James Gunn Drops New DCU Bombshells: Batman, Superman, and the Bigger Picture
James Gunn isn’t holding back when it comes to teasing the direction of the DCU. From Batman casting buzz to Superman’s looming challenges, he’s laying down the foundation of what fans can expect. Let’s break down the biggest updates.
Big Names Eyeing the Cape and Cowl
James Gunn revealed that he’s already fielding interest from some massive actors about playing Batman in the DCU. (ign.com)
“Plenty of things are in flux on what his situation is with his parentage and all that stuff, so I wouldn't take any of it”
And when pressed on whether Damian Wayne is still part of The Brave and the Bold, Gunn kept things tight-lipped. (ign.com)
“I think you have to wait to see exactly what's happening.”
He also fired back at the idea that casual fans wouldn’t understand two Batmen existing at once—the DCU’s and Matt Reeves’ The Batman saga.
“One of the weirdest things for me is that big fans are often like ‘well listen, I understand this but normies will never understand this, casuals will never understand this.’ But the truth is guys, you’re the ones that don’t understand. The casuals always understand.”
Focusing on the Icons
Gunn confirmed that the DCU slate will lean more toward established characters instead of digging into obscurities.
“I’m probably not going to do certain movies with characters who [audiences] don’t know; it’s harder to get people in the theater for that kind of thing”
That doesn’t mean surprises are off the table, but it does mean Batman, Superman, and other heavyweights will be the centerpiece of DCU storytelling.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow Connections
When asked about Man of Tomorrow, Gunn revealed the film’s conflicts will ripple through the DCU.
“What Lex and Rick Flag are up to affects very much what happens in an aspect of Man of Tomorrow. So all of that is connected. But this relationship between Rick Flag and Lex Luthor is a potentially negative thing for Superman and meta-humans”
He even teased the return of María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer, first introduced in Superman (2025).
“Where does she go? Well, you’re going to find that out in the next movie.”
Setting the Record Straight on Enchantress
Gunn made it clear that this isn’t the DCEU anymore. His version of the Enchantress has nothing to do with David Ayer’s take in Suicide Squad.
“Our June Moone [mentioned in Peacemaker S2] still has powers, and Rick Flag betrays her; it's not a great love story like in David's [Ayer] movie”
The Takeaway
James Gunn is carefully crafting the DCU into something more unified, more character-driven, and most importantly more connected.
With Batman casting heating up, Man of Tomorrow coming in 2027 and tying threads together, with fan favorites like the Engineer returning soon, it’s safe to say the new DCU is shaping up to be bold, deliberate, and anything but predictable.
