Rick and Morty executive producer Scott Marder recently revealed how DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn and director Zack Snyder guest-featured as exaggerated versions of themselves in Season 8, Episode 7, “Ricker Than Fiction,” which aired on July 6, 2025. In a new interview, he discussed their cameos and the episode’s satire of fan culture and filmmaking. He also touched on their differing takes on Superman.

Scott Marder says Zack Snyder and James Gunn were ‘good sports’ for Rick and Morty

Executive producer Scott Marder revealed to Variety that both filmmakers were enthusiastic participants.

“They were good sports,” Marder said. “They laughed at anything we threw at them… All they did was laugh it off.” The episode casts Gunn’s character as the villain and the director/producer of the fictional franchise “Maximum Velocitree,” prompting Rick and Morty to intervene using Rick’s “Movie-lizer” device.

In a scene set at the Warner Bros. lot, Gunn encounters a muscular Snyder. Snyder quips, “Just saw your new cut of ‘Superman,’ and word of advice, he’s the ‘Man of Steel,’ not the ‘Man of Conversation.’” Snyder then reassures Gunn about Rick, calling him “just the smartest man in the universe,” and adds, “Don’t sweat it. He can’t do what we do. Probably.”

Rick and Morty rework the movie, becoming its villains and impressing Gunn with their rewrite. Gunn praises them, saying, “They out-done the Gunn!” He later delivers the altered version to Warner Bros., claiming, “This won’t just put butts in seats… it could save Hollywood, it could change everything,” before being shot by a gun named “Sundae.”

Marder explained the idea evolved from a “Book-alizer” into the “Movie-lizer,” allowing them to parody Hollywood. Writer Rob Schrab approached Gunn, who quickly joined and reportedly recorded his lines the morning after finishing Superman. Snyder also expressed strong enthusiasm.

Dan Harmon wrote the “Superman” dialogue and helped shape the cameo. Marder said, “He cracked his knuckles” to make sure it matched their stature. A behind-the-scenes photo of Snyder and Gunn recording together went viral, but their cameos remained secret until the episode aired.

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.