began his career as a screenwriter in the mid-1990s, starting at Troma Entertainment with Tromeo and Juliet (1996). He then began working as a director, starting with the horror-comedy film Slither (2006), and moving to the superhero genre with Super (2010), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), The Suicide Squad (2021), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).
James Gunn | |
---|---|
Born | James Francis Gunn Jr. August 5, 1966[n 1] |
Education | Loyola Marymount University Saint Louis University (BA) Columbia University (MFA) |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1989–present |
Employer | Warner Bros. Discovery |
Title | Co-chairman and Co-CEO of DC Studios |
Spouses | |
Relatives |
|
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery hired Gunn and Peter Safran to become co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios.[1] Under DC Studios, Gunn will co-produce and executive produce every film and television series under the upcoming DC Universe (DCU) media franchise alongside Safran, which will act as a soft-reboot of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). In the DCU, he is the creator of the series Creature Commandos (2024) and the writer-director of the upcoming film Superman (2025).
He also wrote and directed the web series James Gunn's PG Porn (2008–2009), the HBO Max original series Peacemaker (2022–present) and the Disney+ original special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022). Other projects he is known for is writing for the 2004 remake of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978), writing the live-action adaptation of Scooby Doo (2002), and its sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), writing and producing the horror-action film The Belko Experiment (2016), producing the superhero-horror film Brightburn (2019), and contributing to comedy-anthology film Movie 43 (2013) (directing the segment "Beezel") and the 2012 hack-and-slash video game Lollipop Chainsaw.
Early life
James Francis Gunn Jr.[2] was born on August 5, 1966[3][n 1] in St. Louis, Missouri,[4] to parents James F. Gunn, an attorney, and Leota "Lee" (Hynek).[8][9][10] He was raised Catholic[11] in the St. Louis suburb of Manchester, Missouri.[12][13] He has five siblings — actor Sean, actor and political writer Matt, screenwriter Brian, Patrick, and Beth.[14][15][16] Gunn is of Irish descent[17] his father coming from an Irish immigrant family.[18] Gunn has stated that his family's surname was originally the Irish name MacGilgunn and that it means "sons to the servants of the god of the dead"; it actually means "son of the brown youth."[19][20][21][22]
Growing up, Gunn was influenced by low-budget films such as Night of the Living Dead and Friday the 13th. He read magazines like Fangoria and attended genre movie screenings, including the original Dawn of the Dead at the Tivoli Theatre in St. Louis. At the age of 12, he began making 8 mm zombie films with his brothers in the woods near their home.[23]
Gunn and his brothers all attended the Jesuit St. Louis University High School, where he graduated in 1984.[7][8] He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Louis University.[24] While at Saint Louis University, Gunn created political cartoons for the school's student weekly, The University News.[25] Gunn said that, at an unspecified time in his college education, "I went to two years undergraduate film school at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. But I was pretty screwed up at the time, and had to leave. Years later I went to graduate school at the Columbia University School of Fine Arts but I studied prose writing, not film writing."[26] He earned a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University in 1995.[27]
Career
Music
While living in St. Louis, Gunn founded a band, The Icons, in 1989, serving as lead vocalist. The group released the album Mom, We Like It Here on Earth in 1994, and its songs "Sunday" and "Walking Naked" were featured in the film Tromeo and Juliet. The Icons disbanded in the mid-1990s.[28] Gunn has continued to work in music, composing songs for Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and Movie 43.
Film and television
Gunn began his career in filmmaking with Troma Entertainment in 1996, for which he co-wrote the independent film Tromeo and Juliet. Working alongside his mentor Lloyd Kaufman, the co-founder of Troma, Gunn learned how to write screenplays, produce films, scout locations, direct actors, distribute films, and create his own poster art.[23] After contributing to several other Troma films, Gunn in 2000 wrote, produced and performed in the superhero comedy The Specials, directed by Craig Mazin and featuring Rob Lowe, Thomas Haden Church, Paget Brewster, Judy Greer and Jamie Kennedy.
