James Gunn’s DCU in Jeopardy as Paramount Signals Major Political Shift To MAGA

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A recent Variety report reveals that Paramount, led by David Ellison, is focusing on creating content specifically geared towards American audiences, particularly those in the heartland.

World of Reel notes that the report even frames the future Paramount as potentially MAGA-friendly.

Paramount is also positioned to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

If the studio’s new leaders prioritize content reflecting patriotic and traditional values, James Gunn’s vision for DCU might not align with their goals. Gunn has often clashed with conservatives online and is known for a controversial approach, which contrasts sharply with the direction these new leaders seem to be taking.

Paramount’s Shift Toward Middle-America Audiences

Variety reports that Ellison is steering the studio towards content appealing to audiences beyond major coastal cities. This shift is evident in choices like hosting UFC at the White House, emphasizing action-packed franchises with patriotic themes, and prioritizing the interests of middle America, all of which suggest a more conservative and nationalistic approach.

If Paramount buys WBD, as we suggested, that tone would carry over to Warner Bros. and DC.

Given the current situation, they likely wouldn’t want a DC leader who’s known for disagreeing with conservative viewpoints and injecting political messages into superhero narratives.

Gunn’s Politics Clash With the Reported New Direction

James Gunn frequently clashed with conservative groups online. This led to his dismissal from Disney in 2018 after old tweets containing jokes about sensitive and harmful topics like pedophilia and rape were brought to light.

But right now the bigger problem is the tone in his DC work.

Peacemaker Season 2 featured a storyline equating our world and a Nazi universe.

The show also included LGBTQ+ characters who made fun of Jesus, which upset many viewers. Fans felt this was divisive and offensive, especially given what they saw as a pattern of the show avoiding clear moral stances. As a result, Peacemaker Season 2 saw a nearly 40% drop in viewership and was ultimately canceled.

Gunn’s Superman film stirred discussion about potential connections to the Israel-Palestine conflict, a topic covered by Variety. This isn’t objective storytelling. Similar themes are present in Creature Commandos and will also appear in the upcoming Supergirl movie and Lanterns TV series.

A film studio focusing on traditional, patriotic stories isn’t likely to give its most popular superhero to someone who’s causing controversy and division.

Performance and Timing Aren’t on Gunn’s Side

Beyond politics, Gunn’s DC rollout hasn’t been strong enough to withstand a regime change:

  • Superman reportedly underperformed financially (which we were the first to report)
  • Peacemaker Season 2 fell off the radar, again losing nearly 40% of viewers
  • No new DCU projects officially moving forward other than those already announced
  • Gunn publicly admitted he may not stay after Man of Tomorrow, meaning the head of the studio doesn’t even know his own future

When a studio gets new leadership, they often hire people who align with the new direction. A great example is Taylor Sheridan: he was instrumental in launching Paramount+, then moved to NBCUniversal, but John Ellison worked to bring him back—not to oversee television, but to write the screenplay for the Call of Duty movie.

That’s important.

Despite their differences, Ellison clearly still appreciates Sheridan’s appeal to a heartland, patriotic audience. The takeaway is simple: creatives who connect with that demographic will continue to be relevant and included in some capacity.

Gunn takes a different approach. He actively challenges conservative viewpoints online, often ridiculing that group, and has increasingly focused on political topics that distance him from viewers in more moderate areas of the country.

If Sheridan, who already aligns with what Ellison wants for DC, is restricted in his role, then Gunn – who doesn’t appeal to the same audience – won’t have a chance to remain in charge.

DC Needs Mainstream Appeal — Not Division

DC Comics is a long-standing American company, and Superman is widely considered the most iconic American superhero. He embodies traditional American ideals, a contrast to the more universal, ‘human’ approach being favored by some. If Paramount wants to focus on content that celebrates American values, aligning DC with that message – including in its comic books – would be a smart move.

Gunn’s writing style is often marked by sarcasm, strong opinions, and a tendency to challenge readers. This approach doesn’t align with the more moderate direction the studio is taking, or the type of audience Paramount now seems to be targeting.

James Gunn’s contract is up in 2026, and there’s already doubt about his long-term role. If Warner Bros. Discovery is acquired by Paramount, it’s highly unlikely Gunn will continue leading DC Comics projects.

Gunn out

If Paramount were to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery and change the studio’s focus towards a more conservative, heartland audience, James Gunn’s leadership of the DC Universe would likely come to an end. His recent films haven’t resonated with viewers, his political views differ from this potential new direction, and he’s already suggested he might leave if things change.

A reset is the logical outcome, and that’s exactly what we have been told.

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2025-11-05 00:33