James Gunn’s Superman & Guardians Of The Galaxy Collaborator Explains Why He Prefers Working With DC

Superman‘s co-composer, John Murphy, explains why he prefers working with DC compared to Marvel Studios. The composer is a frequent collaborator of James Gunn, having written scores for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad for the DC Prolonged Universe.

The extremely rated new Superman film marked the newest venture from the 28 Days Later composer, who wrote the tracks “Theme from Superman (Official Trailer Model),” “LuthorCorp,” “Lois & Clark,” “Elevating the Flag,” and “Strolling on Air.”

In an interview with ScreenRant, Murphy in contrast his expertise working with Marvel Studios and DC. He shared that he got here to work with Marvel on GotG Vol. 3, and whereas he appreciated the general “skilled” strategy, he did really feel the emotional distance and admitted to having to “cope with politics individually.” DC, however, which is tied to “an previous relationship,” has a extra “close-knit really feel.” Learn his feedback beneath:

It is totally different, however there’s a number of causes for that. Let’s take The Suicide Squad, which was earlier than James was the pinnacle of DC. Even with The Suicide Squad, there was a lot respect for him that I do not bear in mind any studio notes. I simply do not bear in mind them. I believe he was simply trusted, and it was actually simply coping with him.

Murphy shared that working with Gunn felt like “engaged on an indie movie,” which reminded him of engaged on the 28 movies with Danny Boyle and Man Ritchie on Lock, Inventory, and Two Smoking Barrels. Try what he stated:

The most effective issues about working with him is that it is like engaged on an indie movie, however blown up. Within the previous days, I might sit with Danny Boyle in a room having a number of beers, and we might watch the film and undergo stuff. Or Man Ritchie stayed with me in Liverpool for a bit, and we went by way of [the movie] and it was identical to you chilling, [going,] “What are we going to do right here?”

However despite the fact that James wasn’t on the studio right here, we might FaceTime and we might e mail so much and stuff. It was nonetheless simply coping with him. And that was very a lot the case on this too. There would typically be notes–there have been some notes on Superman–but it was actually the conversations and concepts and stuff between the execs and James, simply of their regular artistic course of.

I am unable to recall a single event the place anybody ever informed him what to do. I believe he simply does his personal factor.

The composer shared that Marvel had a “totally different setup” that made him really feel like a “a part of a giant machine.” Placing an emphasis on the variations of experiences, Murphy careworn that he isn’t essentially saying that DC is best. Learn his remark beneath:

I needed to cope with politics individually with engaged on Marvel, nevertheless it’s only a very totally different setup, and I might by no means labored with Marvel earlier than Guardians.

With any movie this dimension, there’s all the time an even bigger machine behind the scenes happening. Coping with Marvel individuals, they have been very skilled, however you’re feeling such as you’re a part of a giant machine, whereas DC felt a bit extra close-knit.

[That’s] additionally as a result of I’ve recognized the pinnacle of music at Warners since I first got here to Hollywood. Paul Broucek–he gave me my first film. So, there was far more of a close-knit really feel with Warners and DC. I might get away with a bit extra. I might throw a tantrum and never be fired. I could not actually do this with Marvel. what I imply? I needed to play good.

So, it is a totally different factor. However possibly if I went did one other film with Marvel, it could be a second time round and [feel different.] It is totally different, however there’s loads of causes for that, not simply because Marvel is totally different from DC.

My relationship with DC can be tied in with an previous relationship with Paul and the workers at Warner, so it might be unfair to go “DC is best.” It is simply totally different.

What This Means For Superman 2025 And DC

Murphy’s remark affords some perception into the artistic course of behind Superman‘s soundtrack, which is the results of a collaborative and expressive effort between him, David Fleming, Gunn, and the studio executives. The brand new film incorporates John Williams’ iconic Superman themes whereas mixing orchestral with indie and punk. Because the film’s launch, the soundtrack has acquired compliments for its eclecticism.

The 28 Days Later composer additionally affords an unique insider’s sneak peek into the totally different dynamics and work cultures between Marvel and DC, each are main gamers within the superhero style and comedian e book trade. Curiously, Marvel Studios, chargeable for making Avengers: Endgame, the second-highest-grossing film of all time, has a popularity for producing field workplace smash hits.

DC, however, has produced a number of critically acclaimed titles, together with the Oscar-winning The Darkish Knight, Tim Burton’s Batman, and the 2019 Joker.

Our Take On Superman 2025

The brand new Superman film handed the $300 million milestone earlier this week, which marks DC film to cross the edge in years. The film additionally acquired rave critiques from critics and followers alike, with an 83% essential rating and a 91% viewers rating on Rotten Tomatoes. John Murphy and David Fleming’s electic soundtracks added refreshing twists to the enduring Superman theme and considerably contributed to the movie’s general high quality.

The composer’s remark affords some perception into the artistic construction and imaginative and prescient behind the various types and distinctive tasks DC featured all year long. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, is constructed upon a steady narrative throughout a number of films. Murphy’s remark additionally sheds some mild on how the studio managed to take care of consistency and construct long-term thriving relationships with artistic minds.