As the co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn is the primary architect behind a massive slate of upcoming superhero content, ranging from the high-stakes Superman to the animated Creature Commandos. While Gunn maintains a professional balance across the entire “blue brand” portfolio, a recent admission from his inner circle suggests that one specific anti-hero story holds a unique place in his heart.
A Peek Into the Director’s Soul
During the 53rd Saturn Awards, actress Jennifer Holland accepted a trophy for the hit series Peacemaker and gave fans a look at her husband’s real thoughts.
She explained that even though James Gunn works with the most famous heroes in the world, the wild and messy world of Peacemaker is his favorite child. She mentioned that he would probably never say this out loud because he has to lead the entire studio, but the personal connection is definitely there.
“I have a little window into [James Gunn’s] soul. I just want to say something that I know that he would not admit in the same way that a parent wouldn’t admit they had a favorite child. I know ‘Peacemaker’ is his favorite child. That’s the truth; he’ll deny it if you ever ask him to confirm, but it’s true.”
Holland said the show is the best example of Gunn’s style because it mixes dark comedy with a very real story about people. The series recently won the Saturn Award for Best Superhero Television Series, beating out big names like Daredevil: Born Again and Invincible. This win shows that the project Gunn cares about most is also a huge hit with the fans and critics.
This “favorite” status has sparked a wave of ironic backlash on X from fans who joke that Gunn would “torture” his beloved character so brutally throughout the second season if he truly cared for him. Many viewers pointed out that the storyline’s dark turn toward psychological trauma and interdimensional imprisonment was obvious from the start, suggesting that Gunn’s version of “tough love” for Christopher Smith is simply a high-stakes way to anchor the future of the DCU.
The fallout from these events is already set to impact the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. While there is no official news on a third season yet, it is clear that this character is a cornerstone of Gunn’s vision for the new DCU. Fans are now waiting to see how the story continues in future movies and whether Christopher Smith can survive the “love” his creator has planned for him. By turning smaller characters into major stars, the studio is building a much more diverse world for the fans.