Gunn's first major Hollywood screenplay was Scooby-Doo in 2002. In 2004, he wrote the screenplays for the remake of Dawn of the Dead and the sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. With these films, Gunn became the first screenwriter to have two films top the box office in consecutive weeks.[29] That same year, he executive produced and starred in the mockumentary LolliLove, directed by and starring his then-wife Jenna Fischer. His film directorial debut was the 2006 horror-comedy Slither, which was included on Rotten Tomatoes' list of the 50 Best Ever Reviewed Horror Movies.[30]
Gunn's next projects included the comedy short film "Humanzee!" which was originally intended exclusively for the Xbox Live's Horror Meets Comedy series of short comedy films by horror directors, it was replaced with "Sparky and Mikaela" which debuted on Xbox Live on December 31, 2008. In an April 2009 interview on The Jace Hall Show, Gunn described "Sparky and Mikaela" as being "about a human [and] racoon crime fighting team and they fight crime in both the forest world, among the furry animals, and in the human world".[31] Gunn also has a short-form web series for Spike.com titled James Gunn's PG Porn.
In 2008, Gunn was a judge on the VH1 reality television show Scream Queens, where 10 unknown actresses compete for a role in the film Saw VI.[32]
In 2009, Gunn announced he was going to write and direct Pets, a comedy about a man who is abducted by aliens who want to turn him into a household pet, with Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld and Jeremy Kramer producing.[33] However, by March 2009, Gunn announced, "Pets unfortunately, is done. I'm gone. I left the project for various reasons. I hope it sees the light of day somehow, but it won't be with me attached as director."[34]
In 2010, Gunn released Super, a dark comedy and superhero satire starring Rainn Wilson and Elliot Page. He also directed a segment of the 2013 comedy anthology film Movie 43 (2013); the segment starred Elizabeth Banks and Josh Duhamel. The film was critically panned.
Gunn co-wrote and directed the Marvel Studios adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy, which was released on August 1, 2014.[35] His brother, Sean, has a role in the film. Gunn has appeared as an actor, mostly in smaller roles or uncredited appearances in his own projects. After Dan Gilroy and Jack Black separately lamented the proliferation of superhero films,[36] Gunn responded in a Facebook post, saying in part:
Popular fare in any medium has always been snubbed by the self-appointed elite. ... What bothers me slightly is that many people assume because you make big films that you put less love, care, and thought into them than people do who make independent films or who make what are considered more serious Hollywood films. ... If you think people who make superhero movies are dumb, come out and say we're dumb. But if you, as an independent filmmaker or a 'serious' filmmaker, think you put more love into your characters than the Russo Brothers do Captain America, or Joss Whedon does the Hulk, or I do a talking raccoon, you are simply mistaken.[37]
Gunn wrote and produced the horror film The Belko Experiment, which was released in 2017.[38] In 2016, he directed three Stan Lee cameo scenes in one day, for the film Doctor Strange and two unrevealed projects.[39][40][41]
Gunn wrote and directed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).[42][43][44] Gunn was slated to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in July 2018, but before the project started, Disney severed ties with Gunn as the director amid controversy over off-color jokes he had tweeted.[45] Gunn was rehired in March 2019 after a mass public appeal, many saying he was the reason of the previous movies' successes.[46]
In October 2018, Gunn was hired to write a completely new script for the DC Extended Universe film The Suicide Squad, with the intention of also serving as director, after its original director Gavin O'Connor left due to scheduling issues.[47][48] In January 2019, he was officially confirmed to direct The Suicide Squad.[49] He also wrote, directed, and produced the spin-off television series for the film centered on the character Peacemaker played by John Cena for Max.[50] Gunn also co-wrote and co-produced a live-action/animated film titled Coyote vs. Acme, based on the Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote, for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.[51]
Other media
Gunn wrote a novel in 2000, The Toy Collector, a story of a hospital orderly who steals drugs from the hospital which he sells to help keep his toy collection habit alive. In 1998, he and Troma's President Lloyd Kaufman co-wrote All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from The Toxic Avenger, about his experiences with Kaufman while working at Troma.
