James Gunn Wants Marvel vs. DC Fighting To End

James Gunn is asking Marvel and DC Comics fans to quit bickering and simply get along with each other. As a filmmaker, it pains Gunn - who's responsible for helming 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 for Marvel Studios - to see comic book fans constantly wage war with each other over which studios' movies are better. The answer is obviously subjective, with fans siding with their respective brands of choice.

Arguments between fans are common in all industries - not just movies and not just with comic book adaptations - but it seems the divisiveness between fans of DC's film universe and that of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are on their own level. Impassioned fans don't need to put down another film (or brand) in order to prop up their preferred film (or brand). It's an ineffective method of criticism. Healthy competition certainly benefits everyone, but there's a difference between competing creatively and bringing down the competition - and that's precisely what Gunn wants people to realize.

Gunn congratulated Zachary Levi on Twitter yesterday for landing the title role in David F. Sandberg's DC movie, Shazam!. And it seems that may have ignited a flame war between Marvel and DC fans, for today, Gunn has taken to Twitter (see below) to ask comic book moviegoers to just get along with one another. After all, they actually have quite a lot in common.

2 You guys are never going to convince each other - it’s just a bunch of wasted energy.— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2017

3 At least when you’re screaming at each other about Trump, it’s something of international importance.— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2017

4 But it’s a 2 year old movie that some people like and some people don’t. Why is someone else’s opinion so important to you?— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2017

5 As Marvel and DC super fans you have way more in common with each other than you do with the rest of the world.— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2017

6 So why do you spend so much time raging at each other? It’s silly. Please just stop it. Stop engaging in that way.— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2017

7 But at the very least, when you do, untag me. I’ve muted a lot of you guys, but not all. Thanks.— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 28, 2017

Gunn's plea is a stance that virtually every other comic book movie director and producer shares. Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson has repeatedly called Zack Snyder's Watchmen Director's Cut "a masterwork". DC Comics chief creative officer and DC Films boss Geoff Johns heaped praise on the trailer for Ryan Coogler's Black Panther and professed his excitement for seeing the film. Plus, Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige recently discussed Warner Bros.' success with Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman and what that means for their own female-led superhero movie, Captain Marvel.

Marvel Studios has undoubtedly found success with their blockbuster formula - evidenced by yet another hit with Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok - but that doesn't mean their way is best nor the only way to go about making comic book movies. DC Films has decidedly taken a different route, and while audiences haven't always been onboard with DC's decisions, there's no denying that they have become successful films in their own right. So far, each of Snyder's DC movies - Watchmen, Man of Steel, and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice - have spawned an unyielding debate that thrives for years.

And now with Snyder's Justice League on the way, hopefully, the film's discussion will be more level-headed than his previous adaptations.