How James Gunn's Horror Roots Led To Marvel

Zombies, alien slugs, and an R-rated "Scooby-Doo" — honestly, it's kind of a miracle James Gunn joined the family-friendly Marvel universe. Most of the world learned Gunn's name after he wrote and directed "Guardians of the Galaxy" for the MCU, a rollicking superhero team-up that blended comedy and action in a way the whole family could enjoy. But even audiences with no prior knowledge of Gunn's work could sense something different about this MCU outing. Take one look at his previous filmography, and those differences start to click. Let's look at why Marvel should probably have been a little more Gunn-shy about bringing him onboard — and why we're all so glad they weren't. Here's a glimpse into the James Gunn horrors that came way before his MCU days.