He wrote the story for Grasshopper Manufacture's video game Lollipop Chainsaw, working with game designer Suda 51.[52]
Firing from Disney and reinstatement
In July 2018, in reaction to Gunn's public criticisms of Donald Trump, commentator Mike Cernovich drew attention to controversial jokes that Gunn posted on social media between 2008 and 2012 involving pedophilia and the Holocaust.[53][54] Amid criticism of the tweets, Disney severed ties with Gunn as the director of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 film at the time;[55] Gunn responded: "I have regretted [those jokes] for many years since. [...] Regardless of how much time has passed, I understand and accept the business decisions taken today. Even these many years later, I take full responsibility for the way I conducted myself then. All I can do now [is offer] my sincere and heartfelt regret [...] To everyone inside my industry and beyond, I again offer my deepest apologies."[55][56]
Walt Disney Studios's decision received criticism from many entertainers and journalists, including actors Dave Bautista, Selma Blair, Patton Oswalt, David Dastmalchian, Michael Ian Black, Mikaela Hoover, Mike Colter, Alex Winter, David Hasselhoff, directors Joe Carnahan and Fede Álvarez, comics artist Jim Starlin, musician Rhett Miller, comedian Jim Jefferies, Rick and Morty creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, journalist David A. French and Troma Entertainment founder and president Lloyd Kaufman.[a] Bobcat Goldthwait, who worked as a voice actor on the 1997 Disney film Hercules, responded to the incident by asking Disney to remove his voice from an upcoming park attraction based on the film.[66]
A number of media outlets criticized Disney's decision, including Collider, Cartoon Brew, The Daily Dot, The Independent, National Review, MovieWeb, and Vulture.[67][58][68][69][70][71][72] An online petition urging Disney to re-hire Gunn received over 400,000 signatures.[57][73][74][75] On July 30, 2018, Guardians of the Galaxy cast members Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Michael Rooker released a joint statement through social media expressing their support for Gunn.[76]
Because of the situation, Sony Pictures decided to not promote the horror film Brightburn, which Gunn produced, at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.[77] However, when the first trailer for the film was released on December 8, 2018, Gunn's name was prominently featured. The film opened in May 2019.[78]
In March 2019, Gunn was reinstated by Disney as director of the film after meeting with Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios. Gunn started production on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in October 2021, after The Suicide Squad had been completed.[46]
DC Studios
Gunn and frequent producing partner Peter Safran had advised David Zaslav, the CEO of the newly created Warner Bros. Discovery, during his search for a new head of DC Films. The duo impressed Zaslav who decided to appoint them as the co-chairpersons and CEOs of DC Films, rebranded as "DC Studios", with control over films, animation and television projects based on characters from DC Comics. Gunn oversees the creative aspects and will be exclusive to Warner Bros. Discovery during his tenure, except for his prior commitments to Disney. The two assumed their positions on November 1, 2022.[79][80][81][82]
In December 2022, Gunn announced that he was writing a film about a young Superman during his early years in Metropolis,[83] later revealed to be titled Superman and scheduled for release in July 2025; in March 2023 it was confirmed Gunn would also direct the project.[84] In January 2023, Gunn and Safran revealed their plans for future DCU films, with the first chapter being titled "Gods and Monsters". Gunn also wrote a seven-episode animated series titled Creature Commandos, based on the comic book team of the same name,[85] and also worked on the HBO Max series Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker focusing on the character of Amanda Waller, with Christal Henry writing and Viola Davis reprising her role from previous DCEU projects.[86][87] Gunn is also involved in multiple other DC projects, including producing Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow due for release in 2026.[88][89]
Personal life
Gunn married actress Jenna Fischer on October 7, 2000.[8] After seven years of marriage, Gunn and Fischer announced their separation in a joint statement on September 5, 2007,[90] divorcing in 2008.[91] The two remained friends. In 2010, Fischer persuaded Gunn to cast Rainn Wilson, her co-star on The Office, in Gunn's film Super.[23]
Gunn has been in a relationship with actress Jennifer Holland since 2015.[92] In February 2022, Holland and Gunn became engaged,[93] and were married at the end of September 2022.[94]
He has a dog named Oz, adopted from a shelter in 2022. Gunn has regularly shared photos of the dog and promoted #AdoptDontShop.[95] For that reason as well as his CGI work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, PETA declared Gunn to be their 2023 Person of the Year.[96]
Gunn was raised in a Catholic family and has mentioned how prayer continues to play an important role in his life,[97] but has also said that he is, "in some ways, anti-religion".[98]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Tromeo and Juliet | Associate | Yes | Co-written with Lloyd Kaufman Executive in charge of production |
2006 | Slither | Yes | Yes | Feature film directorial debut |
2010 | Super | Yes | Yes | |
2014 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Yes | Yes | Co-written with Nicole Perlman |
