James Gunn Reveals How He Avoids The Biggest Problem In Blockbuster Movies
Reshoots have become the norm for blockbuster movies, but James Gunn recently revealed on social media that he rarely uses them. The director, who has become synonymous with the superhero genre, also explained what he does to ensure he doesn’t need to rely on the costly filmmaking method. His list of steps also provides a window into the director’s creative process and filmmaking priorities.
Overpreparing
James Gunn’s thoughts on the matter came from a discussion on Threads about how much of filmmaking comes after shooting. The director mentioned editing, special effects, and sound as elements that still need to be done when filming is finished.
When it was pointed out that he left reshoots of the list, the director claimed that on his last two movies combined, he only needed one day of additional filming.
James Gunn then explained how he avoids the need for reshoots, with a list of things he does that ensure he doesn’t need to double back on filming.
His list includes overpreparing, not shooting until the script is done, careful casting and hiring of department heads, hiring people who will challenge him, and constantly looking for imperfections while shooting. He then doubled down on his first two points by making his final list entry “1 and 2 again!”
Casting
The director also reiterated the importance of casting in his methodology by giving more details on how he approaches the task. James Gunn called the casting process “lengthy” as he wants a reliable actor who can deliver a performance without needing reshoots.
He also stated that he does background checks on potential actors and asks previous collaborators about them.
Given the number of blockbuster hits James Gunn has made, his meticulous methods seem to have paid off.
The success of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise for Marvel has landed him the creative lead of the entire DCU, beginning with his upcoming movie Superman. His ability to do so without costly reshoots is even more impressive.
Planning
The emphasis on planning and avoiding reshoots could help James Gunn in his new position, building the DCU. The modern superhero genre is known for its interconnected continuity and intricate overarching plots, which require careful planning to pull off. The genre is also known for its ballooning budgets, which could be slimmed down by avoiding the costs of additional shooting time.
Superman
With Superman’s shooting being finished, it will be interesting to see if James Gunn can continue to avoid reshoots. A lot is riding on the film, which will kick off the DCU as movies are floundering at the box office and many fans are abandoning the superhero genre altogether. The movies that come after Superman will further test his methods, as they will prove if his skills as a director translate to his position as an executive.
More News To Come
Seeing James Gunn talk so openly about his filmmaking methods and how he avoids reshoots is fascinating. His ability to eliminate the need to come back for extra shooting could help solve one of the biggest production problems in modern Hollywood blockbusters. Audiences will find out if his techniques continue to pay off on July 11th, 2025 when Superman comes to theaters.
Source: Variety
