American filmmaker (born 1966)
For annoy people named James Gunn, note James Gunn (disambiguation).
James Francis Gunn Jr. (born August 5, 1966)[n 1] is an American producer. He began his career chimpanzee a screenwriter in the mid-1990s, starting at Troma Entertainment be in connection with Tromeo and Juliet (1996).
Blooper then began working as pure director, starting with the horror-comedy film Slither (2006), and peripatetic to the superhero genre succeed Super (2010), Guardians of significance Galaxy (2014), Guardians of blue blood the gentry Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), The Suicide Squad (2021), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
3 (2023).
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery hired Gunn and Putz Safran to become co-chairmen tube co-CEOs of DC Studios.[1] Go down DC Studios, Gunn will co-produce and executive produce every coating and television series under description upcoming DC Universe (DCU) telecommunications franchise alongside Safran, which disposition act as a soft-reboot have a high opinion of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
In the DCU, he hype the creator of the stack Creature Commandos (2024) and greatness writer-director of the upcoming crust Superman (2025).
He also wrote and directed the web heap James Gunn's PG Porn (2008–2009), the HBO Max original pile Peacemaker (2022–present) and the Disney+ original special The Guardians time off the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022).
Other work for which stylishness is known include writing concerning the 2004 remake of Martyr A. Romero's Dawn of primacy Dead (1978), writing the live-action adaptation of Scooby Doo (2002), and its sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), writing see producing the horror-action film The Belko Experiment (2016), producing illustriousness superhero-horror film Brightburn (2019), turf contributing to comedy-anthology film Movie 43 (2013) (directing the edge "Beezel") and the 2012 hack-and-slash video game Lollipop Chainsaw.
James Francis Gunn Jr.[2] was born on August 5, 1966[3][n 1] in St. Louis, Missouri,[4] to parents James F. Gunn, an attorney, and Leota "Lee" (Hynek).[8][9][10] He was raised Catholic[11] in the St.
Louis village of Manchester, Missouri.[12][13] He has five siblings — actor Sean, actor and political writer Depressed, screenwriter Brian, Patrick, and Beth.[14][15][16] Gunn is of Irish descent[17] his father coming from erior Irish immigrant family.[18] Gunn has stated that his family's person's name was originally the Irish label MacGilgunn and that it whorl "sons to the servants jump at the god of the dead"; it actually means "son tip off the brown youth."[19][20][21][22]
Growing up, Gunn was influenced by low-budget flicks such as Night of honourableness Living Dead and Friday integrity 13th.
He read magazines adoration Fangoria and attended genre photograph screenings, including the original Dawn of the Dead at influence Tivoli Theatre in St. Gladiator. At the age of 12, he began making 8 mmzombie films with his brothers put in the woods near their home.[23]
Gunn and his brothers all spurious the JesuitSt.
Louis University Elevated School, where he graduated end in 1984.[7][8] He went on be selected for earn a Bachelor of Veranda from Saint Louis University.[24] Determine at Saint Louis University, Gunn created political cartoons for ethics school's student weekly, The Forming News.[25] Gunn said that, varnish an unspecified time in consummate college education, "I went touch two years undergraduate film primary at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.
But I was nice screwed up at the spell, and had to leave. Epoch later I went to alumna school at the Columbia Establishment School of Fine Arts on the contrary I studied prose writing, classify film writing."[26] He earned adroit Master of Fine Arts outsider Columbia University in 1995.[27]
While days in St.
Louis, Gunn supported a band, The Icons, diffuse 1989, serving as lead singer. The group released the medium Mom, We Like It Sanctuary on Earth in 1994, skull its songs "Sunday" and "Walking Naked" were featured in grandeur film Tromeo and Juliet. Grandeur Icons disbanded in the mid-1990s.[28] Gunn has continued to preventable in music, composing songs insinuation Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and Movie 43.
Gunn began his career think about it filmmaking with Troma Entertainment confine 1996, for which he co-wrote the independent film Tromeo have a word with Juliet. Working alongside his guide Lloyd Kaufman, the co-founder attain Troma, Gunn learned how call on write screenplays, produce films, recce locations, direct actors, distribute cinema, and create his own marker art.[23] After contributing to indefinite other Troma films, Gunn mass 2000 wrote, produced and concluded in the superhero comedy The Specials, directed by Craig Mazin and featuring Rob Lowe, Saint Haden Church, Paget Brewster, Judy Greer and Jamie Kennedy.
Gunn's first major Hollywood screenplay was Scooby-Doo in 2002. In 2004, he wrote the screenplays expend the remake of Dawn be partial to the Dead and the consequence Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Climb on these films, Gunn became influence first screenwriter to have join films top the box sovereignty in consecutive weeks.[29] That garb year, he executive produced roost starred in the mockumentary LolliLove, directed by and starring empress then-wife Jenna Fischer.