2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Yes | Yes | |
2021 | The Suicide Squad | Yes | Yes | |
2023 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | Yes | Yes | |
2025 | Superman | Yes | Yes |
Writer and/or producer only
Year | Title | Writer | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | The Specials | Yes | Associate | |
2002 | Scooby-Doo | Yes | No | Story co-written with Craig Titley |
2004 | Dawn of the Dead | Yes | No | |
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed | Yes | Co-producer | ||
2016 | The Belko Experiment | Yes | Yes | |
2019 | Brightburn | No | Yes | [99] |
N/A | Coyote vs. Acme | Story | Yes | Unreleased Story co-written with Jeremy Slater and Samy Burch |
Executive producer
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2004 | LolliLove | Also uncredited writer |
2018 | Avengers: Infinity War | Also additional dialogue[100][101] |
2019 | Avengers: Endgame |
Other roles
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1999 | Terror Firmer | Based on the book "All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger" by Gunn and Lloyd Kaufman |
2001 | Thirteen Ghosts | Uncredited additional writing[102] |
2013 | Thor: The Dark World | Second unit Director: mid-credit sequence |
2016 | Doctor Strange | Uncredited director: Stan Lee's cameo scene |
2017 | Spider-Man: Homecoming |
Short films
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | Hamster PSA | Yes | Yes | No | |
2004 | Tube | No | Yes | No | |
2008 | Sparky & Mikaela | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web short |
Humanzee! | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
2013 | Beezel | Yes | Yes | No | Segment of Movie 43 |
Acting roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Tromeo and Juliet | Found a peanut father | |
2000 | The Specials | Minute Man | |
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV | Doctor Flem Hocking | ||
2003 | Doggie Tails, Vol. 1: Lucky's First Sleep-Over | Riley | Direct-to-video |
The Ghouls | Detective Cotton | ||
Melvin Goes to Dinner | Scott | ||
2004 | LolliLove | James | |
2006 | Slither | Hank | Uncredited |
2008 | Humanzee! | James | Web short |
2010 | Super | Demonswill | |
2014 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Maskless Sakaaran, Baby Groot | Also CGI actor in end-credits scene[103] |
2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Baby Groot | |
2023 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | Lambshank | Voice cameo[104] |
Television
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive Producer | Creator | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997–2000 | The Tromaville Café | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
2008–2009 | James Gunn's PG Porn | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web series |
2022–present | Peacemaker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Directed 5 episodes |
2022–2023 | I Am Groot | No | No | Season 1 | No | Shorts series Special thanks Season 2 |
2022 | The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Television special |
2024 | Beast Boy: Lone Wolf | No | No | Yes | No | Shorts series |
2024–present | Creature Commandos | Voice director[105] | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Acting roles
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1997 | Sgt. Kabukiman Public Service Announcement | Insane Masturbator |
1997–2000 | The Tromaville Café | Mike the Crazy Boom Guy |
2008–2009 | James Gunn's PG Porn | Various roles |
2013 | Holliston | John Anguish |
2015 | Con Man | Raaker 2.0 |
2022 | Harley Quinn[106] | Himself (voice) |
I Am Groot | Wrist Watch (voice) |
Video games
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2012 | Lollipop Chainsaw | Writer |
2013 | LocoCycle[107] | Actor: Big Arms Chairman |
Theme parks
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Show scenes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2022 | Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Awards and nominations
Year[b] | Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Bram Stoker Award | Best Screenplay | Dawn of the Dead | Nominated | |
2006 | Chainsaw Award | Highest Body Count | Slither | Won | |
2007 | Saturn Awards | The Filmmakers Showcase Award | Won | ||
2014 | Golden Raspberry Award | Worst Screenplay (shared with co-writers) | Movie 43 | Won | [108] |
Worst Director (shared with co-directors) | Won | ||||
2015 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Action Film | Guardians of the Galaxy | Won | [109] |
Grammy Awards | Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 | Nominated | [110] | |
Hollywood Film Awards | Blockbuster of the Year | Guardians of the Galaxy | Won | [111] | |
Hugo Awards | Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form | Won | [112] | ||
Nebula Awards | Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation | Won | [113] | ||
Saturn Awards | Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture | Won | [114] | ||
Best Director | Won | ||||
Best Writing | Nominated | ||||
Writers Guild of America Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay (shared with Nicole Perlman) | Nominated | [115] | ||
2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 | Nominated | [116] |
Saturn Awards | Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Nominated | [117] [118] | |
2022 | Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Comedy | Peacemaker | Nominated | [119] |
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards | Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema | The Suicide Squad | Nominated | [120] | |
Hollywood Critics Association | Best Action Film | Nominated | [121] | ||
Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Superhero Movie | Nominated | [122] | ||
Saturn Awards | Best Superhero Film | Nominated | [123] | ||
2023 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Outstanding Fiction Special | The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special | Won | [124] [125] |
Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Program | Nominated | ||||
Outstanding Short Form Program | I Am Groot | Won |
Bibliography
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1998 | All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from The Toxic Avenger | with Lloyd Kaufman |
2000 | The Toy Collector | |
2003 | Make Your Own Damn Movie: Secrets of a Renegade Director | Introduction only |
See also
Notes
References
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 25, 2022). "James Gunn And Peter Safran Named Co-Chairmen And CEOs Of DC Studios". Deadline. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ "Songwriter/Composer: Gunn, James Francis Jr". Broadcast Music Inc. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ a b "A Star Is Born: James Gunn turns 51 today". Los Angeles Times. August 5, 2017. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ a b "James Gunn Biography". Tribute. Toronto, Canada. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ Vary, Adam B. (May 3, 2017). "Marvel's Dark And Twisted Guardian". BuzzFeed News. BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on June 27, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
[James Gunn] was the oldest of six siblings — five boys, one girl — all born roughly a year apart starting in 1970.
- ^ Peters, Megan (August 5, 2016). "Happy Birthday! James Gunn Is Turning 46 Years Old Today". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "Notable Alumni: SLUH". St. Louis University High School. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
James Gunn '84, filmmaker and screenwriter; Brian Gunn '88, screenwriter; Matt Gunn '90, writer for HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher; Sean Gunn '92, actor.
- ^ a b c Williams, Joe (July 31, 2014). "St. Louis director James Gunn goes galactic". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
Gunn graduated from SLUH in 1984.
- ^ Lovece, Frank (May 4, 2017). "James Gunn says 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' a family affair". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.Additional on May 5, 2017.
- ^ "James Gunn Sr. Obituary (1941 - 2019) St. Louis Post-Dispatch". Legacy.com.
- ^ "How 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' reflects its director's painful childhood - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
- ^ Babka, Allison (August 1, 2014). "5 Weird Things about STL Native and Guardians of the Galaxy Director James Gunn". Riverfront Times. St. Louis, Missouri. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ James Gunn (September 1, 2010). "Facebook Page". Facebook. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ Gunn, James [@jamesgunn] (July 5, 2015). "My brother Brian's dream about Guardians Vol. 2. https://instagram.com/p/4xH3d7IzXG/" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2015 – via Twitter.
- ^ Patrick Gunn profile Archived August 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, qualiacapital.com; accessed December 4, 2014.
- ^ Gunn, James [@jamesgunn] (December 21, 2014). "My sister Beth gave me this as a Christmas gift - a painting by Brendan Wiufff of me as a child with Baby Groot!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2015 – via Twitter.
- ^ Palmer, Jordan (August 5, 2021). "Happy Birthday, James Gunn: The St. Louis filmmaker who conquered both the Marvel and DC movie universe". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (December 22, 2016). "My Dad is from a family of Irish immigrants. Growing up his mother made him clean up not only… https://instagram.com/p/BOVfn-Thdwe/" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Interview with James Gunn (April 4, 2012). The 404 Podcast episode 1047
- ^ "Mac Giolla Dhuinn – Irish Names and Surnames". Library Ireland. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ MacLysaght, Edward (1988). The Surnames of Ireland (Sixth ed.). Irish Academic Press. ISBN 9781911024644. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (May 28, 2016). "I'm part Jewish, brother. In a world of DNA testing, I can't imagine that would be an option for me" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "A Conversation With Director James Gunn". St. Louis Magazine. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ "SCA Network Screening and Q&A: Guardians of the Galaxy > About the Guests". University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. June 30, 2014. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ "Gunn known for his comedy, horror and 'Scooby-Doo'". Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ "About". James Gunn official website. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ "James Gunn ('95) Co-Writes and Directs 'Guardians of the Galaxy'". Columbia University School of the Arts. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ "The Icons". Discogs. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
- ^ "Strike Let St. Louisan James Gunn Widen His Horizons". St. Louis Post Dispatch. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
- ^ "RT's 50 Best-Reviewed Horror Movies". Rotten Tomatoes. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on July 13, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
- ^ "James Gunn & Brutal Legend". The Jace Hall Show. Season 2. Episode 5. April 16, 2009.
