Sunday, April 12, 2026

James Gunn turned down ‘Man Of Steel 2’ in 2018: “I was daunted by the task”

In the world of superhero movies, it’s not uncommon for directors to come and go, leaving behind a trail of what-ifs and missed opportunities. But every now and then, a director’s return to a beloved character or franchise can bring a sense of excitement and anticipation. Such is the case with James Gunn’s upcoming film, ‘The Suicide Squad’, set to be released in 2021.

But what many may not know is that before Gunn was chosen to helm this highly anticipated sequel, he was actually offered the chance to direct ‘Man of Steel 2’ back in 2018. In a recent interview with NME, Gunn revealed that he turned down the opportunity, citing feeling “daunted” by the task.

Gunn’s name has become synonymous with the superhero genre, thanks to his successful work on Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ franchise. So it’s no surprise that Warner Bros. would want him to take on one of their most iconic characters. But despite the allure of working with DC’s flagship hero, Gunn ultimately declined the offer.

In the interview, Gunn explained that he was hesitant to take on the responsibility of directing a sequel to such a beloved and iconic character. He stated, “I was daunted by the task. It was a huge responsibility and I wasn’t sure if I was the right person for the job.”

But as fate would have it, things worked out for the best. In 2018, Gunn was fired by Disney from the third installment of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ due to controversial tweets from his past resurfacing. This led to a public outcry and a petition to reinstate Gunn as director, which gained support from fans and even the cast of the film.

After months of uncertainty, Disney ultimately rehired Gunn for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’. And during this time, Warner Bros. approached him again, this time offering him the chance to direct ‘The Suicide Squad’. This time around, Gunn didn’t hesitate to accept the offer.

It seems that everything happens for a reason, and in this case, it led to the perfect match between director and project. Gunn’s unique style and ability to blend humor with action has made him the perfect fit for ‘The Suicide Squad’. And with his experience in the superhero genre, fans can expect a fresh and exciting take on the team of antiheroes.

The first ‘Suicide Squad’ film, released in 2016, received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. But with Gunn at the helm, there’s no doubt that the sequel will be a vast improvement and a thrilling addition to the DC Extended Universe.

Gunn’s return to the superhero genre has been met with overwhelming support from fans and colleagues alike. And with his track record of delivering blockbuster hits, it’s safe to say that ‘The Suicide Squad’ is in good hands.

In the end, it’s clear that everything worked out for the best. Gunn’s initial hesitation to take on ‘Man of Steel 2’ led to him being available for ‘The Suicide Squad’, a project that seems tailor-made for his talents. And with the film set to be released in 2021, fans can’t wait to see what Gunn has in store for this ragtag group of villains turned heroes.

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