James Gunn Holds Nothing Back on the 1986 Howard the Duck Film
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has experienced a noticeable decline since “Avengers: Endgame” hit theaters in 2019. The excitement that once fueled the MCU has dissipated; many recent films haven’t resonated with audiences, and some even turned out to be significant box office disappointments. A prime example is “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” which, despite its struggles, somehow managed to squeak out a small profit. Even the films that have succeeded, like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” often feel more like nostalgic nods to the past rather than fresh starts for the franchise.
From 2008 to 2019, Marvel stood towering over the entertainment industry, with critics and enthusiasts diving deep into the reasons behind the studio’s remarkable rise. Among its recent triumphs is James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3.” This emotional farewell to beloved characters marked Gunn’s pivotal role in shaping the MCU, especially after the enormous success of the first “Guardians” film in 2014. He took lesser-known Marvel characters and transformed them into fan favorites, proving that there was no limit to Marvel’s potential back then.
In a delightful surprise during “Guardians,” Gunn gave audiences a cameo from Howard the Duck, voiced by Seth Green. This unexpected appearance drew cheers from the crowd, even though Howard’s last cinematic venture was a much-maligned 1986 film. Many consider Willard Huyck’s “Howard the Duck” to be one of the quintessential Hollywood flops. And it turns out, Gunn couldn’t be more critical of it.
In a 2017 conversation, Gunn expressed his disdain for the 1986 movie. As a lifelong fan of the Howard the Duck comics, the film’s portrayal of the character left him feeling let down. First introduced in comics in 1973, Howard was created by Steve Gerber as a satirical take on the heroic tropes of the time. He’s an anthropomorphic duck who finds himself stuck on Earth, navigating bizarre and often film noir-esque situations while delivering sharp, meta-commentary.
The decision to adapt Howard into a feature film in 1986 was a curious one, especially considering Universal Pictures and Lucasfilm backed the project. They invested in an elaborate animatronic suit and introduced a human love interest, Beverly, played by Lea Thompson. Upon its release, “Howard the Duck” faced scathing reviews and barely managed to break even, cementing its status as a running joke in cinematic history—a sentiment echoed by Gunn.
The filmmaker didn’t just dislike it; he felt deeply disappointed. Gunn recalled being an avid fan of Howard the Duck before the film arrived, making the departures from the source material sting even more. He lamented the choice to give Howard “Caucasian eyelids” instead of the more fitting feathers. This detail, to him, was particularly unsettling. In his own words, Gunn put it bluntly: “That movie sucks.” Yet, in a way, he seems to have redeemed the character through his cameo in “Guardians,” breathing new life into Howard the Duck’s legacy.
