James Gunn Addresses Facebook Deactivation Amid Batman Controversy

DC Studios CEO James Gunn clarifies recent Facebook account deactivation and controversial Batman comments.

The Facebook Deactivation Speculation

James Gunn, the head of DC Studios, has responded to rumors surrounding the deactivation of his personal Facebook account following the resurgence of old comments critiquing Batman films directed by Christopher Nolan and Tim Burton.

Gunn, along with Peter Safran, assumed the roles of co-CEOs at DC Studios in late 2022, unveiling exciting plans for the DC Universe in film and television. Among these plans was the promise of a new Batman film. Gunn, known for his active online presence, frequently used his social media accounts to engage with fans and provide insights into his upcoming projects. However, his engagement on Facebook has ceased.

James Gunn’s Facebook Status

James Gunn’s personal Facebook account recently vanished, displaying a “content deleted” message when accessed. Notably, his professional Facebook page remains active. This disappearance fueled speculation that Gunn had voluntarily deactivated his account, potentially due to the resurfacing of his contentious remarks about Batman movies.

In comments dating back to 2012, Gunn criticized Michael Keaton’s Batman for having a “ridiculous voice,” labeled Tim Burton’s Batman as “poorly written” and “boring,” and harshly criticized Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker. Gunn also expressed reservations about Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, asserting that none of them reached classic status, and even questioned the quality of Batman Begins.

Gunn’s Response and Account Security

James Gunn addressed the speculation surrounding his Facebook deactivation via an Instagram post, clarifying that someone had attempted to access his account, prompting Facebook to restrict public access until the account’s security could be ensured. Gunn acknowledged his long absence from the platform, admitting he was unsure how to navigate the process to regain access.

Contextualizing the Controversy

It is crucial to consider that Gunn’s critical comments were made eleven years ago, predating his involvement with DC. It is entirely possible that his perspective on Batman films has evolved since 2012, particularly given the considerable amount of Batman content released in the intervening years.

This incident is not the first time Gunn’s past statements have sparked controversy. In 2018, he faced repercussions when Disney severed ties with him over controversial jokes he made on Twitter from 2008 to 2012 while directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. Gunn issued apologies, and in March 2019, he was reinstated by Disney as the director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Gunn’s Enthusiasm for Batman’s Future

Despite his past criticisms, James Gunn remains enthusiastic about the future of Batman in DC films. He has expressed excitement for his own take on the Dark Knight in the DC Universe and has shown anticipation for Matt Reeves’ work on The Batman, describing it as “amazing stuff.”