James Gunn Criticizes Disney's Marvel Content Strategy

James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios and former Marvel director, attributes the decline in the movie industry to studios launching productions without completed scripts and prioritizing content quotas over quality. He specifically criticized Disney’s mandate for Marvel Studios to rapidly increase output, claiming this led to audience fatigue and a drop in quality, though he clarified he did not mean Marvel was finished but that the approach was damaging. Gunn has implemented a rule at DC Studios that projects only proceed with finalized screenplays, resulting in some being scrapped if not ready. He contrasts this with Marvel’s prior practices and emphasizes DC’s focus on quality over quotas. Industry data indicates a broader decline in theatrical attendance and box office revenue since 2019, worsened by the pandemic and changing viewing habits. Both Marvel and DC are now moving toward fewer, higher-quality releases, with DC’s upcoming projects like 'Superman' reflecting this shift.