James Gunn has steadily risen since he ventured into the mainstream with his Marvel films and currently serves as the co-CEO of DC Studios.

Filmmaker James Gunn was one of the freshest voices to come out of the indie scene when he helmed the runaway MCU hit Guardians of the Galaxy. With his signature humor and unique vision for films, Gunn delivered blockbusters not just in the Marvel universe but also with The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker.

His work on the two films got him the job of co-chief of DC Studios with his producing partner Peter Safran. As the head of the DCU, Gunn has been crafting the direction of the rebooted franchise, beginning with the Max animated show Creature Commandos, which he wrote, and the upcoming film Superman.

What is James Gunn’s net worth?

James Gunn’s tenure as a filmmaker reportedly began when he was 12 when he began making homemade films with his brother. Since then, Gunn has grown to be one of the leading filmmakers in Hollywood who tackles big-budget blockbusters and is tasked with steering one of the biggest franchises in the world.

Gunn’s films have consistently earned big at the box office. While his first two films Slither and Super were box office failures, they became cult classics, giving him the much-needed leverage to tackle his first large-scale MCU film Guardians of the Galaxy. The ensemble film was a huge commercial success and earned $773 million globally (via Box Office Mojo).

His 2017 follow-up to the film Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2 was an even bigger hit, earning $869 million at the worldwide box office against a $200 million budget (via The Numbers). Though the numbers for his threequel Vol. 3 were not as much as its predecessor, earning $849 million (via Box Office Mojo), it gave a much-needed boost to the MCU at the time of release.

While his The Suicide Squad was not big of a hit at the cinemas, as it was simultaneously released on streaming, the critical appreciation for the film gave Gunn the chance to develop Peacemaker, following which he was named the co-chief of DC Studios along with his producing partner Peter Safran.

According to Marca, Christopher Nolan’s net worth in 2025 is a whopping $70 million. There have been no reports of his salary in any of the Marvel films nor for his position as the DC Studios CEO. The new position certainly could come with a lot of perks and so will his gig as the director of the upcoming juggernaut Superman.

James Gunn has grown from being a screenwriter to the chief of a studio

David Corenswet in Superman | Credits: DC Studios

James Gunn’s career began not as a filmmaker but reportedly as a musician. The Superman filmmaker was reportedly a founding member of a band named The Icons. The filmmaker mentioned in an Instagram post that he was part of multiple bands during the late ‘80s and still wrote songs occasionally.

Around 1986-1989 I played in rock bands – The Icons, the PODS, and even a band called MOM, playing in bars throughout the Midwest and, for a time, Arizona. It was a difficult and sporadically joyous time in my life… At the end of the day, I loved writing music and performing but I realized my greater talents lied elsewhere and gave up playing music as my profession.

After his stint as a musician, Gunn reportedly took to entertainment, beginning his career as a screenwriter with the film Tromeo and Juliet. He also wrote the scripts for Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and The Specials. He was the writer for future DCEU architect Zack Snyder’s debut film Dawn of the Dead.

Gunn made his directorial debut with the horror film Slither. Despite being a box office failure, the film gained considerable critical acclaim, with many appreciating its homage to the B-movie sub-genre and Gunn’s visual style. His second film, the black comedy superhero film Super also received similar responses.

Gunn then hit it big with the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. He also served as an additional writer for the film Avengers: Infinity War, while he served as an uncredited director for additional scenes in Doctor Strange and Spider-Man: Homecoming. He went on to direct The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker before being named the CEO of DC Studios.

How much do James Gunn’s properties cost?

James Gunn | Credits: Inside of You Podcast

Apart from his paydays as the director of incredibly successful Marvel films, the co-chief of DC Studios, and his work as a producer, James Gunn’s assets also include his homes in LA. The filmmaker reportedly had a home with his then-wife actress Jenna Fischer, known for her work in The Office, which he listed for sale in 2017 for $1.875 million (via Celebrity Net Worth).

The filmmaker reportedly bought a mansion in Malibu for $6.25 million back in 2016. After three years, the mansion was reportedly listed for sale at $7.4 million. It was ultimately sold for $6.875 million. Gunn also reportedly bought a home in Bel Air for $8.5 million. The house was reportedly built for actress Mia Farrow by her parents (via Robb Report).