James Gunn has been given the challenge of resurrecting the DCU. The movies based on many of the iconic characters from DC Comics have failed to resonate with fans over the past decade. Meanwhile, Disney/Marvel has been able to build an empire on the back of the MCU. Gunn has a plan moving forward, and we’ve started to see some of the fruits of his labor. Gamers have been wondering about the future of video games. WB Games has struggled to get titles off the ground, and when they do release, they are met with mixed results. However, Gunn made it clear that video games are a part of the plan as well.
James Gunn On DCU Video Games
Way back in 2022, James Gunn said that video games would be a part of the plan when answering a social media question. He reaffirmed this today during the DC Studios presentation at IGN FanFest. The Guardians of the Galaxy director and co-chief Peter Safran confirmed they are working closely with CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros., JB Perrette. They also said they are working with developers like NetherRealm Studios and Rocksteady.
This is great news for fans of the DCU and of superheroes in general. The Batman: Arkham games showed that a great trilogy can be done based on a comic book character. DC Comics has plenty of iconic characters that would translate well into a video game. The fact that Gunn is involved is good news as well. He has a history with video games, as he co-wrote Lollipop Chainsaw, which was released in 2012. He and Safran can help shape the narrative direction of the games to make everything feel more cohesive.
What’s Coming? And When?
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t expect anything to be announced anytime soon. It has been reported that Rocksteady is already working on a new Batman game but is years away from hitting shelves. We don’t know if anything is currently in development or where any title is in the development process. However, we do know the upcoming movies in the DCU. Superman will be released this summer and may get a video game down the line.
In 2026, Supergirl and Clayface will appear on the silver screen, though that also seems like a very quick turnaround for video game development. When we look further down the line, there are some interesting characters that would make fun video games. Sgt. Rock, The Authority, Teen Titans, and Swamp Thing all have planned movies down the line in the DCU. If James Gunn is looking to tie in movies and games, any of those characters would work well.
Final Thoughts
When Gunn was hired at DC Studios, it was praised by many, and we are seeing why. He isn’t just focused on one aspect of the company. He understands that a successful franchise depends on different types of media for people to consume. It will be interesting to see what happens down the road for movies and video games in the DC Universe.
