DCU boss James Gunn criticized what he calls “cameo porn” in superhero films on Threads, stating that such appearances should contribute meaningfully to the overall narrative. Responding to a fan praising his approach of treating superheroes as developed characters rather than fan-service tools, Gunn writes, “If a character is in a film, they have to have a reason to be there story-wise.”

The director acknowledged that minor appearances are acceptable as long as they do not disrupt the narrative flow. “I don’t mind actual cameos–if it’s a glimpse or a moment, an Easter egg,” Gunn explained. “What bothers me is when they mangle an elegant story by shoehorning characters in. They aren’t there because the story calls for it, but for some other reason.”

The upcoming DCU film, Superman: Legacy, features an ensemble cast with David Corenset as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and characters including The Engineer, Mist…