- ^ "A Search For Authenticity on the Set of 'Scream Queens' Season 2". BloodyDisgusting. December 30, 2009. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ Michael Fleming (September 20, 2007). "New Regency adopts 'Pets' pitch – James Gunn to write and direct comedy". Variety. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- ^ James Gunn (March 31, 2009). "Re: A Few Things." Retrieved August 5, 2010.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Lesnick, Silas (September 18, 2012). "James Gunn Confirmed to Direct and Rewrite Guardians of the Galaxy". Superherohype.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (February 22, 2015). "Superhero Movies Dissed at Oscars Despite 9 Acting Nominees With Comic Book Roles". TheWrap.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
- ^ Gunn, James (February 23, 2015). "I didn't really find the Jack Black superhero jokes offensive". James Gunn verified Facebook page. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
- ^ Lowe, Kinsey (June 6, 2015). "Brent Sexton Signs Up For 'The Belko Experiment'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ While Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson believed Gunn directed four cameos, Gunn said on social media, "To be honest, I think I only did THREE cameos — one was shot by someone else. And my third probably isn't what you think it is….": "James Gunn directed the next four Stan Lee Marvel cameos". Entertainment Weekly. October 29, 2016. Archived from the original on November 1, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ "And it was definitely one of the most fun times I've ever had on set ..." James Gunn verified Facebook page. October 29, 2016. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ Lovece, Frank (May 4, 2017). "James Gunn says 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' a family affair". Newsday. New York City/Long Island. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
And while he directed the Stan Lee cameo in director Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange, he did not direct the Marvel Comics impresario's cameos in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok or Spider-Man: Homecoming. But, he reveals, 'I did do one that I can't talk about.'
Additional on May 5, 2017. - ^ "Marvel announces 'Guardians of the Galaxy' sequel". yahoo.com. July 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ Rosen, Christopher. "James Gunn comments on directing Stan Lee Marvel cameos". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ "James Gunn". ew.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ "Disney Severs Ties with James Gunn, Former Director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3'". Backlock Magazine. July 20, 2018. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 15, 2019). "Disney Reinstates Director James Gunn For 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 3'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 15, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- ^ Flameing, Mike Jr. (October 9, 2018). "James Gunn Boards Suicide Squad 2 To Write And Possibly Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto; Verhoeven, Beatrice (October 9, 2018). "James Gunn in Talks to Write Suicide Squad 2 for DC, Eyed to Direct (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Mancuso, Vinnie Jr. (January 30, 2019). "James Gunn to direct Suicide Squad 2 for Warner Bros". Collider. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ @jamesgunn (September 23, 2020). "I'm over-the-moon excited to be working on #PEACEMAKER with my pals @JohnCena & #TheSuicideSquad producer Peter Safran on this new @hbomax original series from @warnerbrostv @DCComics" (Tweet). Retrieved September 23, 2020 – via Twitter.[dead link ]
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (December 23, 2020). "Warner Bros. to Release 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Prequel and 'The Color Purple' Musical in Theaters in 2023". Variety. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ Johnny Cullen (August 1, 2011). "Warner to publish Grasshopper's Lollipop Chainsaw". vg247.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
- ^ Lee, Benjamin (July 21, 2018). "Disney fires Guardians of the Galaxy franchise director after offensive tweets". The Guardian. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Bishop, Bryan (July 20, 2018). "James Gunn fired from Guardians of the Galaxy 3 over offensive tweets". The Verge. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Khan, Zubi. "Disney Severs Ties with James Gunn, Former Director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3". Backlot Magazine. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Briers, Michael. "50,000 sign petition for Disney to rehire James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ a b Cavna, Michael (July 23, 2018). "#WeAreGroot: How Hollywood is reacting to James Gunn's Disney firing". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ a b Norkey, Trevor (July 20, 2018). "I Think Disney Firing James Gunn Is Ridiculous & Hypocritical". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ McRady, Rachel (July 23, 2018). "Chris Pratt shares cryptic message amid James Gunn fallout as Zoe Saldana speaks out". Fox News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Hibberd, James (July 23, 2018). "Guardians of the Galaxy star quits Twitter after James Gunn firing". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Neilan, Dan (July 23, 2018). "Guardians actors, 200,000 other people come out in support of James Gunn". