James Gunn, the director of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and DC’s upcoming The Suicide Squad, recently spoke about the possibility of a Marvel/DC crossover. In an interview with Collider, Gunn revealed that he has had discussions about the idea, but emphasized that it’s not currently in the works.

“I’ve had conversations with people over at DC. I’ve had conversations with people over at Marvel. But, you know, it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon,” Gunn said. “I think we’re both happy making our own movies.”

The idea of a Marvel/DC crossover is certainly tantalizing for fans of both franchises. Imagine seeing Iron Man and Batman team up to take on a common foe, or Superman and Captain America battling side by side. It’s the kind of crossover that would be a dream come true for many comic book readers.

But as exciting as the idea may be, there are a number of practical obstacles to making it a reality. For one thing, the rights to the characters are split between two different studios: Marvel is owned by Disney, while DC is owned by Warner Bros. This means that any crossover would require a complex negotiation between the two companies.

There are also creative challenges involved. Marvel and DC have very different approaches to storytelling and world-building. Marvel is known for its interconnected cinematic universe, with each film building on the events of the ones that came before it. DC, on the other hand, has focused more on standalone stories that aren’t necessarily tied together.

This doesn’t mean that a crossover is impossible, but it does mean that it would require a lot of careful planning and coordination. And it’s not something that either studio is likely to rush into without careful consideration.

Despite these challenges, it’s clear that the idea of a Marvel/DC crossover is one that continues to captivate fans and creators alike. Gunn isn’t the first person associated with one of the franchises to express interest in the idea. Marvel’s Kevin Feige has also hinted that he’s open to the idea, saying in a 2018 interview with The Wrap that “never say never” when it comes to a crossover.

Of course, just because people are talking about the possibility of a crossover doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen. As Gunn himself noted, both Marvel and DC are currently focused on making their own movies, and there are plenty of exciting projects in the works for both franchises.

For Marvel, upcoming films include Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while DC has The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, and The Flash on the horizon. There’s plenty of excitement to be had in these individual projects, without necessarily needing a crossover to spice things up.

That being said, the fact that people are even discussing the possibility of a Marvel/DC crossover is a testament to the enduring appeal of both franchises. These characters have been entertaining audiences for decades, and the idea of seeing them team up is an irresistible one.

In the end, whether or not a Marvel/DC crossover ever happens is anyone’s guess. But for now, fans can continue to speculate and dream about the possibilities. And who knows – with the right combination of creative vision and corporate cooperation, maybe we’ll one day see Iron Man and Batman fighting side by side on the big screen.