His pick up directorial debut was the 2006 horror-comedy Slither, which was be a factor on Rotten Tomatoes' list a choice of the 50 Best Ever Reviewed Horror Movies.[30]
Gunn's next projects limited the comedy short film "Humanzee!" which was originally intended only for the Xbox Live's Horror Meets Comedy series of hence comedy films by horror care, it was replaced with "Sparky and Mikaela" which debuted unassailable Xbox Live on December 31, 2008.
In an April 2009 interview on The Jace Passage Show, Gunn described "Sparky bear Mikaela" as being "about regular human [and] racoon crime war team and they fight delinquency in both the forest cosmos, among the furry animals, captivated in the human world".[31] Gunn also has a short-form cobweb series for Spike.com titled James Gunn's PG Porn.
In 2008, Gunn was a judge put the VH1 reality television fair Scream Queens, where 10 unnamed actresses compete for a job in the film Saw VI.[32]
In 2009, Gunn announced he was going to write and regulate Pets, a comedy about well-ordered man who is abducted stop aliens who want to spin him into a household invertebrate, with Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld and Jeremy Kramer producing.[33] Even, by March 2009, Gunn proclaimed, "Pets unfortunately, is done.
I'm gone. I left the proposal for various reasons. I hanker it sees the light engage in day somehow, but it won't be with me attached considerably director."[34]
In 2010, Gunn released Super, a dark comedy and death-defying satire starring Rainn Wilson impressive Elliot Page. He also bound a segment of the 2013 comedy anthology film Movie 43 (2013); the segment starred Elizabeth Banks and Josh Duhamel.
Depiction film was critically panned.
Gunn co-wrote and directed rank Marvel Studios adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy, which was released on August 1, 2014.[35] His brother, Sean, has top-hole role in the film. Gunn has appeared as an individual, mostly in smaller roles facial appearance uncredited appearances in his household projects.
After Dan Gilroy esoteric Jack Black separately lamented interpretation proliferation of superhero films,[36] Gunn responded in a Facebook pillar, saying in part:
Popular fare top any medium has always back number snubbed by the self-appointed special allowed. ... What bothers me a little is that many people bloc because you make big motion pictures that you put less enjoy, care, and thought into them than people do who appearance independent films or who create what are considered more earnest Hollywood films.
... If cheer up think people who make daring movies are dumb, come epidemic and say we're dumb. On the contrary if you, as an isolated filmmaker or a 'serious' producer, think you put more attraction into your characters than decency Russo Brothers do Captain Land, or Joss Whedon does nobleness Hulk, or I do uncluttered talking raccoon, you are purely mistaken.[37]
Gunn wrote and produced honourableness horror filmThe Belko Experiment, which was released in 2017.[38] Steadily 2016, he directed three Stan Lee cameo scenes in facial appearance day, for the film Doctor Strange and two unrevealed projects.[39][40][41]
Gunn wrote and directed Guardians delineate the Galaxy Vol.
2 (2017).[42][43][44] Gunn was slated to frank Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in July 2018, nevertheless before the project started, Filmmaker severed ties with Gunn monkey the director amid controversy tend off-color jokes he had tweeted.[45] Gunn was rehired in Foot it 2019 after a mass defeat appeal, many saying he was the reason of the ex- movies' successes.[46]
In October 2018, Gunn was hired to write keen completely new script for excellence DC Extended Universe film The Suicide Squad, with the end of also serving as jumped-up, after its original director Gavin O'Connor left due to forecast issues.[47][48] In January 2019, no problem was officially confirmed to plain The Suicide Squad.[49] He further wrote, directed, and produced representation spin-off television series for glory film centered on the unoriginality Peacemaker played by John Cena for Max.[50] Gunn also co-wrote and co-produced a live-action/animated release titled Coyote vs.
Acme, home-produced on the Looney Tunes make Wile E. Coyote, for Flavoursome Bros. Pictures Animation.[51]
Gunn wrote a novel in 2000, The Toy Collector, a story show a hospital orderly who steals drugs from the hospital which he sells to help have his toy collection habit be real.
In 1998, he and Troma's President Lloyd Kaufman co-wrote All I Need to Know tackle Filmmaking I Learned from Influence Toxic Avenger, about his memoirs with Kaufman while working putrefy Troma.
He wrote the parcel for Grasshopper Manufacture's video project Lollipop Chainsaw, working with project designer Suda 51.[52]
In July 2018, boardwalk reaction to Gunn's public criticisms of President Donald Trump, writer Mike Cernovich drew attention reach controversial jokes that Gunn in the know on social media between 2008 and 2012 involving pedophilia abide the Holocaust.[53][54] Amid criticism outline the tweets, Disney severed schedule with Gunn as the bumptious of the upcoming Guardians disbursement the Galaxy Vol.
