James Gunn Says He Might Stick To Only TV Shows After Peacemaker
Following his experience of working on Peacemaker, James Gunn suggests he might stick to doing television shows. Gunn’s movies run the gamut, from memorably weird films to big superhero blockbusters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But one of his most-anticipated projects is the HBO Max series Peacemaker, which will premiere in 2022.
The series stars John Cena in the title role. After making his debut in Gunn’s Suicide Squad sequel, Peacemaker is set to explore the origins of the main character. The show, which will be written by Gunn, who also directed several of its episodes, has assembled its cast and already begun its promotion. In new remarks, Gunn sheds light on just how much he’s enjoyed creating and spearheading a television show.
During an interview with Collider, Gunn spoke about his inspirations for Peacemaker. The director also teased that, after his experience of working on the upcoming HBO Max series, he might only work on television shows moving forward. “I love doing Peacemaker,” Gunn said. “I could see just making TV shows after Guardians 3. It’s a possibility.”
As he indicates in his remarks, Gunn is still attached to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The third installment of the MCU franchise is slated for release in 2023. Gunn is also attached as one of the co-writers on the upcoming Wile E. Coyote movie. But, after that, Gunn can fully turn his attention to the small screen. Though he doesn’t mention what about the TV format draws him in, Gunn’s previous comments could potentially be illuminating. He’d listed Better Call Saul as one of his inspirations for Peacemaker, and it’s not difficult to see why. Although the two dramas seem different at first glance, both protagonists have difficult relationships with family members that doubt them and think less of them. It’s possible that Gunn enjoyed the space afforded to him to explore that dynamic and its ramifications. As a medium, television typically allows for more of the kind of character-building than the big screen just by virtue of its format.
While much has been written about Hollywood’s biggest stars appearing on television shows, the same is true for creatives behind the camera. Luca Guadagnino, the director of Call Me By Your Name, spoke positively of his experience helming the HBO drama We Are Who We Are. Other notable film directors, from Jordan Peele to J.J. Abrams, have also backed projects on the small screen while continuing to work on feature films. If Gunn decides to stick to television after Peacemaker, it should be interesting to see which stories he chooses to tell and how they would differ from the movies that he’s most well-known for.
Source: Collider