James Gunn Sounds the Alarm: “The Movie Industry Is Dying” — And He Says He Knows Why
James Gunn isn’t one to hold back when it comes to the state of Hollywood. The acclaimed filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios has made a career out of pushing boundaries—from turning obscure comic book characters like Guardians of the Galaxy into global box office hits, to now rebuilding the DC cinematic universe from the ground up. But in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn dropped one of his most blunt—and urgent—takes yet.
“I do believe that the reason why the movie industry is dying is not because of people not wanting to see movies,” Gunn said. “It’s not because of home screens getting so good. The number-one reason is because people are making movies without a finished screenplay.”
It’s a diagnosis that’s equal parts sobering and painfully familiar to anyone who’s been disappointed by a big-budget film that felt half-baked. In Gunn’s view, it’s not a lack of audience interest that’s killing theaters—it’s poor planning and rushed storytelling that’s turning audiences off.
A Hollywood Crisis, Scripted in Real Time
Gunn’s comments reflect a growing sentiment in both the industry and among audiences: quality has taken a backseat to speed. Studios are greenlighting films and locking in release dates long before a script is even finished, let alone polished. The result? A flood of movies that feel hollow, aimless, or like expensive placeholders in a franchise rather than meaningful stories.
“We just killed a project,” Gunn revealed. “Everybody wanted to make the movie. It was greenlit, ready to go. The screenplay wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t do a movie where the screenplay’s not good.”
For Gunn, it’s a matter of principle. Now at the helm of DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, Gunn is drawing a line in the sand: no film moves forward unless the script is solid. “Nothing goes [into production] before there’s a screenplay that I personally am happy with,” he said.
A Creative Philosophy Built on Quality Over Quantity
This approach marks a sharp contrast to how many studios have operated in recent years, particularly in the superhero space. With Marvel, Disney ramped up its release schedule to include multiple films and streaming series per year. And for a while, the formula worked—until it didn’t. Oversaturation, creative fatigue, and a dip in storytelling consistency began to wear down even the most loyal fans.
Gunn didn’t name Marvel directly—but he didn’t have to.
“We don’t have the mandate [at DC Studios] to have a certain amount of movies and TV shows every year,” he explained. “We’re going to put out everything that we think is of the highest quality.”
He added pointedly, “Disney’s mandate to increase Marvel films and TV shows killed them.”
It’s a sentiment Disney itself has begun to acknowledge. CEO Bob Iger recently admitted that the company is shifting Marvel’s focus back to “quality over quantity.” Gunn seems to be getting a head start on that recalibration—at DC.
Building a Better DC From the Ground Up
As fans await the launch of the new DC Universe, Gunn is clearly focused on setting a new creative standard. And according to him, it’s already paying off.
“We’ve been really lucky so far, because Supergirl’s script was so f—ing good off the bat,” he said. “Then Lanterns came in, and the script was so f—ing good. Clayface, same thing. So f—ing good.”
The excitement in his voice isn’t just about having good material—it’s about having the right foundation. By focusing on great scripts first, Gunn is hoping to avoid the all-too-common fate of films that try to fix story problems in post-production, with costly reshoots or confusing edits.
Instead, DC is being built around something much more solid: a clear creative vision, strong storytelling, and the patience to get things right from the start.
What This Means for the Future of Blockbusters
Gunn’s comments come at a pivotal time for the film industry. With the box office still recovering from the pandemic, studios are under pressure to deliver hits—and fast. But in their rush to recapture lost revenue, some may be sacrificing the very thing that made audiences fall in love with movies in the first place: great stories.
By calling out the practice of filming with unfinished or weak scripts, Gunn is urging Hollywood to rethink its priorities. He’s not just talking about comic book movies, either. The problem spans genres—from action to rom-coms to animation.
And while not every filmmaker has the clout to halt production over a script issue, Gunn is using his influence to set an example. For him, the future of cinema depends on a return to craft—and the courage to say “no” when something isn’t ready.
A Wake-Up Call from Inside the System
Perhaps the most important thing about Gunn’s message is that it’s coming from someone inside the system. He’s not an outsider criticizing from afar—he’s a studio head who’s actually in charge of shaping a major cinematic universe. And he’s choosing to slow down, focus on quality, and make decisions based on storytelling, not just scheduling.
It’s a rare move in today’s franchise-heavy landscape, where box office calendars often dictate creative timelines. But if Gunn’s instincts are right—and the success of his past work suggests they are—then this strategy could mark a turning point for DC, and maybe for the industry at large.
Final Thoughts: Script First, Movie Later
James Gunn’s message is as simple as it is revolutionary in today’s climate: Don’t start shooting a movie until the story is worth telling.
It’s a philosophy that prioritizes the audience. It respects the craft. And it may be the only way to ensure the long-term survival of an art form that has, for many, become increasingly frustrating to watch.
Because no matter how impressive the visual effects, or how bankable the cast, or how beloved the brand—if the screenplay isn’t good, the movie won’t be either.
Hollywood, take note.