VIDEO: James Gunn on ‘Man of Tomorrow’s’ Villain, How John Cena Landed ‘Peacemaker,’ and the Future of DC Studios
“Superman” director and DC Studios co-head makes his Stern Show debut to promote “Peacemaker” Season 2
September 10, 2025
Writer. Director. Producer. Composer and lead vocalist. Video game developer. Studio executive. James Gunn — the creator of HBO’s hit series “Peacemaker,” the filmmaker behind this summer’s acclaimed “Superman” revival, and the co-CEO of DC Studios — has quite an assortment of prestigious roles and responsibilities these days. But when the screenwriter turned Hollywood mogul made his Stern Show debut he told Howard that above all else he still prides himself on being a storyteller.
“My first love is not movies. It’s just stories,” said Gunn, who called into the show Wednesday morning to discuss a variety of upcoming projects, including “Peacemaker” Season 2. “I love stories, and I don’t care what form those stories take — whether it’s comic books or movies or video games or television shows — I just love telling stories … and creating characters … and I find it endlessly fascinating.”
Howard, a lifelong lover of comic books, had a litany of pressing questions for Gunn, who got his start scripting schlocky B-movies, segued into writing and directing cult classics like “Slither” and “Super,” and then became a household name after adapting Marvel’s relatively obscure “Guardians of the Galaxy” comics into a massively popular, multi-billion-dollar film trilogy.
“I liked ‘Star Wars’ and wanted to make a space opera,” James said of what he was trying to do with the “Guardians” films.
In 2022, Gunn was hired to run Marvel Studios’ biggest rival, DC Studios, where he now oversees the creative development of the company’s entire film and TV slate. Part of his job, he told Howard, is working closely with the people who created some of the world’s most iconic heroes and villains. “We pay attention to the guys that created these characters,” he said. “Since I’ve taken over DC, all the comic book writers and artists — I meet with them all the time, they’re invited to all the premieres, [and] … we ask for their advice on what we do with the future storylines and all of that. I like them to be included in all of this.”
As much work as that entails, James is still carving out time for passion projects of his own, like “Peacemaker,” which stars wrestler-turned-actor John Cena and just returned for Season 2. As James told Howard on Wednesday, he originally had someone else in mind to play the title character.
“It was [written for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star] Dave Bautista, who is a good friend of mine,” he said before explaining Bautista turned the part down to focus on his film career.
That’s when James thought of Cena. “I had always been a fan of John’s, since ‘Trainwreck’ especially — I thought he was so, so funny in that movie that I met with him. We talked. We became instant, instant friends,” he said, adding, “He is a fantastic guy, a fantastic actor.”
“I can’t wait for people to see the rest of the season,” Gunn continued, adding, “Really, I think I love the ‘Peacemaker’ show more than anything else I’ve ever done.”
Howard was also eager to learn new details about Gunn’s recently announced Superman sequel, “Man of Tomorrow,” which sees the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) and his arch-enemy Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) returning for an all-new adventure.
“It is a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together, to a certain degree, against a much, much bigger threat,” Gunn said. “It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie.”
While Lex Luthor may be a larger-than-life supervillain, Gunn believed his motivations and hatred for Superman are simple to understand. “I relate to the character of Lex Luthor, sadly,” he said. “Three years ago, before Superman came along, he was considered the greatest guy in the world … and then in one fell swoop this guy comes in — wearing a silly costume, with dimples, a charming smile, and a great chin — and he’s forgotten.”
“Man of Tomorrow” is due out in 2027, but before that fans can look forward to a full-length “Supergirl” film.
“We’re editing it right now,” Gunn said of the movie, which stars “House of the Dragon” actress Milly Alcock as Superman’s Kryptonian cousin, Kara Zor-El. “[She] might be the best bit of casting I’ve ever done in my entire life. I think she’s absolutely stunning in the movie,” Gunn said of Milly before teasing details about a couple other projects, including Damon Lindelof’s upcoming Green Lantern series and “Clayface,” a 2026 film written by Mike Flanagan.
“Clayface is a Batman foe in the comics,” Gunn told Howard. “It is a hardcore, R-rated body-horror film but within the same universe as Superman.”
Their wide-ranging conversation ultimately covered everything from Bat-Mite and Mister Mxyzptlk to how Richard Christy’s parents influenced “Superman.” Before calling it a day, however, Gunn made a point of telling Howard how much coming on the show meant to him:
“10 years ago, I told my publicist [there] are two things on my bucket list, only two things … I want to be on the cover of Cigar Aficionado — which I did [several] years ago — and I want to be on the Howard Stern Show. So, now you’ve made my bucket list. I’m done. If I die tomorrow I’m perfectly fine, and I appreciate being here.”
“It’s an honor to have you on,” Howard responded.
“Peacemaker” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. E.T. / 6 p.m. PT on HBO Max.
