James Gunn, the writer/director behind The Suicide Squad and its HBO Max spinoff series Peacemaker, responded to the fan-led movement to #BoycottWB.
“DC is not one thing,” Gunn said. “A beautiful aspect of comics – & films based on comics – is they can be in any genre & for many ages. Most of us are comfortable seeing a variety of feels in our comics, films & shows.”
Earlier this month, a campaign to boycott Warner Bros. began trending on social media under the hashtag #BoycottWB, as fans expressed largely negative feelings about the studio and its handling of the DC Extended Universe, culminating in the sentiment that Warner Bros. does not serve the best interests of its fanbase. The campaign started a day after the premiere of Gunn’s Peacemaker on HBO Max and shortly after an announcement that Justice League producer Geoff Johns would be returning to DC Comics for Flashpoint Beyond.
Among the myriad of issues brought up in the hashtag, fans noted Warner Bros.’ treatment of Justice League (2017) star Ray Fisher, who made multiple allegations against director Joss Whedon for “abusive, unprofessional and completely unacceptable” behavior on set. Fisher had also made accusations against both Johns and DC Films President Walter Hamada for enabling Whedon’s behavior. There was also the issue of changes made to Justice League following the exit of original director Zack Snyder.
Fans also pointed out the negative effect that playing Batman in the DCEU had on the mental health of Ben Affleck, who has portrayed the Dark Knight since Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Affleck has stated that filming the Justice League was the “worst experience” for him, which led to him stepping away from starring and directing in The Batman.
Gunn returned to the DCEU to write and direct Peacemaker, starring John Cena as the titular anti-hero, which picks up directly after the events of The Suicide Squad. The series sees Christopher Smith/Peacemaker drafted into an off-the-books mission known as Project Butterfly, with ARGUS agents Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), John Economos (Steve Agee), Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji) and Leota Abedayo (Danielle Brooks), as well as Adrian Chase/Vigilante (Freddie Stroma).
When Peacemaker was first announced, Gunn called the series “an opportunity to delve into current world issues through the lens of this superhero/supervillain/and world’s biggest douchebag.” He said, “I’m excited to expand The Suicide Squad and bring this character from the DC film universe to the full breadth of a series.” Currently, Peacemaker is the DCEU’s best-reviewed project.
New episodes of Peacemaker drop every Thursday on HBO Max.
Source: Twitter
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