For anyone who may be confused about the future of DC Universe projects, James Gunn fully understands the challenge of staying on top of the latest developments.
Gunn, who became co-head of DC Studios with Peter Safran last year, took to Threads on Wednesday to answer fan questions about the development of the new DC slate now that the writers’ strike has ended. This included responding to a question from months ago about whether actors from previous DC projects will reprise their roles, in addition to whether the new universe will begin with Superman: Legacy, with Gunn directing David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. But first there’s the animated series Creature commands.
“Nothing is canon until Creature commands next year – a kind of appetizer for the DCU – and then a deeper dive into the universe Superman: Legacy afterwards,” Gunn replied. “It’s a very human urge to always want to understand everything, but I think it’s okay to be confused about what’s happening in the DCU since no one has seen anything from the DCU yet.”
He continued“And yes, some actors will play characters they’ve played in other stories, and some plot points may be consistent with plot points from the dozens of movies, shows, and animated projects to come out of DC in the past. But nothing is canon until CC and Legacy.”
Creature commands is the first piece of Gunn and Safran’s previously announced Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters saga of their DCU. Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller in the animated Max series launching in 2024 and also starring voice actors Frank Grillo, Maria Bakalova and David Harbour. She will also star in the live-action Max series Wallerone of the titles planned for this first chapter.
In response to a fan who asked how Blue Beetlethe Warner Bros. film that debuted in theaters last month starring Xolo Maridueña would play a role in the new plans, Gunn replied“Xolo Maridueña will continue to play Blue Beetle in the DCU, while Viola Davis will be Amanda Waller, and John Cena will be Peacemaker.”
This confirms hints Gunn has previously dropped about the fates of DC characters already introduced to moviegoers. On an Instagram after last month, Gunn wrote that Maridueña’s superhero, Jaime Reyes, “will be an awesome part of the DCU going forward!” The director also said this during a June episode of the Inside you podcast he planned to focus on the second season of Cena’s Max series Peacemaker work on it Superman: Legacy had been completed.
Gunn’s comments follow a tricky trajectory for DC films Shazam! Anger of the gods, The flash And Blue Beetle all have underperformed at the box office this year. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters on December 20 as the final film from the studio’s previous regime.
