James Gunn and Peter Safran are the head executives for the new and revamped DC. Both of them claim to have many plans to reinstate the glory days of DC. It is going to be an exciting time for DC, with tons of highly anticipated projects taking place in the cinematic universe. Todd Phillips’ Joker 2 or Joker: Folie à Deux is one of them. The audience has not been this hyped about the Joker since Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger collaborated on the role to bring it to life in The Dark Knight. Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger both got an Academy Award for their brilliant portrayals of this complex villain on screen.

James Gunn
James Gunn (image via TWITTER/@THEYEAROFELAN)

Needless to say, Todd Phillips knows what he is doing when it comes to his Joker renaissance. However, recently, James Gunn commented that he gave notes to Todd Phillips for Joker 2, and it did not have the desired effect he probably hoped for on the internet. Netizens started to troll him viciously and took no time to criticize Gunn for his claims.

“He took notes for himself” James Gunn did not get spared by the netizens for claiming he gave notes to Todd Phillips for Joker 2

James Gunn is quite active on social media, and fans get many peeks at the behind-the-scenes of DC as well as new updates from his social media interactions. Gunn recently took to Threads to announce that he has watched Todd Phillips’ Joker 2. He commented that:

“Todd had Joker in full swing by the time we came onboard – I’ve watched and given notes, but it is mostly WB, where it started. Everything forward in live-action we’re involved with.” 

James & Sean Gunn
James & Sean Gunn (Image via. WIRED)

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Although James Gunn is an extremely talented director himself, Todd Phillips had several Oscar nominations for his first Joker and gained massive critical appreciation. It is a huge feat for a comic book-based movie since Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. So, many did not take James Gunn’s comment kindly. A lot of people thought of it as his way of getting the credit he did not deserve. Many even said sarcastically that he was the one taking notes to improve his films. Check out some of the fan reactions below: 

Also Read: “This is 100% not true”: James Gunn Breaks Silence on Pom Klementieff’s DCU Debut in Superman Legacy Rumors

Joker: Folie à Deux will star Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, or Joker, and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Lady Gaga previously appeared in A Star Is Born and House of Gucci, both of which were smash hits. The audience is holding their breath to see what Todd Phillips brings with such an excellent cast the second time around. 

James Gunn speaks out against “meaningless cameos” in recent superhero films that serve no purpose

James Gunn’s Superman Legacy has undoubtedly one of the biggest casts so far, and it has not even been fully revealed yet. He recently took to Threads to say that the cast is not comprised of meaningless cameos that only occupy the screen for a few seconds. He particularly stressed that he will be building a universe, and therefore the inclusion of these characters is necessary.

“The whole point was it’s NOT a large film — I mean, not in terms of cast. It’s normal for single protagonist films to have other characters — much more unusual for them not to.”

James Gunn with his crew
James Gunn with his crew (Image via. Warner Bros)

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Gunn then added that the meaningless cameo culture in superhero movies is actually hurting the genre and creating fatigue among the audience:


“I call that ‘Cameo P*rn’ and it has been one of the worst elements of recent superhero films. If a character is in film, they have to have a reason to be there story-wise. I don’t mind actual cameos — if it’s a glimpse or a moment, an Easter egg. What bothers me is when they mangle an elegant story by shoehorning characters in — they aren’t there because the story calls for it, but for some other reason.”

James Gunn’s comment can be seen as a very important one amidst all the flops superhero movies are going through this year, including The Flash, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, and The Marvels.

Joker 2 is expected to release on October 4, 2024.

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