Guardians Of The Galaxy's James Gunn Slams Hollywood Copy Cat System

Ben Arnold
image

James Gunn, the outspoken director of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ has slammed the Hollywood system following the success of superhero movie 'Deadpool’.

Gunn took to his Facebook page to vent his spleen after reading commentary about why the movie has been such a record-breaking success (£194 million worldwide and counting), and also about how executives will now react to it.

“After every movie smashes records people here in Hollywood love to throw out the definitive reasons why the movie was a hit. I saw it happen with Guardians. It 'wasn’t afraid to be fun’ or it 'was colorful and funny’ etc etc etc,” he writes.

“And next thing I know I hear of a hundred film projects being set up 'like Guardians’, and I start seeing dozens of trailers exactly like the Guardians trailer with a big pop song and a bunch of quips. Ugh…

“So, over the next few months, if you pay attention to the trades, you’ll see Hollywood misunderstanding the lesson they should be learning with Deadpool. They’ll be green lighting films 'like Deadpool’ – but, by that, they won’t mean 'good and original’ but 'a raunchy superhero film’ or 'it breaks the fourth wall’. They’ll treat you like you’re stupid, which is the one thing Deadpool didn’t do.”

image

The cause of the rant was one particular piece, in the movie bible Deadline, which quoted an anonymous executive.

“The film has a self-deprecating tone that’s riotous. It’s never been done before. It’s poking fun at Marvel. That label takes itself so seriously, can you imagine them making fun of themselves in a movie? They’d rather stab themselves,” the exec said.

Gunn then took time to explain why this was wrong. Very wrong indeed.

“I love Deadline and get a lot of my film business news from them. And I love Deadpool even more - the film is hilariously funny, has lots of heart, and is exactly what we need right now, taking true risks in spectacle film - but COME THE F*** ON. That’s no reason to rewrite history.

“This quote has to have been said by the dumbest f***ing Hollywood exec in the history of dumb f***ing Hollywood execs.

“Let’s ignore Guardians for a moment, a movie that survives from moment to moment building itself up and cutting itself down - God knows I’m biased about that one. But what do you think Favreau and Downey did in Iron Man? What the f*** was Ant-Man??!”

image

Seems fair. Out of Marvel and DC movies, Marvel takes itself considerably less seriously.

Meanwhile, 'Deadpool’, though hotly anticipated, has taken Hollywood somewhat aback with its untamed success.

So far it’s taken the Presidents Day weekend record from 'Fifty Shades of Grey’, making $150 million over the US holiday (’Fifty Shades’ took $93 million), and smashed the R-rated movie opening weekend record from 'The Matrix’ too, which made $91.8 million by comparison.

It’s also a bigger opening than superhero hits 'Man of Steel’, 'Iron Man 2’ or any of the 'X-Men’ movies.

Starring Ryan Reynolds, it’s out now across the UK.

Read more
Could Marvel’s Ant-Man Get A Prequel?
Kenneth Branagh Will Not Direct Thor: Ragnarok
Black Panther’s Civil War Role Revealed

Image credits: Marvel/Deadline

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Prepare for bitcoin to fall after the long-awaited halving, JPMorgan says

    "We do not expect bitcoin price increases post halving as it has been already priced in," JPMorgan says, adding that they see a downturn ahead.

  • Mayor Lucas responds to Missouri attorney general’s comments on his migrant plan

    Mayor Lucas responds to Missouri attorney general’s comments on his migrant plan

  • 'He mattered because of way he lived': Columbine siblings share moving memories

    For the siblings of those killed at Columbine, it's the photos and the memories they’ll hold in their hearts forever.

  • Ecuador president declares state of emergency over energy crisis

    Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a second state of emergency on Friday over an energy crisis that has already led to rationing in the South American country. Noboa, who took office in November, had declared an energy emergency and instituted power cuts earlier this week, but the cuts will be suspended on Sunday for a referendum he looks set to win on a raft of security measures. His first emergency declaration, in January, sought to tame surging crime by allowing more coordination between the military and police.

  • Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles of Dead Poets Society star in Taylor Swift video

    The 11th studio album from the singer-songwriter became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day, the platform said.

  • Labrador town declares state of emergency as officials brace for possible explosion

    HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — A town in Labrador has declared a state of emergency because a fire has spread to an area containing explosive material. RCMP are warning residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the town's Canadian Forces base of an uncontrolled fire in the area. Police say an explosion is expected. Mayor George Andrews says the fire broke out at several buildings on the north side of town. The town is asking all residents in that area, locally known as the Canadian side, to evacua

  • Britain’s Got Talent to return with packed launch featuring two golden buzzers

    Acts from around the world hoping to impress the judges with their unique talent will feature in the explosive launch episode.

  • Taylor Swift's new album is poetry to Kansas City's ears

    Taylor Swift's new album is poetry to Kansas City's ears

  • Tyler Freeman hits a 2-run homer to help power the Guardians past the Athletics 10-2

    CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyler Freeman hit a two-run homer and Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez each drove in a pair, sending the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Triston McKenzie (2-2) allowed one run in five innings and struck out a season-high six. The right-hander had just five strikeouts in his first three starts after missing much of last season with a sprained elbow. Josh Naylor added a solo homer and Estevan Florial had a career-best three hits for

  • Top Plays vs. Chicago Bulls

    Top Plays vs. Chicago Bulls, 04/19/2024

  • Newsroom Ready: Killer whale calf rescue on hold after orca feeds on seal meat

    A second planned rescue effort for a killer whale calf stranded in a Vancouver Island lagoon has been put on hold after she ate seal meat tossed to her by First Nations members. The First Nation and Fisheries Department say the feeding means they may be able to lure her out of the lagoon and gives them time to plan a capture. (April 19, 2024)

  • Killer whale calf rescue on hold after orca feeds on seal meat

    A second planned rescue effort for a killer whale calf stranded in a Vancouver Island lagoon has been put on hold after she ate seal meat tossed to her by First Nations members. The First Nation and Fisheries Department say the feeding means they may be able to lure her out of the lagoon and gives them time to plan a capture. (April 19, 2024)

  • The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finale

    MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 24 points and was an assist shy of a triple-double, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 21 points and the Miami Heat grabbed the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, running away from the Chicago Bulls 112-91 in a play-in tournament elimination game Friday night. Kevin Love scored 16 and Bam Adebayo added 13 for Miami, which gets this as a reward: a rematch of the last two East finals against the Boston Celtics. It's Round 1 this time, the Heat set to be huge u

  • USC scraps outside speakers at commencement after canceling Muslim student's speech

    The University of Southern California announced there will be no outside speakers and honorees at this year's main commencement ceremony after canceling its valedictorian speech from a Muslim student who said she was silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred. "Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year's ceremony," the university said in a statement on Friday. USC Provost Andrew Guzman said on Monday the speech of the Muslim valedictorian, biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, was canceled.

  • What a shot by Ayo Dosunmu

    What a shot by Ayo Dosunmu, 04/19/2024

  • DeMar DeRozan dials from long distance

    DeMar DeRozan dials from long distance, 04/19/2024

  • What a shot by Alex Caruso

    What a shot by Alex Caruso, 04/19/2024

  • Nikola Vucevic with a 2 Pt vs. Miami Heat

    Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls) with a 2 Pt vs. Miami Heat, 04/19/2024

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. slams it home

    Jaime Jaquez Jr. slams it home, 04/19/2024

  • Caleb Martin sends the shot away

    Caleb Martin sends the shot away, 04/19/2024