‘Peacemaker’ Star Jennifer Holland Explains Why James Gunn Keeps Casting Family and Friends in His Projects

James Gunn has often been asked why so many familiar faces keep showing up in his movies. Whether it is his brother Sean Gunn, longtime collaborators like Michael Rooker, Nathan Fillion, and Steve Agee, or his wife Jennifer Holland, the filmmaker regularly works with people he already knows. Now, Holland has shared the reason behind that creative habit.

Speaking with CinemaBlend, Holland said Gunn’s casting decisions are not about favoritism. Instead, she explained that filmmaking can be a difficult and lonely experience, especially when productions take place far from home for months at a time. According to her, Gunn simply enjoys being surrounded by people he trusts during those long shoots.

“It really just comes about because James loves to have his friends and family around him all the time,” Holland said. “It’s hard to make movies; it’s lonely. You’re stuck in a place that’s not your home for a very long period of time.”

She continued by explaining that having loved ones nearby helps Gunn stay motivated throughout production. Rather than spending months away from everyone he knows, he tries to bring familiar people onto his projects whenever possible.

“You don’t have all of your friends and family with you, so as much as he can include friends and family in his movies, he tries. That gives them an excuse to be around and he really thrives on that. As much as he is a loner when it comes to sitting in an office, typing on his computer… he really is inspired by and revived by true relationships.”

The explanation offers a different perspective on Gunn’s casting choices, which have often sparked discussions among fans. While some have questioned why the same actors appear across several of his projects, Holland’s comments suggest the reason is much more personal than professional. For Gunn, building movies with people he enjoys working with creates a better environment during production.

His personal life has also inspired his work in other ways. One recent example is Krypto, Superman’s loyal dog. Gunn previously revealed that the character’s appearance and behavior were inspired by his own rescue dog, Ozu, showing that his real-life relationships often influence his creative decisions.

Holland is also continuing to work in Gunn’s DC Universe. She plays Emilia Harcourt, a role she first introduced in The Suicide Squad before returning in Peacemaker and other DC projects. Her character remains an important part of the growing franchise as Gunn continues building his new shared universe.

During a separate interview with GamesRadar+ at a screening of Supergirl, Holland also shared her excitement for Gunn’s next movie, Man of Tomorrow. Even though production is still underway, she said she has already seen a large portion of the film and believes it could become her favorite project he has directed.

“I can tell you that I have seen an enormous, enormous portion of the movie, and I am so excited for Man of Tomorrow,” Holland said. “It is different…I don’t wanna say this. Ugh. It might be James’s best… my favorite movie of James, and I haven’t even seen the whole thing yet. I love the movie. I’m really excited about it. It feels like a step up to me in a lot of ways. I’m excited for people to see it, and he’s not done filming it yet.”

According to the information shared by GamesRadar+, Man of Tomorrow is currently in production and is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027. The film stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Milly Alcock, and several other actors as Gunn continues expanding the new DC Universe.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!