James Gunn is raking in the dough! A report reveals that the iconic director will be receiving at least three pay checks for his involvement in Superman.
Over the past few years, James Gunn has become the face of the DC Universe. Gunn has landed an incredibly cozy spot when it comes to the franchise, with the filmmaker taking over as co-chair of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran. He’s also serving as the writer and director of the upcoming Superman movie, which is set to define the tone of the IP for years, if not decades, to come.
And it seems that new position doesn’t come without its perks. A report from Puck sheds some light on the payment situation for the upcoming film. While the article doesn’t state exactly how much James Gunn will be paid for the production of Superman, it does remark that his position in the DC Universe will lead to him getting (at least) three paydays for work on the film.
“There are hybrid people, like [Marvel’s Kevin] Feige and [James] Gunn, who make movies while also overseeing them as executives. These types will have specific talent fees built into their deals. Gunn, for instance, will earn directing fees, producing fees, and writing fees for his services on this summer’s Superman—and, presumably, all the follow-up films he will work on, while also serving in his capacity as co-C.E.O. of DC. Even if he didn’t want to be paid, the various labor guilds would require at least minimum fees.”
How Much Will James Gunn Be Paid For Superman?
While the report is interesting for outsiders, it’s certainly not news for anyone who works in the industry. James Gunn has repeatedly gotten multiple checks as both the writer and director of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, as well as a cut of the producer pie with projects like Avengers: Infinity War. In fact, if the WGA (Writers Guild), DGA (Directors Guild), and PGA (Producers Guild) didn’t have minimum payment standards, it would allow major studios to make creatives work for less, potentially not paying them at all for extra work!
It’s also important to note that James Gunn is likely not getting “paid more” because of these minimums. His payday for Superman was likely decided long ago by Warner Bros. Discovey, with that all-in deal being separated across the three checks. So don’t worry, Gunn isn’t extorting the DC Universe by doubling up on his pay. He’s just complying with the laws that protect the little guys in the industry.
Superman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
