Part 2/9:
James Gunn, both the director and co-head of DC Studios, has actively tried to shape public perception. In the lead-up to the film's release, Gunn has engaged in extensive marketing, even making some missteps—such as commenting on how political the movie is—possibly fueling additional controversy. His comments about the movie not needing to “make a bunch of money,” and attempts to temper expectations, seem like strategic moves to manage potential disappointment.