James Gunn's Superman Earns $235 Million in 10 Days After Disney Firing

James Gunn, the writer-director behind the box-office hit Superman, recently shared his thoughts on the impact of being fired by Disney in 2018. The termination, which followed the resurfacing of old tweets, led Gunn to believe his career was over and that he would not earn another dollar in the industry. This period of uncertainty had a profound effect on his outlook and self-perception.

Gunn's current success with Superman, which has grossed $235 million in its first 10 days, marks a significant turnaround. The film is the inaugural release for Warner Bros.’ DC Studios and its rebooted DC Universe, of which Gunn is a co-runner. However, less than a decade ago, his career was in a very different state. In 2018, after criticizing then-President Donald Trump on Twitter, right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich unearthed old tweets from Gunn, dating between 2008 and 2012, which contained jokes about sensitive topics such as pedophilia, rape, and the Holocaust.

Despite publicly apologizing, the ensuing media backlash led Disney to sever ties with Gunn. This decision was particularly impactful given that Gunn had produced two of Disney’s biggest recent hits, including Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2. In a recent episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, Gunn recalled the emotional toll of the firing, stating, “My life was gone. I thought my career was over. I didn’t think I was gonna make another dime in this industry. I thought I was gonna have to hold onto whatever I had made, which was nowhere near as much as I had hoped it would be, to last for the rest of my life, and live a really frugal life.”

Disney's decision to fire Gunn sparked widespread criticism. Actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, along with other entertainers, comedians, and journalists, publicly condemned the move. Bobcat Goldthwait, who voiced a character in the 1997 Disney film Hercules, even called for the removal of his voice from an upcoming park attraction in response to the incident. An online petition urging Disney to rehire Gunn garnered over 400,000 signatures.

Gunn reflected on this period, noting that he had lost all his power and influence. He realized that his previous efforts were driven by a desire for wealth, fame, and love. However, the outpouring of support from his then-girlfriend Jennifer Holland, now his wife, and cast members from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, including Chris Pratt, Pom Klementieff, and Dave Bautista, helped him see that he was loved for who he was. This realization led him to conclude that the day of his firing was actually one of the best days of his life, as it taught him that he did not need to perform for others to gain their affection.

In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO announced that Gunn would be one of the two new heads of DC Studios, overseeing the creative direction of the new DC Universe across movies, TV, and animation. This new role meant that Gunn could no longer work with Marvel Studios and Disney, which had rehired him in 2019 to make Guardians of the Galaxy 3. However, it also provided him with the opportunity to write and direct his own take on Superman, focusing on the character's early years in Metropolis. Superman is now playing in theaters.

Gunn's experience underscores the unpredictable nature of careers in the entertainment industry. Even established figures can face sudden setbacks, highlighting the need for resilience and adaptability. His ability to overcome this challenge and continue his career demonstrates his determination and talent. The incident also raises questions about the role of corporate decisions in shaping the careers of creative professionals, emphasizing the complex dynamics at play in the industry.