GUEST: JAMES GUNN
James Gunn (born August 5, 1966, in St. Louis, Missouri) is an acclaimed American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and executive known for his versatility and unique style that blends dark humor, irreverence, and deep character development. Gunn began his career in independent cinema working with Troma Entertainment, where he co-wrote the cult classic Tromeo and Juliet (1996) and honed his skills in low-budget genre films.
He gained mainstream success as the writer of the live-action Scooby-Doo films (2002, 2004) and the remake of Dawn of the Dead (2004). His directorial debut was with the horror-comedy Slither (2006), followed by the black-comic superhero comedy Super (2010). Gunn became a household name in Hollywood through his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly directing Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and its sequels, which were both critical and commercial hits.
In recent years, Gunn directed The Suicide Squad (2021) and created the successful HBO Max series Peacemaker. In 2022, he was appointed co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, where he is leading the creative direction of the DC Universe, including writing and directing the upcoming Superman film.
Gunn is known for blending humor, heart, and action, often featuring misfit and deeply flawed characters. He comes from a family active in the entertainment industry, including actor brother Sean Gunn. James Gunn remains a prominent figure shaping the future of blockbuster filmmaking.
Title: James Gunn Smartless
Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest(s): James Gunn
Episode Number: ###
Air Date: Aug 18, 2015
The main themes and topics discussed in this episode are:
The Creative Process: Gunn discusses his writing process, the challenges of working on big-budget superhero films, and his collaboration with other artists and writers.
Character and Story Development: He talks about the importance of creating relatable characters and building emotional stakes, specifically mentioning his approach to
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3and the newSupermanmovie."Goodness is his Superpower": A key theme is Gunn's vision for Superman, which he describes as focusing on the character's kindness and empathy rather than just his strength.
Gunn's Career Trajectory: The conversation follows James Gunn's journey from his early days at Troma to his work with Marvel on the
Guardians of the Galaxyfilms and his current role as the co-head of DC Studios.
Episode Sections:
0-109: Cozy Introduction and Will's Haircut. The hosts set a "cozy" mood with sound effects and a warm welcome, then immediately poke fun at Will Arnett's new haircut.
109-750: Will Arnett's New York Location and Gunn's Beginnings. The hosts discuss Will's location at the Whitby hotel and then move into James Gunn's origin story, including his time at Troma, working with Lloyd Kaufman and Roger Corman.
750-1680: From
Scooby-DootoGuardians. Gunn talks about writing the screenplays forScooby-Dooand theDawn of the Deadremake. He then discusses his experience at Marvel and the creative process for theGuardians of the Galaxyfilms, highlighting his close relationship with Kevin Feige.1680-3300: The
Guardians Vol. 3Firing and the NewSupermanMovie. The conversation shifts to the personal struggle of being fired and rehired forGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn then discusses his new role at DC Studios and his vision for the upcomingSupermanfilm, emphasizing the character's "goodness" and humanity.3300-3670: The Hosts and Guest Reflect. The episode concludes with reflections on the creative process, the challenges of filmmaking, and a brief discussion about the music and auto industries.
Jason Bateman: Google link
Sean Hayes: Google link
Will Arnett: Google link
James Gunn: Google link
Kevin Won: A hairstylist in NYC.
Eli: A hairstylist in Chicago.
John: A guest at a SmartLess live show.
Lloyd Kaufman: Co-founder of Troma Entertainment. Google link
Roger Corman: Legendary film producer and director. Google link
Kevin Feige: President of Marvel Studios. Google link
Lou DiPazto: An executive at Marvel Studios.
Alexander Payne: Director.
Chris Pratt: Star of
Guardians of the Galaxy. Google linkGrant Morrison: Comic book writer. Google link
Frank Quietly: Comic book artist. Google link
Jamie Grant: Comic book colorist. Google link
Peter Safran: Co-head of DC Studios with James Gunn.
Matt Reeves: Director.
Ana Aguara & Mag Flanigan: Writers mentioned as working with James Gunn.
St. Louis, Missouri: James Gunn's hometown.
New York City, New York: Will Arnett's location and the location of a live show.
Los Angeles, California: Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes's location.
Warren Street, New York, NY: A street in NYC.
Smartless: The name of the podcast.
Firmdale Hotels: A hotel chain mentioned by Will Arnett. Google link
The Whitby: A specific Firmdale hotel in New York. Google link
Amazon Music: The episode's sponsor, mentioned with a specific URL for a subscription.
James Gunn's First Movie Job: He discusses his start at Troma, where he learned filmmaking and worked with Lloyd Kaufman.
The SmartLess Live Show: The hosts mention their live tour at venues like the Avalon in Los Angeles.
The
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Firing and Rehiring: James Gunn talks about the personal struggle of being fired by Disney and the subsequent support from the cast and crew, leading to his return.
The "Cozy" Intro (11): The hosts' overly sincere and silly attempt to create a "cozy" vibe with a crackling fire sound effect.
Will Arnett's Haircut (71): The hosts playfully mock Will's new haircut.
Sean Hayes as Superman (3020): Sean jokingly suggests he could play Superman, leading to a humorous bit with James Gunn.
The Whitby Hotel (New York)
The Avalon (Los Angeles)
Painting of President Taft: A painting in the background of James Gunn's room.
Dog named Ozu: James Gunn's dog, who served as the inspiration for the dog character Krypto in his new Superman movie.