---
name: "James Gunn"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-gunn"
fi1m_id: "james-gunn"
imdb_id: "nm0348181"
tmdb_id: 15218
wikidata_id: "Q717015"
roles: ["Writer","Producer","Director"]
born: "5 August 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 63
average_as: "writer"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-10-22T02:51:12.852645+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# James Gunn

## Identity

James Gunn

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-gunn
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-gunn
- **IMDb ID:** nm0348181
- **TMDB ID:** 15218
- **Wikidata ID:** Q717015
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gunn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q717015, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348181/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15218

Writer and producer. Born 5 August 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer, Producer, Director
- **Born:** 5 August 1966, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- **Active:** 2002–present
- **Also known as:** 詹姆斯·冈恩, جیمز گان, جيمس غان
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 5 directing, 2 writing, 5 producing
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Pratt](https://film.one/person/chris-pratt.md), [Dave Bautista](https://film.one/person/dave-bautista.md), [Kevin Feige](https://film.one/person/kevin-feige.md), [Peter Safran](https://film.one/person/peter-safran.md), [Zoe Saldaña](https://film.one/person/zoe-saldana.md), [Bradley Cooper](https://film.one/person/bradley-cooper.md), [Vin Diesel](https://film.one/person/vin-diesel.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 63, as writer, over 2 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 48 (1), 2010s 65 (5), 2020s 67 (6)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gunn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q717015, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348181/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15218

## Coming up

- *Man of Tomorrow* (2027-07-07), Writer
- *The Batman: Part II* (2028-02-17), Executive Producer
- *Dynamic Duo* (2028-06-29), Producer

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md) (80), [*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md) (71), [*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md) (64)
- **HBO Max:** [*Superman*](https://film.one/film/superman.md) (66)
- **Hulu:** [*Supergirl*](https://film.one/film/supergirl.md) (56)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Scooby-Doo*](https://film.one/film/scooby-doo.md) (48)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Movie 43*](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md) (24)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on James Gunn

> James Gunn takes misfits seriously, even when he is asking us to laugh at them. We like his warmth and his feel for actors; the crowded plots and the reluctance to stop adding things require more patience.

A small animal sits in a cage in a bright room, and James Gunn gives the joke a rest. In *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), Rocket's past makes the armed, argumentative raccoon someone whose hurt matters. We were upset by that first cage scene because the clean surroundings make his helplessness so stark. Sean Gunn voices the young Rocket and Bradley Cooper the adult, and neither begs for sympathy.

The early work was less restrained about what might turn a stomach: *Slither* (2006) mixed horror and comedy, with *Super* (2010) following before the turn to Marvel. *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014) put five oddballs at the centre, with the chatter and affection becoming its chief attractions. That was his breakthrough as a writer-director at Marvel. *The Suicide Squad* (2021) took his irreverence to a villain team at DC.

The third *Guardians* is our favourite of the trilogy, though its rescue mission runs longer than its story warrants. Gunn gets dependable laughs from Dave Bautista's literal-minded Drax and Pom Klementieff's exasperated Mantis, pairing them whenever the plot needs help. He also lets Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldaña play disappointment without turning every exchange into a gag. His actors can make a crowded film feel companionable, but they cannot make its sagging middle disappear.

*Superman* (2025) exposes that weakness more plainly. Gunn writes and directs a hero who is already established, trusting David Corenswet to make ordinary decency interesting rather than treating goodness as an embarrassment. Corenswet gives him the warmth he needs, and Nicholas Hoult supplies a Luthor worth disliking. Yet the dozen characters and accumulating crises leave too little space for that good idea, until the action becomes mostly noise. Start with *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*, provided a talking raccoon sounds like someone worth spending an evening with.

## Biography

James Gunn is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, director and producer. He was born on 5 August 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Gunn began his career writing for Troma Entertainment before directing films including Slither (2006). He is known for writing and directing the Guardians of the Galaxy films (2014, 2017, 2023), The Suicide Squad (2021) and Superman (2025). He also wrote the screenplays for Scooby-Doo (2002) and Dawn of the Dead (2004).

