James Gunn’s career boasts some genre-defining superhero films. In an exclusive interview with us in Manila (Philippines), ahead of the release of his next, Superman (inset), the Hollywood filmmaker admits to being inspired by Indian movies: “Bollywood films are important to me when I’m telling stories. They (Indian filmmakers) aren’t afraid of making a film with a heart, has drama, is funny and has music. All those things are beautiful. Life isn’t just one genre, and that’s where I take my inspiration from.”

With the ever-expanding superhero universe in the West, does James have a plan to find an Indian superhero for it soon? “I’d love to see an Indian actor be a part of the superhero universe. But, I would also love to have Indian filmmaking collaborations. We think that there are heroes all over the world that we could focus on and filmmakers from all over the world that can tell their stories within the DC universe. We’ve already got things started in Korea, Japan and Brazil. So, it’d be great to collaborate with some Indians too,” he says.

The films in the superhero genre in India have seen a spike in recent years, and even James has taken a note of the growing interest of the Indian audience in the genre: “I’m incredibly grateful for the Indian fans, and I talk to them all the time online. There are so many fans of Superman in India and that isn’t lost on me when I’m making this movie, as I know how much he means to the people of your country,” he says.

Superman sees actor David Corenswet take over the baton of the superhero from actor Henry Cavill. Ask James why the story of Superman deserved a retelling, and he says, “It isn’t a retelling. It’s about a different part of Superman’s life, where he’s been Superman for three years, and is beginning his relationship with Lois Lane. It’s a part that has never been seen before.”

Over the years, James Gunn has made a name for himself by creating a superhero universe. The American filmmaker admits that the larger-than-life canvas of Indian films has played a huge role in his journey as a storyteller. 

Gunn, who is credited with bringing together the Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise and taking it to new heights, tells us, “Indian films, in particular, have been a big influence on me, which reflects in the Guardians franchise. I have always been attracted to Indian films and Asian cinema more than I am attracted to European or American cinema.” 

The 56-year-old continues, “The boundaries are much broader (in Indian projects) than in American projects, which are more confined. A lot of the time, you are only allowed to have one genre, like this movie must be a comedy only or an action film, etc. That’s not true for Indian films.”

Gunn, who’s now working on Superman: Legacy, admits to having grown up watching Indian projects. “Indian films allow the full human experience in one movie where we are able to experience a comedy with drama, action, dancing and music. And I have put all of these things in the Guardians films, [albeit] through a Western lens. I have grown up watching those types of films from India, Korea, Japan and other places. In fact, Hong Kong’s style of filmmaking has also influenced my style,” says the director, who recently wrapped up the popular franchise with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. 

Gunn’s tryst with filmmaking started with an eight-millimetre camera when he was 12, and he started his career in bigger films by writing scripts for Scooby-Doo movies, Dawn Of The Dead (2004) and more. 

Opening up about his journey so far, he says, “I was raised in a rural part of Missouri and [as a kid] felt like an outcast, an odd ball. Now, I make movies about oddballs such as the Guardians.”

He ends on a philosophical note: “It’s funny how often life imitates art, and art imitates life. But over the years, the Guardians and everyone involved [in it] have become a family. It has been an experience where you only have the best parts to take away.”

In the final leg of the journey, our beloved bunch of misfits take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride with Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3. The last instalment of the trilogy has enough and more surprises in store for you. Chris Pratt, the charming Star-Lord/Peter Quill, and James Gunn, one of the biggest filmmakers in the superhero universe, have been constants in the Guardians franchise for almost a decade. In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, Chris and James speak about their latest Marvel adventure, the longevity of superhero films and their take on Indian cinema.

James: My feelings are the same as theirs and probably multiplied by a hundred. It was a beautiful experience to watch the story come together. We have completed it in a way that’s true to ourselves and the creative process. But it was also sad since it was the last time I would be working with these characters (Peter, Rocket, Groot, Nebula, Gamora and Mantis), at least for some time. That’s a bittersweet feeling. I am so grateful for the entire experience, and I am happy. Chris: I am grateful to James for giving me this opportunity (hugs the director).

James: So many American spectacle films are based solely on the history of American films. One of the things that I love about Indian cinema is that you all don’t have all these set rules like American films do, and that has been a great inspiration for me. The Guardians movies are not only comedies, but also dramas and musicals. They also have action and adventure, and we don’t hold back with anything. I am a huge fan of Indian and Asian cinema (Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong). They inspire me more than anything else.

Chris: I agree. I was excited to see that the Best Original Song at the Oscars this year went to an Indian number (Naatu Naatu from RRR). Watching the dancers perform to that song live was extraordinary. It was a nice moment to appreciate how the borders between films from various countries are dissolving. Cinematic language is global. Indian films are now performing outside their massive fan base in India. I love Indian cinema. It’s fun, it’s whimsical. It never takes itself too seriously but is also not afraid to take itself too seriously in the same movie. Shifting tones and to be able to go from a joyous, fun choreographed dance number to a very heartfelt melodramatic moment – I feel that’s very special.

James: That really depends on the filmmakers. If movies are just about explosions and pyrotechnics and not about characters first, or don’t have a heart or a story, then superhero fatigue could be a real thing. The audience will eventually feel tired. However, if we focus on the characters and the story first, we can have superhero films as long as we want, like any other genre, like the western or musicals. If the movies are good, the audience will show up. If the movies are not good, they won’t.

Chris: Superhero names might be an impetus for studios willing to spend a lot of money on these films. But just because you have a studio that has a great deal of money to invest in a title, if you don’t start ground up and create extraordinary characters and tell a story that’s fantastic, regardless of the title, then you are pretty much doomed. It’s fantastic that people like James (Gunn) are going to contribute to these films that are grounded and are good quality movies.