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Mandell, Andrea (July 23, 2018). "Chris Pratt quotes Bible, cast fights for 'Guardians' director after Disney firing". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Burks, Robin (August 1, 2018). "Luke Cage Star Mike Colter Offers Support For James Gunn". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- ^ Kohn, Eric (July 23, 2018). "James Gunn Firing: Lloyd Kaufman Assails Disney's 'Sexist, Racist Movies,' Tells Fans to Picket the Studio — Exclusive". IndieWire. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Dan Harmon (February 7, 2019). Harmontown: This Much Funches (Podcast). Harmontown. Event occurs at 01:14:10. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ Chmielewski, Dawn C. (July 23, 2018). "Bobcat Goldthwait Rises In Support Of James Gunn, Asks Disney To Remove His Voice From Park Attraction". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Knoot, Joseph (July 21, 2018). "Disney appeased the alt-right by firing James Gunn—here's why that's a big problem". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 23, 2018). "With James Gunn's Firing, Disney Destroyed the Message of 'Guardians of the Galaxy'". Collider. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ French, David (July 23, 2018). "The Difference between James Gunn and Roseanne Barr". National Review | The Corner. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ Stolworthy, Jacob (July 23, 2018). "Disney executives have let Twitter trolls do their jobs for them by firing James Gunn – and that sets a terrible precedent". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Harris, Mark (July 23, 2018). "Disney Should Know the Difference Between James Gunn and Roseanne". Vulture.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Todd, Andrew (July 23, 2018). "James Gunn's Firing Sets A Worrying Precedent". Birth.Movies.Death. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Jackson, Matthew (July 24, 2018). "Petition for Disney to rehire James Gunn reaches quarter of a million signatures and counting". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "A petition for Disney to rehire James Gunn to direct 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3' has over 250,000 signatures". Business Insider. July 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ Parker, Ryan. "'Guardians of the Galaxy' Stars Respond to James Gunn Firing". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ Lopez, Alex; Stedman, Ricardo (July 30, 2018). "'Guardians of the Galaxy' Cast Says It 'Fully Supports' James Gunn". Variety. Archived from the original on July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 15, 2019). "Disney Reinstates Director James Gunn For 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 3'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 15, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- ^ "BRIGHTBURN – Official Trailer (HD)". YouTube. December 8, 2018. Archived from the original on March 9, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 25, 2022). "How James Gunn & Peter Safran Landed Top Spots At DC Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (October 25, 2022). "DC Shocker: James Gunn, Peter Safran to Lead Film, TV and Animation Division (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Joe Otterson (October 25, 2022). "James Gunn, Peter Safran to Lead DC Studios for Warner Bros. Discovery". Variety. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (November 1, 2022). "DC Has a Chance to Save Superman. Here's What It Needs to Do". Wired. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (December 14, 2022). "James Gunn Writing New 'Superman' Film; Henry Cavill Will Not Return, but Eyed to Play Different DC Character". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (March 15, 2023). "James Gun to Direct Superman: Legacy Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Kit, Borys (January 31, 2023). "DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More From James Gunn, Peter Safran". TheHollywoodReporter. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2023). "'Peacemaker' Spinoff Series 'Waller' With Viola Davis A Go, 'Doom Patrol' Creator Jeremy Carver Joins As Scribe". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2022). "Viola Davis in Talks to Star as Amanda Waller in 'Peacemaker' Spinoff Series at HBO Max". Variety. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- ^ "'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow' Lands June 2026 Release". Variety. May 14, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ Bentz, Adam (June 6, 2022). "Peacemaker Amanda Waller Spinoff Update Shared By James Gunn". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "'Office' actress Fischer, husband separate". Reuters. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- ^ Trowbridge, Cecily (April 30, 2016). "James Gunn Shares Post on Ex Jenna Fischer, Says Not All Failed Relationships Make Enemies". Zimbio.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ Farrell, Paul (July 21, 2018). "Jennifer Holland, James Gunn's Girlfriend: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
- ^ Juneau, Jen (February 21, 2022). "James Gunn Engaged to Peacemaker Star Jennifer Holland — See the Ring!". People. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ Netzley, Sara (September 30, 2022). "Director James Gunn and Peacemaker actress Jennifer Holland marry at ceremony packed with Marvel and DC stars". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ Chris Gardner, "James Gunn Named Person of the Year by PETA," The Hollywood Reporter, 7 December 2023.