In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery appointed Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios. Under this role, Gunn has overseen the DC Universe franchise, writing and directing Superman (2025) and serving as producer on Supergirl (2026).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Directed (5)

- *Superman* (2025), Fi1m 66, Producer, Director, Writer, Storyboard Artist — [page](https://film.one/film/superman.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), Fi1m 71, Writer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), Fi1m 64, Writer, Director, Script Supervisor — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), Fi1m 80, Director, Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *Movie 43* (2013), Fi1m 24, Director, Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)

### Wrote (2) — the average rests on these

- *Coyote vs. Acme* (2026), Fi1m 78, Producer, Screenstory — [page](https://film.one/film/coyote-vs-acme.md)
- *Scooby-Doo* (2002), Fi1m 48, Screenplay, Story — [page](https://film.one/film/scooby-doo.md)

### Produced (5)

- *Clayface* (2026), Fi1m 65, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/clayface.md)
- *Lanterns* (2026), Fi1m 68, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *Supergirl* (2026), Fi1m 56, Producer, Editor — [page](https://film.one/film/supergirl.md)
- *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), Fi1m 79, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md)
- *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), Fi1m 77, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md)

## Complete filmography (78)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Dynamic Duo* (2028), Producer
- *The Batman: Part II* (2028), Executive Producer
- *Man of Tomorrow* (2027), Writer, Producer, Director
- *Clayface* (2026), Producer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/clayface.md)
- *Krypto Saves the Day!: Space Busted* (2026), Executive Producer
- *Coyote vs. Acme* (2026), Producer, Screenstory — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/coyote-vs-acme.md)
- *Lanterns* (2026), series, Executive Producer — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *Supergirl* (2026), Producer, Editor — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/supergirl.md)
- *Krypto Saves the Day!: Coastal Catastrophe* (2026), Executive Producer
- *Krypto Saves the Day!: Package Pandemonium* (2025), Executive Producer
- *Krypto Saves the Day!: Halloween Havoc* (2025), Executive Producer
- *Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle* (2025), Executive Producer
- *Krypto Saves the Day!* (2025), series, Executive Producer
- *Superman* (2025), as Typewriting Monkeys (uncredited) · Producer, Writer, Storyboard Artist, Director — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/superman.md)
- *Locked* (2025), Thanks
- *DC Metal Force* (2024), series, Executive Producer
- *Creature Commandos* (2024), series, Writer, Executive Producer, Creator
- *Beast Boy: Lone Wolf* (2024), series, Executive Producer
- *My Adventures with Superman* (2023), series, Executive Producer
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), as Lamb-Shank (voice) · Writer, Director — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md)
- *The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special* (2022), Executive Producer, Director, Writer
- *I Am Groot* (2022), series, as Wrist Watch Voice (voice) · Executive Producer
- *Groot's First Steps* (2022), Executive Producer
- *Groot Takes a Bath* (2022), Executive Producer
- *The Little Guy* (2022), Executive Producer
- *Groot's Pursuit* (2022), as Wrist Watch Voice (voice) · Executive Producer
- *Magnum Opus* (2022), Executive Producer
- *Peacemaker* (2022), series, Writer, Director, Executive Producer, Creator
- *The Suicide Squad* (2021), Writer, Director
- *Harley Quinn* (2019), series, as James Gunn (voice)
- *Mutant Blast* (2019), Characters
- *Brightburn* (2019), Producer
- *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), Executive Producer — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md)
- *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), Executive Producer, Additional Dialogue — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), Writer, Script Supervisor, Director — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *The Big Sick* (2017), Thanks
- *The Belko Experiment* (2017), Writer, Producer
- *Doctor Strange* (2016), as Additional Writing — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange.md)
- *Dolphinman Battles the Sex Lobsters* (2016), Characters
- *Con Man* (2015), series, as Raaker 2.0
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), as Maskless Sakaaran · Writer, Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as James Gunn (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Movie 43* (2013), Director, Writer — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *Holliston* (2012), series, as John Anguish
- *Super* (2010), as Demonswill · Writer, Director
- *Sparky & Mikaela* (2008), Director, Executive Producer, Writer
- *Humanzee!* (2008), as James · Executive Producer, Director, Writer
- *Doggie Heaven* (2008), Executive Producer
- *James Gunn's PG Porn* (2008), series, as Linus, Lance the Mechanic, James Gunn · Executive Producer, Writer, Director, Creator
- *We Own the Night* (2007), Thanks
- *Slither* (2006), as Hank (uncredited) · Director, Writer
- *Fat Load O Nothin* (2005), Director
- *LolliLove* (2004), as James Gunn · Executive Producer
- *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* (2004), Writer, Co-Producer
- *Dawn of the Dead* (2004), Screenplay
- *Melvin Goes to Dinner* (2003), as Scott
- *The Man Who Invented The Moon* (2003), Co-Executive Producer
- *The Ghouls* (2003), as Det. Cotton
- *Doggie Tails, Vol. 1: Lucky's First Sleep-Over* (2003), as Riley (voice)
- *Scooby-Doo* (2002), Screenplay, Story — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/scooby-doo.md)
- *Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV* (2001), as Dr. Flem Hocking
- *The Specials* (2000), as Minute Man · Writer, Co-Producer
- *Troma's Edge TV* (2000), series, Director, Writer
- *Terror Firmer* (1999), Original Story
- *Hamster PSA* (1997), Writer, Director
- *The Tromaville Cafe* (1997), series, Creator
- *Tromeo & Juliet* (1996), as Found a Peanut Father · Assistant Director, Screenplay, Executive In Charge Of Production
- *The Investigators* (1961), series, Teleplay
- *The Brave and the Bold*, Producer
- *Lollipop Chainsaw New Project*, series, as Video Game
- *Joker: Laugh Riot*, series, Executive Producer
- *Krypto*, series, Executive Producer
- *Absolute Batman*, series, Executive Producer
- *Mister Miracle*, series, Executive Producer
- *The People v. Gorilla Grodd*, series, Executive Producer
- *Untitled Bane and Deathstroke Film*, Producer
- *Untitled Wonder Woman Film*, Producer
- *Sgt. Rock*, Producer

