James Gunn

James Francis Gunn Jr. (born August 5, 1966) is an American filmmaker, executive and actor. He began his career as a screenwriter in the mid-1990s, starting at Troma Entertainment with Tromeo and Juliet (1997). He then began working as a director, starting with the horror-comedy film Slither (2006), and moving to the superhero genre with Super (2010), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), The Suicide Squad (2021), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery hired Gunn to become co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios. He also wrote and directed the web series James Gunn's PG Porn (2008–2009), the HBO Max original series Peacemaker (2022–present), and the Disney+ original special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022). Other projects he is known for is writing for the 2004 remake of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978), writing the live-action adaptation of Scooby Doo (2002), and its sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), writing and producing the horror-action film The Belko Experiment (2016), producing the superhero-horror film Brightburn (2019), and contributing to comedy-anthology film Movie 43 (2013) (directing the segment "Beezel") and the 2012 hack-and-slash video game Lollipop Chainsaw. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Gunn, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2001)

When the notorious Diaper Mafia take hostage the Tromaville School for the Very Special, only the Toxic Avenger and his morbidly obese sidekick Lardass can save Tromaville.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman
CAST:  David Mattey  •  Clyde Lewis  •  Heidi Sjursen  •  Paul Kyrmse

When the notorious Diaper Mafia take hostage the Tromaville School for the Very Special, only the Toxic Avenger and his morbidly obese sidekick Lardass can save Tromaville.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman
CAST:  David Mattey  •  Clyde Lewis  •  Heidi Sjursen  •  Paul Kyrmse

LolliLove (2004)

A hip, misguided Southern California couple decide to make a difference in the lives of the homeless by giving them lollipops with a cheery slogan on the wrapper.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jenna Fischer
CAST:  James Gunn  •  Jenna Fischer  •  Peter Alton  •  Sarah Sido

A hip, misguided Southern California couple decide to make a difference in the lives of the homeless by giving them lollipops with a cheery slogan on the wrapper.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jenna Fischer
CAST:  James Gunn  •  Jenna Fischer  •  Peter Alton  •  Sarah Sido

Slither (2006)

BoringDarkSimpleWeird

A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Nathan Fillion  •  Don Thompson  •  Elizabeth Banks  •  Gregg Henry

A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Nathan Fillion  •  Don Thompson  •  Elizabeth Banks  •  Gregg Henry

The Specials (2000)

America's 7th Best Superhero Team, the Specials, are a group of geeks and oddballs. We get to see one day in their lives as fan and new member Nightbird joins the group, just in time for the group to get a new line of action figures. But the members' extreme ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Craig Mazin
CAST:  Jordan Ladd  •  Rob Lowe  •  Jamie Kennedy  •  Thomas Haden Church

America's 7th Best Superhero Team, the Specials, are a group of geeks and oddballs. We get to see one day in their lives as fan and new member Nightbird joins the group, just in time for the group to get a new line of action figures. But the members' extreme ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Craig Mazin
CAST:  Jordan Ladd  •  Rob Lowe  •  Jamie Kennedy  •  Thomas Haden Church

Tromeo & Juliet (1996)

A modern, punk adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. Told irreverently, this film attempts to impact the viewer in the same way theatre-goers were effected in Shakespeare's time. Bawdy, Violent, Humorous, and Romantic.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman
CAST:  Jane Jensen  •  Will Keenan  •  Valentine Miele  •  William Beckwith

A modern, punk adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. Told irreverently, this film attempts to impact the viewer in the same way theatre-goers were effected in Shakespeare's time. Bawdy, Violent, Humorous, and Romantic.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman
CAST:  Jane Jensen  •  Will Keenan  •  Valentine Miele  •  William Beckwith

Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)

Marital infidelity, religion, a guy in heaven wearing a Wizards jersey, anal fetishes, cigarettes and schizophrenia, ghosts, and how it’s going to get worse before it gets better.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Odenkirk
CAST:  Michael Blieden  •  Stephanie Courtney  •  Annabelle Gurwitch  •  Maura Tierney

Marital infidelity, religion, a guy in heaven wearing a Wizards jersey, anal fetishes, cigarettes and schizophrenia, ghosts, and how it’s going to get worse before it gets better.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Odenkirk
CAST:  Michael Blieden  •  Stephanie Courtney  •  Annabelle Gurwitch  •  Maura Tierney

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Action-packedAdventurousFunnyBrilliant

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Chris Pratt  •  Dave Bautista  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Michael Rooker

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Chris Pratt  •  Dave Bautista  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Michael Rooker

Movie 43 (2013)

Fifteen directors and an all-star cast created this twisted comedy that follows three teens on the hunt for the world's most banned film.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elizabeth Banks  •  Bob Odenkirk  •  Peter Farrelly  •  Brett Ratner  •  Griffin Dunne  •  James Gunn  •  Steven Brill  •  Steve Carr  •  James Duffy  •  Patrik Forsberg  •  Rusty Cundieff  •  Jonathan van Tulleken  •  Will Graham
CAST:  Dennis Quaid  •  Greg Kinnear  •  Common  •  Charlie Saxton

Fifteen directors and an all-star cast created this twisted comedy that follows three teens on the hunt for the world's most banned film.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elizabeth Banks  •  Bob Odenkirk  •  Peter Farrelly  •  Brett Ratner  •  Griffin Dunne  •  James Gunn  •  Steven Brill  •  Steve Carr  •  James Duffy  •  Patrik Forsberg  •  Rusty Cundieff  •  Jonathan van Tulleken  •  Will Graham
CAST:  Dennis Quaid  •  Greg Kinnear  •  Common  •  Charlie Saxton

