James Gunn has revealed that he actually enjoys a certain kind of hatred from fans, turning the usual social media backlash into an unexpectedly affectionate exchange. The filmmaker has never been shy about jumping into online conversations, whether they involve DC, his movies, or the fandom debates that seem to follow him everywhere. That willingness to engage has made Gunn one of Hollywood’s most unusually accessible filmmakers, particularly when the internet decides to sharpen its knives.

There is a strange rhythm to being James Gunn online. The same filmmaker who can spark furious arguments among superhero fans can also wander into the replies and treat the whole thing like another day at the digital office.

James Gunn’s latest exchange on Threads offered another example of the unusual relationship with his audience. A fan admitted to being one of the people who “loves to hate” Gunn, while also making it clear that the criticism comes from someone who has genuinely enjoyed his work. The fan even joked about the notorious Snyder fandom before praising Gunn for consistently delivering entertaining movies.

Gunn did not take the bait. Instead, he replied with a line that turned the insult into something almost complimentary.

“This is the kind of hatred I really enjoy,” he said.

That is also why Gunn’s social media replies can be so entertaining. He has spent years responding directly to fans, critics, questions and the occasional aggressively worded post, often meeting the tone of the person on the other side rather than hiding behind the usual Hollywood distance. When the conversation turns toward his movies, he is similarly willing to engage with both praise and criticism. It makes his online presence feel less like a carefully managed publicity feed and more like a filmmaker who genuinely reads the comments.

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Yet Gunn had another piece of business to handle online, and this time the update pointed toward what comes after his current Superman project.

While fans are still waiting for Superman: Man of Tomorrow, James Gunn has apparently already moved his attention toward his next film. He confirmed on Threads that he is “Already in it,” explaining that he had something to work on while waiting for the assembly cut.

The comment comes as Man of Tomorrow enters post-production. Gunn has also confirmed that the assembly cut is complete, following the film’s production and setting the stage for the next phase of work. The sequel is scheduled for July 9, 2027, with David Corenswet returning as Superman and Nicholas Hoult back as Lex Luthor.

The film will bring Superman and Luthor into an unlikely alliance against Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger, while Rachel Brosnahan, Aaron Pierre, Milly Alcock, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced and Edi Gathegi are among the returning or continuing DCU players. Gunn is therefore already looking beyond the next Superman chapter, even while fans are still dissecting every scrap of information about it.

For Gunn, that constant movement may explain why even the hate becomes part of the fun. He keeps making movies, keeps answering the internet and, apparently, keeps finding entertainment in people who insist they cannot stand him.

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What do you think of Gunn’s response to the fan? Share your thoughts in the comments.