James Gunn and Zack Snyder's viral photo was posted to prove to DC fans there's no bad blood between them: "It's such a weird dynamic that's been created between factions online"

James Gunn
(Image credit: Getty/Gilbert Flores / Contributor)

Four days ago, James Gunn posted a photo with Zack Snyder and well, it's safe to say the internet reacted. Now, the Guardians of the Galaxy helmer has admitted that he purposefully shared the image to convince DC fans that there's no bad blood between himself and the Dawn of the Dead director.

"We knew that people have this view that somehow we have been pitted against each other," Gunn revealed (via Variety). "It's odd to have someone who you're friendly with in real life be the guy that is positioned as your Lex Luthor, or I'm his Lex Luthor. It's just such a weird dynamic that's been created between factions online."

Before Gunn was appointed DC Studios co-CEO alongside Peter Safran, Snyder collaborated with DC and Warner Bros. on a whole bunch of movies from Watchmen and Man of Steel to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. Despite their often-middling reviews, his superhero outings earned him somewhat of a cult following, so when it was announced that Gunn would be taking the franchise in a different direction, and spearheading a new Superman film, Snyder's fans had some thoughts.

"Always a pleasure catching up with my friend Zack Snyder, consummate filmmaker (and a doubly consummate storyteller!)," Gunn commented alongside the smile-filled snap last week, leading people to comment things like, "I love Zack's DC works and I am very excited for the Gunn-Verse! We can love both!"

"Hire him. Unite the fandom. Everybody wins," wrote another.

Starring Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, and David Corenswet in the titular role, Gunn's Superman will center on a younger Kal-El as he juggles his crime-fighting duties with his more human responsibilities at The Daily Planet. Beyond that, its plot remains a bit of a mystery, though we do know Lex Luthor, one of Superman's most notorious enemies, will feature – as well as Krypto the Superdog.

For more, check out our guide to all of the upcoming DC movies and shows.

CATEGORIES
Amy West

I am an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things TV and film across our Total Film and SFX sections. Elsewhere, my words have been published by the likes of Digital Spy, SciFiNow, PinkNews, FANDOM, Radio Times, and Total Film magazine.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Superman
James Gunn responds after new Superman flying clip goes viral for the wrong reasons: "There is absolutely zero CG"
Superman
James Gunn cryptically suggests that the DCU is building towards a Superman and Batman crossover
Colin Farrell in The Penguin
James Gunn tries to clear up which projects are DC Studios, but it's still pretty confusing
Superman and Lois Lane in Superman
Will Superman save the day? James Gunn's upcoming DC movie will make or break the new DCU
Guy Gardner Green Lantern in Superman
Superman skipped a Super Bowl TV spot in favor of a Green Lantern joke, and DC fans are divided
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
James Gunn reveals Jason Momoa text him about Lobo the day he was announced as DC Studios co-head
Latest in DC Movies
Ben Affleck in Zack Snyder's Justice League
Ben Affleck reflects on the "excruciating experience" playing Batman in the Zack Snyder movies: "A lot of it was misalignment of agendas, understandings, expectations"
James Gunn
James Gunn reacts to Jason Momoa almost spoiling his Lobo costume in an interview: "I just want to profoundly thank Jason’s publicist"
Jason Momoa next to Lobo
Jason Momoa has gone method taking on the role of Lobo: "I asked everybody to call me by my character's name"
Batgirl movie
Unearthed Daredevil-like fight scene from DC's canceled Batgirl movie gives us a taste of what we could have had
Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie
Jason Momoa says the DCU's Lobo is "exactly like" the comic book character in upcoming Supergirl movie
Guy Gardner Green Lantern in Superman
Nathan Fillion says his version of Green Lantern in James Gunn's Superman is "a jerk": "He's not nice, which is very freeing as an actor"
Latest in News
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing Yasuke kneeling and praying while wearing a traditional purple robe
Assassin's Creed Shadows is shown running on a Nintendo 3DS in an impressive bit of fan homebrew
Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again has pulled another scene straight from the comics – and it's one of the darkest moments yet
Mario racing on a desert track during the Switch 2 reveal trailer.
Porting Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to the Nintendo Switch was "kind of an afterthought," and now it's so popular that getting fans to switch could be a challenge
Donkey Kong in newly shared gameplay of what seems to be mario kart 9
"This is unlike Nintendo": Former marketer thinks Mario Kart being a Switch 2 launch game isn't as ideal as OG Switch's Breath of the Wild combo
Nick Frost in Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead star Nick Frost is playing one of the most beloved Harry Potter characters for the new HBO TV show
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
The Witcher 4 and Naughty Dog's Intergalactic are reportedly skipping 2026 and won't be ready until at least the year after