Doggie Tails, Vol. 1: Lucky's First Sleep-Over (2003)

It's Lucky's first night away from home and it's scary... Until her kennel friends show her that a little independence can be Big Doggie Fun!  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jenna Fischer  •  Gabriel Friedman  •  James Gunn  •  Lloyd Kaufman

It's Lucky's first night away from home and it's scary... Until her kennel friends show her that a little independence can be Big Doggie Fun!  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jenna Fischer  •  Gabriel Friedman  •  James Gunn  •  Lloyd Kaufman

Super (2010)

After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Rainn Wilson  •  Elliot Page  •  Liv Tyler  •  Kevin Bacon

After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Rainn Wilson  •  Elliot Page  •  Liv Tyler  •  Kevin Bacon

Tales from the Crapper (2004)

Anthology of horror stories from Troma Entertainment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Brian Spitz  •  Chad Ferrin  •  Gabriel Friedman  •  India Allen  •  Dave Paiko
CAST:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Julie Strain  •  Arban Ornelas  •  Kevin Eastman

Anthology of horror stories from Troma Entertainment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Brian Spitz  •  Chad Ferrin  •  Gabriel Friedman  •  India Allen  •  Dave Paiko
CAST:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Julie Strain  •  Arban Ornelas  •  Kevin Eastman

The Ghouls (2003)

Eric Hayes is a stringer. One notch below the lowest rung of the journalistic ladder. A video vulture preying on police chases, ambulance runs, and random street violence, selling his footage to the highest bidder and living on a steady diet of cigarettes and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chad Ferrin
CAST:  Timothy Muskatell  •  Tina Birchfield  •  Trent Haaga  •  Joseph Pilato

Eric Hayes is a stringer. One notch below the lowest rung of the journalistic ladder. A video vulture preying on police chases, ambulance runs, and random street violence, selling his footage to the highest bidder and living on a steady diet of cigarettes and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chad Ferrin
CAST:  Timothy Muskatell  •  Tina Birchfield  •  Trent Haaga  •  Joseph Pilato

Done the Impossible (2006)

A documentary covering Firefly's birth, death and rebirth from the perspective of both the fans and the cast and crew of both productions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Hadlock  •  Jason Heppler  •  Jeremy Neish  •  Jared Nelson  •  Brian Wiser
CAST:  Adam Baldwin  •  Jewel Staite  •  Alan Tudyk  •  Christina Hendricks

A documentary covering Firefly's birth, death and rebirth from the perspective of both the fans and the cast and crew of both productions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Hadlock  •  Jason Heppler  •  Jeremy Neish  •  Jared Nelson  •  Brian Wiser
CAST:  Adam Baldwin  •  Jewel Staite  •  Alan Tudyk  •  Christina Hendricks

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Chris Pratt  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Dave Bautista  •  Bradley Cooper

The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Chris Pratt  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Dave Bautista  •  Bradley Cooper

Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe (2014)

A look at the story behind Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from all of the Marvel films, the Marvel One-Shots and "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Robert Downey Jr.  •  Chris Hemsworth  •  Chris Evans  •  Mark Ruffalo

A look at the story behind Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from all of the Marvel films, the Marvel One-Shots and "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Robert Downey Jr.  •  Chris Hemsworth  •  Chris Evans  •  Mark Ruffalo

Produce Your Own Damn Movie! (2011)

When it comes to producing, no one speaks with more authority than Lloyd Kaufman creator of The Toxic Avenger and founder of the longest-running independent film studio, Troma Entertainment. Over the years he has discovered talents such as Trey Parker and Matt ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman
CAST:  Roger Corman  •  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Avi Lerner  •  David Cronenberg

When it comes to producing, no one speaks with more authority than Lloyd Kaufman creator of The Toxic Avenger and founder of the longest-running independent film studio, Troma Entertainment. Over the years he has discovered talents such as Trey Parker and Matt ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Kaufman
CAST:  Roger Corman  •  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Avi Lerner  •  David Cronenberg

Tromatized: Meet Lloyd Kaufman (2009)

A portrait of legendary American film company Troma, Inc., an independent New York-based production house that has specialized in Z-films for over 30 years, and of Troma's eccentric president Lloyd Kaufman.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fabien Martorell
CAST:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Tiffany Shepis  •  Trent Haaga  •  James Gunn

A portrait of legendary American film company Troma, Inc., an independent New York-based production house that has specialized in Z-films for over 30 years, and of Troma's eccentric president Lloyd Kaufman.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fabien Martorell
CAST:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  Tiffany Shepis  •  Trent Haaga  •  James Gunn

Apocalypse Soon: The Making of 'Citizen Toxie' (2002)

A feature-length documentary on the making of Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000)  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gabriel Friedman
CAST:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  David Mattey  •  Trent Haaga  •  Heidi Sjursen

A feature-length documentary on the making of Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000)  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gabriel Friedman
CAST:  Lloyd Kaufman  •  David Mattey  •  Trent Haaga  •  Heidi Sjursen

Sparky & Mikaela (2008)

The exploits of a Wonder Woman wannabe and a vulgar raccoon.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Mikaela Hoover  •  Joe Fria  •  Gregg Henry  •  Sean Gunn

The exploits of a Wonder Woman wannabe and a vulgar raccoon.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Mikaela Hoover  •  Joe Fria  •  Gregg Henry  •  Sean Gunn

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Margot Robbie  •  Idris Elba  •  John Cena  •  Viola Davis

Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gunn
CAST:  Margot Robbie  •  Idris Elba  •  John Cena  •  Viola Davis
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