James Gunn
Writing Born Aug 5, 1966 St. Louis, Missouri, USA 155 credits
Biography
James Francis Gunn Jr. is an American filmmaker born on August 5, 1966, in St. Louis, Missouri. Known for his work as a writer, director, and actor, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the film and television industry. Gunn is recognized for his contributions to the superhero genre and his ability to blend humor, horror, and heart in his storytelling. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various studios and has worked alongside his brother, actor Sean Gunn, on multiple projects. In 2022, he took on a leadership role as co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, where he oversees the production and development of the company's film and television slate.
Sources & verification
James Gunn — The Movie Database (TMDB)
James Gunn - Biography - IMDb
James Gunn - Wikipedia
James Gunn | Movies, TV Shows, DCU, Superman, & Biography - Britannica
James Gunn Biography: Movies, Wife, Children, Age, Net Worth, Height ...
James Gunn: Biography, Movies, Net Worth & Photos
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Career overview
James Gunn began his professional career as a screenwriter in the mid-1990s at Troma Entertainment. His early work includes writing Tromeo and Juliet in 1996, a project that also featured his brother, Sean Gunn. The two later collaborated on the 2000 film The Specials, which they co-produced and appeared in together. Gunn transitioned into directing with the 2006 horror-comedy Slither, followed by the 2010 superhero film Super. He gained significant recognition for his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy for Marvel Studios, which spanned from 2014 to 2023. His filmography also includes directing The Suicide Squad in 2021.
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery appointed Gunn and producer Peter Safran as co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios. In this capacity, Gunn serves as the principal creative architect for the studio, charting a new direction for its roster of characters. Under his leadership at DC Studios, he has co-produced and executive produced every film and television series developed by the division. His career is characterized by his ongoing influence in the superhero genre, where he is considered a sought-after writer and director.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
The Batman: Part II · Executive ProducerDynamic Duo · Producer
Man of Tomorrow · WriterMan of Tomorrow · ProducerMan of Tomorrow · Director
Supergirl · ProducerSupergirl · EditorClayface · ProducerLanterns · Executive ProducerCoyote vs ACME · Producer
SupermanSuperman · WriterSuperman · ProducerSuperman · Storyboard ArtistSuperman · Director
Creature Commandos · WriterCreature Commandos · Executive ProducerCreature Commandos · CreatorGrave ConversationsDC Studios Showcase: The Official Podcast
My Adventures with Superman · Executive ProducerGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 · WriterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 · DirectorSuperpowered: The DC Story
Peacemaker · WriterPeacemaker · DirectorPeacemaker · Executive ProducerPeacemaker · CreatorI Am Groot
The Suicide Squad · WriterThe Suicide Squad · Director
VHS Massacre Too
Avengers: Endgame · Executive ProducerHarley QuinnBrightburn · ProducerMutant Blast · Characters
Avengers: Infinity War · Executive ProducerAvengers: Infinity War · Additional DialogueJames Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 · WriterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 · Script SupervisorGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 · DirectorThe Big Sick · ThanksThe Belko Experiment · Writer
Doctor Strange · Additional WritingDolphinman Battles the Sex Lobsters · Characters
Con Man
Late Night with Seth MeyersGuardians of the GalaxyGuardians of the Galaxy · DirectorGuardians of the Galaxy · WriterMarvel Studios: Assembling a Universe
Rick and MortyMovie 43 · DirectorMovie 43 · Writer
Holliston
Produce Your Own Damn Movie!
SuperSuper · WriterSuper · Director
Tromatized: Meet Lloyd KaufmanDirect Your Own Damn Movie!
James Gunn's PG PornJames Gunn's PG PornJames Gunn's PG PornJames Gunn's PG Porn · Executive ProducerJames Gunn's PG Porn · Writer
We Own the Night · Thanks30 Even Scarier Movie Moments
SlitherSlither · DirectorSlither · WriterDone the Impossible
Dawn of the Dead · ScreenplayScooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed · WriterScooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed · Co-ProducerTales from the CrapperLolliLove
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Melvin Goes to DinnerThe GhoulsDoggie Tails, Vol. 1: Lucky's First Sleep-OverThe Man Who Invented The Moon · Co-Executive Producer
Scooby-Doo · ScreenplayScooby-Doo · StoryApocalypse Soon: The Making of 'Citizen Toxie'
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV
Big BrotherThe SpecialsThe Specials · WriterThe Specials · Co-ProducerTroma's Edge TV · Director
Terror Firmer · Original Story
Hamster PSA · DirectorHamster PSA · WriterThe Tromaville Cafe · Creator
Full filmography
- The Batman: Part II (2028) Executive Producer
- Dynamic Duo (2028) Producer
- Man of Tomorrow (2027) Writer
- Man of Tomorrow (2027) Producer
- Man of Tomorrow (2027) Director
- Supergirl (2026) Producer
- Supergirl (2026) Editor
- Clayface (2026) Producer
- Lanterns (2026) Executive Producer
- Coyote vs ACME (2026) Producer
- Coyote vs ACME (2026) Screenstory
- Coyote vs ACME (2026) Story
- Krypto Saves the Day!: Coastal Catastrophe (2026) Executive Producer
- Superman (2025) as Typewriting Monkeys (uncredited)
- Superman (2025) Writer
- Superman (2025) Producer
- Superman (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Superman (2025) Director
- Locked (2025) Thanks
- Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn (2025) as Self - Host
- Krypto Saves the Day!: Halloween Havoc (2025) Executive Producer
