James Gunn CAN'T STOP TALKING

DCU Continuity and Standalone Stories

The presenters argue that the DCU’s continuity is confusing, partly because James Gunn frequently responds to online questions and revisits earlier statements. They criticize the decision to treat The Suicide Squad as mostly canon while leaving details—such as Harley Quinn’s place in the new universe—uncertain. In their view, carrying selected characters and stories forward invites audiences to question what counts as canon. A clean restart, or more standalone films, could make the franchise easier to follow.

They also note a perceived tension between Gunn’s stated goal of unifying DC across film, television, games, and animation and his more recent comments that stories need not all connect. The panel favors letting individual projects stand on their own rather than making every project feel like setup for a larger universe.

Clayface: Performance and Prospects

The panel discusses Clayface’s performance and prospects. They suggest that its horror-focused marketing may attract viewers who are not following DC, while potentially disappointing some comic fans who wanted more of Clayface as an established character.

They discuss the film’s A-minus CinemaScore, its Halloween timing, the possibility of a horror-style second-weekend drop, and estimates that it might need roughly $160–165 million to break even. They criticize fans and promotional accounts for emphasizing the film’s low budget and potential to recoup costs rather than its quality.

David Ayer’s Suicide Squad

The presenters say they would like to see David Ayer’s version of Suicide Squad, particularly to better understand Jared Leto’s Joker performance. They also discuss how the film’s release circumstances and marketing may have affected its reception.

The Brave and the Bold and the Bat-Family

The presenters question the status of The Brave and the Bold and argue that DC should make greater use of the Bat-family. They mention audience interest in characters such as Nightwing and Red Hood, speculate that Damian Wayne may be favored for Gunn’s Batman plans, and compare live-action portrayals with animated adaptations and shows including Titans, Gotham, and Smallville.

Presenters and Contributors

• Brett Dasovic
• Mary (Mary Archived)