James Gunn is one of the most prominent directors in Hollywood right now. Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy for MCU was one of the highlights of his career but before landing a job to helm a movie, the writer/director broke into Hollywood with his penmanship. Gunn, ahead of his most ambitious and anticipated DC movie Superman starring David Corenswet which will also mark the beginning of his DC tenure alongside Peter Safran, shared details of his struggling days in Hollywood.
James Gunn Shared Details Of His Struggle Breaking Into Hollywood
James Gunn is not just a prominent director, he has also had DC studios under his wings as he was appointed as the co-CEO of the studio with Peter Safran. Of course, Gunn is pretty serious about reforming the DC Universe as he announced a new dawn of the superhero franchise as it was sinking at the box office. Warner Brothers and Gunn go way back, in fact, the director’s first big gig was with the studio for a film that was never made.
As Gunn shares most of his updates regarding movies or almost any fan queries on Threads, the director recently shared details of the beginning of his career and gave some valuable advice for budding screenwriters. “I wrote a bunch of screenplays until I got to one I truly loved,” Gunn wrote on the platform responding to a fan’s query about landing on his first agent.
“And that other people I trusted as readers loved. I gave that screenplay to everyone I knew. This was 1998 before viral internet sensations but the script (The Specials) became viral in Hollywood. Eventually it made its way to Jamie Kennedy who gave it to Peter Safran, who was a manager at the time. It was made into a troubled film which didn’t help me,” he added.
Adding further Gunn shared, “Peter got it to Fox, who hired me to write a sitcom pilot, and Jay Roach, who hired me to write a Warner Bros script (Spy Vs Spy), neither of which was made, but WB liked it so hired me to write Scooby-Doo. I was an overnight sensation after ten nonstop years of working my ass. (Big thanks to Jamie Kennedy btw.)”
So, it is fair to assume that WB putting a huge responsibility on Gunn is no coincidence as presumably, the director has maintained a good relationship with the studio for them to trust Gunn with the DC Universe.
James Gunn Has Another Advice For Budding Screenwriters
Los Angeles is the dream place of many budding filmmakers and screenwriters as there is an inherent belief that one must be there to break into Hollywood. Gunn, sharing his experience, straightway refuted that.
“People can write or direct movies from anywhere (I live in Georgia and Colorado),” Gunn responded on Threads. “But do I think, especially as a director or writer, you give yourself the best chance if you can move to LA? Definitely. Especially if you’re starting out. Moving to LA I made many of the same filmmaker friends I have today and we’ve supported each other over the years in every way.”
He adds, “I didn’t make big inroads in Hollywood until moving from NYC to LA way back when. As an actor I think the question is more nuanced, and it’s changed over the years, and I’d be curious what working actor friends on here say about it. But I think it COULD be best, when first starting out, to be where they do more filming and there are more opportunities to work as a local – places like Atlanta or Vancouver or London.”
Gunn’s Filmmaking 101 might help budding filmmakers to have a perspective in their life to follow their passion. Right now, the director is busy with his upcoming movie Superman.
Superman is scheduled for July 11, 2025 release.