## Gallery

- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-12b3f7e42236.jpg) James Gunn — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/James_Gunn_by_Gage_Skidmore_3.jpg/1280px-James_Gunn_by_Gage_Skidmore_3.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Facebook F8 Developer's Conference 2017 Fidji Simo and James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-068c9502a7d6.jpg) Facebook F8 Developer's Conference 2017 Fidji Simo and James Gunn — Anthony Quintano from Westminster, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Facebook_F8_Developer%27s_Conference_2017_Fidji_Simo_and_James_Gunn_%2834095230626%29.jpg/1280px-Facebook_F8_Developer%27s_Conference_2017_Fidji_Simo_and_James_Gunn_%2834095230626%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![第27回 東京国際映画祭 ロバート・ルケティック ジェームズ・ガン (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-bd72b8f7342a.jpg) 第27回 東京国際映画祭 ロバート・ルケティック ジェームズ・ガン (2014) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/27th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival-_Robert_Luketic_%26_James_Gunn_%2815017914134%29.jpg/1280px-27th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival-_Robert_Luketic_%26_James_Gunn_%2815017914134%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![第27回 東京国際映画祭 ジェームズ・ガン (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-720256edb31b.jpg) 第27回 東京国際映画祭 ジェームズ・ガン (2014) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/27th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_James_Gunn_%2815451576259%29.jpg/1280px-27th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_James_Gunn_%2815451576259%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-cf177109803a.jpg) James Gunn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-6546536d2036.jpg) James Gunn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-9c49a607ccc4.jpg) James Gunn — Image via TMDB
- ![第27回 東京国際映画祭 ジェームズ・ガン (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-cb1643db3a2b.jpg) 第27回 東京国際映画祭 ジェームズ・ガン (2014) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/27th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_James_Gunn_%2815452664830%29.jpg/1280px-27th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_James_Gunn_%2815452664830%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-99bae13c12d6.jpg) James Gunn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-1542a2f74007.jpg) James Gunn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Gunn](https://film.one/media/person/6596/gallery-00fe5978542e.jpg) James Gunn — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/james-gunn