When James Gunn took charge of the new DC Universe (DCU) as co-CEO and creative lead back in 2022, many fans were curious about how he planned to approach this massive world with so many beloved characters and a comic history that spans almost a 100 years.
Recently, in a candid interview with friend and collaborator Rainn Wilson for Interview Magazine, Gunn shared that his creative blueprint for building the DCU comes from none other than Game of Thrones.
Here's what Gunn said in the interview:
"You talk about George R.R. Martin, and he is really one of the guys who I love and look up to. I’m an enormous fan of his and people say, 'Oh, the DCU is doing what MCU is.' But I think it really is a lot more to me what theGame of Thrones world is like or what Star Wars is like, because we’re building a universe and then picking out little pieces of it and telling individual stories from that universe."
This might sound surprising at first. After all, Game of Thrones and the DC Universe feel very different. One is a medieval fantasy saga full of political intrigue and grounded characters, and the other is about superheroes and supervillains with larger-than-life storytelling.
But Gunn explains that the inspiration lies less in the fantasy aspect and more in the way Game of Thrones (and A Song of Ice and Fire, by extension) created a layered universe filled with morally complex characters, competing factions, and intertwining stories that form a bigger picture, all in service of grand storytelling.
Why Game of Thrones is the blueprint for James Gunn’s DCU
For Gunn, the DCU is supposed to be a living, breathing world with its own rules, history, and power struggles, much like Westeros in Game of Thrones. He talked about multiple factions at play, like the Metahumans (and superheroes), normal humans, governments, and massive corporations like Luthor Corp, LordTech, Stagg Industries, and Wayne Enterprises, each with their own agendas and shades of gray.
This setup allows stories to be more complex and character-driven rather than the usual good versus evil stuff, something that the MCU usually leans more toward.
The interview also touches on how Gunn brings this layered storytelling to his own shows, like Peacemaker, which just began airing its second season. The spin-off series goes deep into the messy character behind the costume.
Next up for the DCU is HBO’s Lanterns in early 2026, followed by Supergirl and Clayface on June 26 and September 11, respectively.