James Gunn Named One of EW’s Entertainers of the Year | Why It Actually Matters

Every December, Entertainment Weekly spotlights the artists who defined the year with its “Entertainers of the Year” list

It’s an honor dating back to the early 1990s.

It’s not a trophy or a televised ceremony but a curated recognition of the creators who moved the industry forward, delivered meaningful work, and shaped the cultural conversation.

Past honorees range from Oscar winners to chart topping musicians, but the throughline has always been the same… that these are the people who made the year impossible to ignore.

In 2025, James Gunn earned his place among them and it’s not hard to see why.

Gunn didn’t just release a movie or produce a show. He helped launch an entirely new era for one of the biggest and most scrutinized franchises on the planet.

The DC Universe.

July 2025 saw the release of his film Superman, a bold reset that reintroduced the Man of Steel with heart, optimism, and a modern voice.

Then, just over one month later, he delivered Peacemaker Season 2, proving he could jump from hopeful iconography to chaotic, character driven comedy without missing a beat.

The craziest thing is, he did all of this while co-heading DC Studios, overseeing long term world building, greenlighting new projects, crafting interconnected storytelling, and setting the tone for an entire cinematic and television ecosystem. Oh… and let’s not forget, debunking crazy rumors and pathetic losers on the internet too.

In the world of entertainment most creators struggle to juggle just one major project at a time.

Gunn had two major releases in the same summer all while architecting a brand new connected universe.

That’s not just productivity that’s downright leadership paired with creative stamina.

John Cena’s tribute in EW captured what many already know.

Gunn’s work ethic and imagination are reshaping DC from the inside out. And for fans, this recognition isn’t just a pat on the back, it’s fuel.

It’s a sign that the direction of the new DCU is resonating beyond the hardcore fanbase. That Hollywood, critics, and audiences are paying attention. And that the foundation he built in 2025 is only the beginning.

So congratulations to James Gunn… not just for the award, but for pulling off one of the most ambitious one two punches in modern superhero storytelling.

If Superman and Peacemaker Season 2 were the opening moves, the next chapters of the DC Universe are about to get even more exciting.