3 Movies You Didn’t Know Were Directed by James Gunn

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James Gunn is a major player in Hollywood, and Warner Bros. Discovery has placed a lot of trust in him and Peter Safran, giving them creative control over DC films. That trust has already proven worthwhile, with *Superman* becoming a big hit in 2025 and *Peacemaker* receiving rave reviews. Gunn is now working on his next film, *Man of Tomorrow*, which will feature an unlikely team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor as they confront a new, powerful enemy threatening the DC Universe.

James Gunn worked for years before he had the chance to direct major superhero films for DC or Marvel. He spent a long time writing screenplays, including the live-action *Scooby-Doo* and Zack Snyder’s *Dawn of the Dead*. Eventually, he became a director and quickly found success. Here are three movies you might be surprised to learn he directed.

3) Slither

James Gunn made his big directorial debut in 2006. After writing a couple of well-received horror-tinged movies, he decided to create something of his own with Slither, a film about an alien invasion that turns into a zombie outbreak. Instead of taking the genre too seriously, Gunn aimed for a deliberately over-the-top and fun approach with Slither, a style that would become a hallmark of his filmmaking.

What sets *Slither* apart from other similar movies is its location. Instead of a big city where escaping feels hopeless, the story takes place in a small town where unexpected events are rare. While the movie’s funny characters are memorable, it’s important to note the impressive special effects, especially considering the film’s limited budget.

2) Super

Before becoming the head of DC Studios, James Gunn was well-known for directing the *Guardians of the Galaxy* movies. Marvel hired him because he had a background in similar types of films. In 2010, he directed the comedy *Super*, which featured Rainn Wilson (known from *The Office*) and Elliot Page (who also starred in *X-Men: The Last Stand*).

Rather than celebrating self-appointed heroes, the film *Super* explores the troubling consequences of taking the law into your own hands, much like *Kick-Ass*. Wilson, the character known as Crimson Bolt, thinks he’s helping people, but he’s actually acting selfishly and endangering others. The film’s complex conclusion demonstrates why James Gunn has become a significant figure in the superhero movie genre.

1) Movie 43

The film *Movie 43* is infamous for being a critical failure – almost no one associated with it wants to be remembered for it. It’s consistently ranked among the worst movies ever made. Luckily, James Gunn had a minimal role, only directing a short scene after the credits, which many viewers likely didn’t even see.

James Gunn contributed a segment to *Movie 43* featuring Beezel, an animated cat overly attached to its owner, Anson. Anson’s girlfriend, Amy, attempts to separate them, but suffers a rather unpleasant consequence. Though not Gunn’s most hilarious work, his segment is at least coherent, which isn’t true for everything in *Movie 43* – the scene with Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet in the restaurant, for example, is particularly disjointed.

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2025-10-07 20:44