Fantastic Fest 2025: Sean Gunn Talks Appofeniacs, Cosplay Experiences, Maxwell Lord’s DCU Future, & Belko Experiment
In the past year, the progression of artificial intelligence has been as interesting as it is terrifying, but what happens if a malicious actor got their hands on it? Appofeniacs hopes to answer this question with its ensemble-focused narrative, wild character situations, and very gory sequences. However, at its core, this film’s take on AI and deepfake technology will certainly stick with audiences.
Appofeniacs also stars Sean Gunn, best known for portraying Maxwell Lord (beginning with James Gunn’s Superman) and Kraglin from Guardians of the Galaxy films. His character, Clinto, revels in the world of heroes himself with his own cosplay business. In the grand scheme of the film’s story, however, Gunn takes on a more cautious role with this character. I got to speak with Sean Gunn all about the film and much more!
When speaking about how Appofeniacs’s view of AI use resonated with him, Gunn mentioned the fact that people misusing this technology terrified him. “I think that it’s like great horror films really take from real life, right?” Gunn said. “The idea of deepfake technology messing with people and really throwing a monkey wrench into how we perceive reality is terrifying.”
“I think what drew me to the script,” Gunn continued. “When I first read [Chris Marrs Piliero]’s script, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is really interesting. This is an example of how this can go south really quickly.” Gunn also reflected on how the film’s dive into the expansion of artificial intelligence speaks to recent changes in the entertainment industry. This was especially so given the 2023 actors and writers’ strikes.
“In my industry as a performer and as an actor, it’s incredibly important that we have ownership over our own likenesses in every way that we possibly can,” Gunn stated. “I think that just the idea that you should be able to take anyone’s face and manipulate it to do whatever you want, it’s obviously something that hopefully we can agree can be used for really dangerous, really dangerous things.”
Gunn also went more in-depth into who Clinto is in the larger game Appofeniacs plays. Considering how Clinto is a more cautious character unlike Gunn’s previous roles, Gunn describes how he made the character his own. “[Chris and I] played with the character a little bit and ended up reigning him in just a bit,” Gunn said. “I think when we first started working on him, he was a little more flamboyant.”
“I think that the idea that he is actually a loving husband and just trying to make a living just like anyone else and do his best is what makes him an interesting character and makes him unlike characters I’ve played a lot in the past because he’s not over the top,” Gunn described.
Clinto’s business in the film is purely for cosplayers, with some inspired pieces to go along with them. As being a part of several projects in both Marvel and DC, Gunn reflected on the fan convention experience and seeing cosplayers dressed up as characters Gunn has previously portrayed.
“I’ve done well over 100 conventions now in my career,” Gunn recalled. “I started doing them about 10 years ago, which is another way that I really kind of relate to the character. I’ve seen plenty of people cosplay as me. “I’ve seen tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of cosplay outfits. I will admit I have never considered cosplaying myself, like, I put on costumes at work. But when I go to conventions, I think one of the simple pleasures is appearing as myself,” Gunn added.
“I will say that the idea of being in disguise is pretty enticing,” Gunn joked. “The ability to walk around a convention floor and not have anyone know who I am is that that’s a pretty sweet deal right there. I’ve done it before once or twice in a mask, but no, I let the cosplayers do the full cosplay!”
Considering the gory sequences of Appofeniacs, there are specific scenes that feel reminiscent of another previous movie involving Gunn: The Belko Experiment. Both films are horrifically fun in their own right as they’re both playing on intense social circumstances. Portraying both characters in both films, Gunn reflected on filming both of those intense climaxes.
“For Belko Experiment, at the end of that movie, there is just so much blood everywhere in that building,” Gunn began. “We’re just you’re just tracking blood, taking clothes off and just wringing them out with so much blood everywhere.”
“That part was a little more intense in Belko. [In] Appofeniacs, I sat strapped in that chair for a good, long, good while,” Gunn recalled. “That’s the thing that makes Appofeniacs more intense, really, is having to sit there and watch all that.”
“In Belko, when it starts to go down, Marty turns around, runs, and it’s not until it comes and finds him that he really has to deal with it,” Gunn explained. “Whereas Clint is sitting right there and watching it all go down and that was pretty hardcore.”
On the heroic side of things, Gunn’s take on the strategically bold Maxwell Lord stuck with fans given his time on Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. Although, with the recent announcement of Man of Tomorrow, the next sequel involving a potential Superman-Lex Luthor team-up, fans are wondering what it could be about.
When asked about whether Maxwell Lord will appear in Man of Tomorrow, Gunn had a firm response. “I am not at liberty to comment on any specific future projects, but I can assure you that we will see Maxwell Lord again,” Gunn hinted. “I think you’re going to have to keep watching to find out,” Gunn added. “As of right now, I wouldn’t play too much more into it. I think that, so far, Maxwell’s trying to get the Justice Gang off its feet rolling and we’ll see where it goes from there!”
Appofeniacs premiered at Fantastic Fest 2025 on September 20.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.