- Krypto Saves the Day!: Package Pandemonium (2025) Executive Producer
- Krypto Saves the Day! (2025) Creator
- Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle (2025) Executive Producer
- Creature Commandos (2024) Writer
- Creature Commandos (2024) Executive Producer
- Creature Commandos (2024) Creator
- Grave Conversations (2024) as Self
- DC Studios Showcase: The Official Podcast (2024) as Self
- DC Metal Force (2024) Executive Producer
- Beast Boy: Lone Wolf (2024) Executive Producer
- My Adventures with Superman (2023) Executive Producer
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) as Lamb-Shank (voice)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Writer
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Director
- Superpowered: The DC Story (2023) as Self
- MPower (2023) as Self
- Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) as Self - Writer / Director
- Peacemaker (2022) Writer
- Peacemaker (2022) Director
- Peacemaker (2022) Executive Producer
- Peacemaker (2022) Creator
- I Am Groot (2022) as Wrist Watch Voice (voice)
- I Am Groot (2022) Executive Producer
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) Executive Producer
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) Director
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) Writer
- Groot's First Steps (2022) Executive Producer
- The Little Guy (2022) Executive Producer
- Magnum Opus (2022) Executive Producer
- Groot Takes a Bath (2022) Executive Producer
- Groot's Pursuit (2022) as Wrist Watch Voice (voice)
- Groot's Pursuit (2022) Executive Producer
- Podly: The Peacemaker Podcast (2022) as Self
- Podly: The Peacemaker Podcast (2022) Original Series Creator
- The Suicide Squad (2021) Writer
- The Suicide Squad (2021) Director
- VHS Massacre Too (2020) as Self
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) Executive Producer
- Harley Quinn (2019) as James Gunn (voice)
- Brightburn (2019) Producer
- Mutant Blast (2019) Characters
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Executive Producer
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Additional Dialogue
- James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction (2018) as Self
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Writer
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Script Supervisor
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Director
- The Big Sick (2017) Thanks
- The Belko Experiment (2017) Writer
- The Belko Experiment (2017) Producer
- Doctor Strange (2016) Additional Writing
- Dolphinman Battles the Sex Lobsters (2016) Characters
- Con Man (2015) as Raaker 2.0
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) as Maskless Sakaaran
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Director
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Writer
- Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe (2014) as Self
- Sock or Hat? (2014) as Self
- Rick and Morty (2013) as James Gunn (voice)
- Movie 43 (2013) Director
- Movie 43 (2013) Writer
- Holliston (2012) as John Anguish
- Produce Your Own Damn Movie! (2011) as Self
- Super (2010) as Demonswill
- Super (2010) Writer
- Super (2010) Director
- Tromatized: Meet Lloyd Kaufman (2009) as Self
- Direct Your Own Damn Movie! (2009) as Self
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) as Linus
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) as Lance the Mechanic
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) as James Gunn
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) Executive Producer
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) Writer
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) Director
- James Gunn's PG Porn (2008) Creator
- Sparky & Mikaela (2008) Director
- Sparky & Mikaela (2008) Writer
- Sparky & Mikaela (2008) Executive Producer
- Scream Queens (2008) as Self - Judge
- Doggie Heaven (2008) Executive Producer
- Humanzee! (2008) as James
- Humanzee! (2008) Director
- Humanzee! (2008) Writer
- Humanzee! (2008) Executive Producer
- We Own the Night (2007) Thanks
- 30 Even Scarier Movie Moments (2007) as Self
- Slither (2006) as Hank (uncredited)
- Slither (2006) Director
- Slither (2006) Writer
- Done the Impossible (2006) as Self
- Dawn of the Dead (2004) Screenplay
- Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) Writer
- Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) Co-Producer
- Tales from the Crapper (2004) as Self
- LolliLove (2004) as James Gunn
- LolliLove (2004) Executive Producer
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003) as Scott
- The Ghouls (2003) as Det. Cotton
- Doggie Tails, Vol. 1: Lucky's First Sleep-Over (2003) as Riley (voice)
- The Man Who Invented The Moon (2003) Co-Executive Producer
- Scooby-Doo (2002) Screenplay
- Scooby-Doo (2002) Story
- Apocalypse Soon: The Making of 'Citizen Toxie' (2002) as Self
- Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2001) as Dr. Flem Hocking
- Big Brother (2000) as Self - Guest
- The Specials (2000) as Minute Man
- The Specials (2000) Writer
- The Specials (2000) Co-Producer
- Troma's Edge TV (2000) Director
- Troma's Edge TV (2000) Writer
- Terror Firmer (1999) Original Story
- Hamster PSA (1997) Director
- Hamster PSA (1997) Writer
- The Tromaville Cafe (1997) Creator
- Tromeo & Juliet (1996) as Found a Peanut Father
- Tromeo & Juliet (1996) Assistant Director
- Tromeo & Juliet (1996) Screenplay
- Tromeo & Juliet (1996) Executive In Charge Of Production
- Jeopardy! (1984) as Self - Clue Presenter
- The Investigators (1961) Teleplay
- Absolute Batman Executive Producer
- Sgt. Rock Producer
- Krypto Executive Producer
- Mister Miracle Executive Producer
- The Brave and the Bold Producer
- Untitled Wonder Woman Film Producer
- Joker: Laugh Riot Executive Producer
- Lollipop Chainsaw New Project Original Story
- Untitled Bane and Deathstroke Film Producer
- Waller Executive Producer
- Booster Gold Executive Producer
- Paradise Lost Executive Producer