- ^ James Tangcay et. al, "James Gunn Named PETA’s 2023 Person of the Year – Film News in Brief," Variety, December 4, 2023.
- ^ "'Guardians of the Galaxy' director defends Chris Pratt's tweet to Kevin Smith after backlash". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Indoor Kids #58 — Everything with James Gunn (NSFW)", The Indoor Kids, The Nerdist Podcast, event occurs at 49:42 to 52:56, August 13, 2012, archived from the original on March 4, 2016, retrieved October 23, 2016
- ^ Couch, Aaron; McClintock, Pamela (October 8, 2018). "Sony Pushes Back James Gunn Horror Movie to 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Holmes, Adam (April 3, 2018). "James Gunn Reportedly Even Wrote Dialogue For Avengers: Infinity War". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ Gunn on Facebook Live as transribed by Mueller, Matthew (February 5, 2017). "James Gunn directed the next four Stan Lee Marvel cameos". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
Am I going to have any involvement with Infinity War, yes, I'm an executive producer on Infinity War.
- ^ Dee, Jake (August 20, 2021). "9 Movies You Didn't Know Were Written By James Gunn". ScreenRant. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Official Motion Picture Soundtrack ZinePak. ZinePak. p. 45.
- ^ Dorsch, Rita (May 4, 2023). "Easter Eggs And References You Missed In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3". Looper. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Rangel, Felipe (January 18, 2024). "James Gunn Reveals Bigger Role In Upcoming DCU Release". ScreenRant. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Burlingame, Russ (March 16, 2022). "James Gunn Making Harley Quinn Season 3 Cameo". Comicbook.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "Twisted Pixel Games: We Make Awesome". Twistedpixelgames.com. November 6, 2013. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "Razzie Awards 2014". IMDb. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Critics' Choice Awards: The Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- ^ O'Mally, Zach (December 5, 2014). "Grammy Nominees 2015: The Full List". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ Blake, Emily. ""Hollywood Film Awards 2014: And the winners are..." Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Here are all the 2015 Hugo Award winners that you can read online, right now, for free". Polygon. August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- ^ Kellogg, Carolyn (June 8, 2015). ""Sci-fi writing's Nebula Awards announced; Jeff Vandermeer takes top prize"". LA Times. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ Blake, Emily. ""2015 Saturn Awards: Captain America: Winter Soldier, Walking Dead lead nominees"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ McNary, Dave. ""Grand Budapest Hotel, True Detective Top WGA Awards"". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie (January 28, 2018). "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. Lynne Segall. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (June 27, 2018). "'Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly. "Nordyke, Kimberly (August 14, 2022). "HCA TV Awards: 'Severance,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Dopesick' Win Top Streaming Awards on Night 2"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Georgia Film Critics Association: 2021 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "'Dune,' 'Coda,' And 'Belfast' Lead The 5th Annual HCA Film Awards Nominations". Hollywood Critics Association. December 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (February 22, 2022). "Critics Choice Super Awards Nominations Include 'Shang-Chi', 'Spider-Man', 'Midnight Mass' & 'Evil'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Tinoco, Armando (August 12, 2022). "Saturn Awards Nominations: 'The Batman', 'Nightmare Alley', 'Spider-Man', 'Better Call Saul' Top List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ "The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Announces the 2nd Annual Children's and Family Emmy Awards Winners" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. December 17, 2023. pp. 3, 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for the 2nd Annual Children's & Family Emmy Awards" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.