Guardians of the Galaxy Director James Gunn Reignites DCU Casting Speculation

August 25, 2025 - Former Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has inadvertently sparked renewed controversy in the DC Universe as he was photographed with Eternals star Kumail Nanjiani at the Peacemaker Season 2 premiere, fueling speculation about one of the DCU’s most divisive casting rumors.

Booster Gold Casting Rumors Resurface

The appearance of Nanjiani alongside DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has reignited heated discussions about the Pakistani-American actor’s rumored casting as Booster Gold, a traditionally white American superhero in DC Comics. The controversy stems from reports that first surfaced in July 2024 when Nexus Point News claimed Nanjiani had landed the leading role in HBO’s upcoming Booster Gold live-action comedy series.

The casting has been contentious for multiple reasons, primarily due to concerns about race-swapping the character and Nanjiani’s age, as the 47-year-old actor would be portraying a hero typically depicted in his mid-thirties. Critics have also pointed to DC Studios’ pattern of casting older actors, noting that the studio already selected a 59-year-old to play Hal Jordan in HBO’s Lanterns series.

Gunn’s History with Nanjiani

The relationship between Gunn and Nanjiani extends back to their Marvel collaborations, where Gunn had “written a cameo for [his] friend” Nanjiani in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This friendship has led some observers to question whether Nanjiani’s presence at DC events reflects genuine casting decisions or simply personal support for Gunn’s new endeavors.

Booster Gold Project Update

The Booster Gold HBO series, which centers on Michael Carter-a far-future time traveler who becomes a superhero using advanced technology-has seen limited development since its announcement over two years ago. However, the project recently gained momentum with the hiring of Our Flag Means Death creator David Jenkins to pen the HBO pilot.

Industry sources suggest that if Nanjiani has indeed been cast, he may debut in an upcoming DCU project before his own series launches, potentially in Peacemaker Season 2, which Gunn teased will feature a “really, really, really big cameo”.

EPCOT Development

In other Guardians-related news, Walt Disney World’s EPCOT began a significant refurbishment today as Spaceship Earth closed for an extended renovation without a confirmed reopening date. This closure occurs as the park continues to showcase the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction, which opened in 2022 as part of Disney’s ongoing EPCOT transformation.

Industry Implications

While James Gunn has previously debunked various DCU rumors, notably he has remained silent on the Nanjiani casting speculation, leading industry watchers to believe there may be substance to the reports. The situation highlights the ongoing transition as Gunn moves from his successful tenure directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy to his new role reshaping the DC Universe for Warner Bros.

As the DCU continues to take shape under Gunn’s leadership, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see whether this latest speculation proves accurate and how it might impact the broader direction of DC’s cinematic universe.