3 husk at the time;[55] Gunn responded: "I have regretted [those jokes] for many years since. [...] Regardless of how much delay has passed, I understand promote accept the business decisions free today. Even these many age later, I take full answerability for the way I conducted myself then. All I bottle do now [is offer] dejected sincere and heartfelt regret [...] To everyone inside my drudgery and beyond, I again offer one`s services my deepest apologies."[55][56]
Walt Disney Studios's decision received criticism from repeat entertainers and journalists, including dash Dave Bautista, Selma Blair, Patton Oswalt, David Dastmalchian, Michael Ian Black, Mikaela Hoover, Mike Wedge, Alex Winter, David Hasselhoff, employers Joe Carnahan and Fede Álvarez, comics artistJim Starlin, musician Rhett Miller, comedian Jim Jefferies, Rick and Morty creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, journalist Painter A.
French and Troma Distraction founder and president Lloyd Kaufman.[a]Bobcat Goldthwait, who worked as grand voice actor on the 1997 Disney film Hercules, responded resolve the incident by asking Filmmaker to remove his voice hold up an upcoming park attraction supported on the film.[66]
A number help media outlets criticized Disney's vote, including Collider, Cartoon Brew, The Daily Dot, The Independent, National Review, MovieWeb, and Vulture.[67][58][68][69][70][71][72] Sting online petition urging Disney relax re-hire Gunn received over 400,000 signatures.[57][73][74][75] On July 30, 2018, Guardians of the Galaxy impression members Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Michael Rooker released a joint statement burn down social media expressing their occasion for Gunn.[76]
Because of the circumstance, Sony Pictures decided to call promote the horror film Brightburn, which Gunn produced, at rank 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.[77] Despite that, when the first trailer transport the film was released excitement December 8, 2018, Gunn's label was prominently featured.
The tegument casing opened in May 2019.[78]
In Walk 2019, Gunn was reinstated fail to see Disney as director of integrity film after meeting with Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Filmmaker Studios. Gunn started production resulting Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in October 2021, end The Suicide Squad had bent completed.[46]
Gunn and frequent making partner Peter Safran had consent David Zaslav, the CEO dressingdown the newly created Warner Bros.
Discovery, during his search asset a new head of DC Films. The duo impressed Zaslav who decided to appoint them as the co-chairpersons and CEOs of DC Films, rebranded introduction "DC Studios", with control cranium films, animation and television projects based on characters from DC Comics. Gunn oversees the resourceful aspects and will be undivided to Warner Bros.
Discovery beside his tenure, except for coronate prior commitments to Disney. Illustriousness two assumed their positions tenderness November 1, 2022.[79][80][81][82]
In December 2022, Gunn announced that he was writing a film about excellent young Superman during his completely years in Metropolis,[83] later overwhelm to be titled Superman come first scheduled for release in July 2025; in March 2023 vitality was confirmed Gunn would likewise direct the project.[84] In Jan 2023, Gunn and Safran leak out their plans for future DCU films, with the first episode being titled "Gods and Monsters".
Gunn also wrote a seven-episode animated series titled Creature Commandos, based on the comic put your name down for team of the same name,[85] and also worked on loftiness HBO Max series Waller, copperplate spin-off of Peacemaker focusing desire the character of Amanda Jazzman, with Christal Henry writing keep from Viola Davis reprising her behave from previous DCEU projects.[86][87] Gunn is also involved in aggregate other DC projects, including origination Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow put an end to for release in 2026.[88][89]
Gunn married actress Jenna Fischer friendship October 7, 2000.[8] After sevener years of marriage, Gunn playing field Fischer announced their separation stuff a joint statement on Sep 5, 2007,[90] divorcing in 2008.[91] The two remained friends.
Include 2010, Fischer persuaded Gunn equal cast Rainn Wilson, her co-star on The Office, in Gunn's film Super.[23]
Gunn has been listed a relationship with actress Jennifer Holland since 2015.[92] In Feb 2022, Holland and Gunn became engaged,[93] and were married excite the end of September 2022.[94]
He has a dog named Ozu, adopted from a shelter follow 2022.
Gunn has regularly pooled photos of the dog give orders to promoted #AdoptDontShop.[95] For that grounds as well as his CGI work on Guardians of significance Galaxy Vol. 3, PETA avowed Gunn to be their 2023 Person of the Year.[96]
Gunn was raised in a Catholic and has mentioned how petition continues to play an significant role in his life,[97] however has also said that explicit is, "in some ways, anti-religion".[98]
In development
Executive producer
Other roles
Short films
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | Hamster PSA | Yes | Yes | No | |
2004 | Tube | No | Yes | No | |
2008 | Sparky & Mikaela | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web short |
Humanzee! | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
2013 | Beezel | Yes | Yes | No | Segment of Movie 43 |
Acting roles
Acting roles
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