Summary
- James Gunn and Peter Safran are spearheading the rebooted DC Universe, but many details about the upcoming franchise are still unknown.
- Various theories suggest that the DCU may include major villains like Centre and Amanda Waller, as well as superhero teams such as Justice League International, Justice League Dark, and many versions of the Lanterns Corps.
- Possible DCU storylines include a Superman and Batman crossover, the formation of the Justice League Dark with Swamp Thing, and the death of Damian Wayne in The Brave and the Bold.
Almost a year after James Gunn’s official announcement of the new DC Universe, many convincing theories have suggested several potential storylines for the rebooted franchise. After a lengthy period of behind the scenes drama, controversies surrounding high-profile actors, and disappointing performances at the box office, Warner Bros. and DC Studios made moves to reboot the DC Extended Universe into a new franchise. Acclaimed filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran were hired as co-CEOs of DC Studios in November 2022, and the pair immediately set plans in motion to kick off the new DC Universe, though questions have still gone unanswered concerning what the upcoming franchise will actually look like.
Gunn officially announced a new slate of projects on January 31, 2023. These ten upcoming films and TV shows, including the likes of Superman: Legacy, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Booster Gold, and Paradise Lost, among others, are expected to form part of the DC Universe’s Chapter 1, titled “Gods and Monsters”. Since only a portion of Chapter 1’s projects have currently been revealed, not much is known about the overarching storyline of the new shared universe, though many have speculated about potential crossovers, DC Comics story adaptations, and highly-anticipated character introductions that could shape the DCU into a much stronger entity than its DCEU predecessor.
10 Centre Is The DCU’s First Major Villain
Centre Is A Sentient Island In DC Comics
The Centre, also known as “Dinosaur Island”, is a primordial entity that posed a threat to the Justice League of America during DC Comics’ 2004 story, DC: The New Frontier. A theory posed by Reddit user North_Woodpecker_560 suggests that the DCU’s Lanterns series may set up Centre as a major villain, based on the fact that Gunn had shared a photo of The New Frontier. Several projects prior to Lanterns could set up the Centre’s villainous motivations, as it becomes disillusioned with how humans treat each other. The Centre was eventually defeated by Green Lantern Hal Jordan, so Lanterns could be the perfect place to introduce this powerful DC villain.
9 The Justice League International Will Replace The Justice Society
Several Justice League International Heroes Have Been Confirmed For The DCU
In DC Comics, the Justice League International succeeded the Justice League of America from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, forming a new team while several Justice League members were unavailable. A theory posed by Reddit user Purple_Swordfish_182 suggests the Justice League International could replace the Justice Society in the DCU, especially since several heroes in the team’s roster have already been confirmed. Bruce Wayne’s Batman, Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle, Michael Jon Carter’s Booster Gold, and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern all operate in the Justice League International, and with Nathan Fillion set to portray the latter in Superman: Legacy, this is a great opportunity to introduce this new team.
Superman: Legacy will feature David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, while also introducing Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
8 Amanda Waller Will Be A DC Universe Villain
Viola Davis Will Continue To Play Amanda Waller In The DCU
Viola Davis has been confirmed to be reprising her role of Amanda Waller in the new DC Universe, having portrayed the character since 2016’s Suicide Squad. However, while Waller has been shown to be something of an ally to the DCEU’s heroes, a theory posed on Reddit suggests that the DCU’s version of Waller will in fact be a villain. Amanda Waller would make a great small-scale villain for a new iteration of the Justice League, particularly if she brings together the Injustice League in the DCU, a team more regularly associated with DC Comics villain Lex Luthor. Davis is set to return in the self-titled Waller series in 2024.
7 Superman Is Inspired By The Authority To Form The Justice League
Members Of The Authority Are Expected To Debut In Superman: Legacy
One of the biggest surprises in Gunn’s official DCU announcement was the inclusion of the Authority, a team that was published under the Wildstorm imprint from 1999 onwards. The Authority have never been adapted for live-action before, likely due to their questionable morals and methods. One theory suggests that the DCU’s Superman could butt heads with the Authority, with the Man of Steel opposing the team’s impaired moral code, and this could have huge implications. A spar with the Authority could convince Superman to bring together a team of formidable heroes with strong moral values: the Justice League of America, which hasn’t yet been confirmed for the DCU.
In DC Comics, the original Authority team comprised Jenny Sparks, “The Spirit of the Twentieth Century”, Apollo, “The Sun God”, Lucas Trent, a.k.a. Midnighter, “Night’s Bringer of War”, Jeroen Thornedike, a.k.a. the Doctor, “The Shaman”, Angela Spica, a.k.a. the second Engineer, “The Maker”, Jack Hawksmoor, “The God of Cities”, and Shen Li-Min, a.k.a. Swift, “The Winged Huntress”.
6 Lanterns Will Explore All The Lantern Corps
There Are 11 Lantern Corps In DC Comics
In most previous DC Comics adaptations, only the Green Lanterns have been explored, yet there are ten other colors that have seldom been seen. Each represents a different emotion of the Emotional Spectrum, and while the Green Lanterns protect the universe, many of the others don’t have such good intentions. Following Gunn’s announcement, many picked up on the fact that the Green Lantern-centric series is only named Lanterns, which may suggest that the other versions of the Lantern Corps will also be explored. Although Hal Jordan and John Stewart will be leading the True Detective-style series, the show may expand on the Lantern Corps more than any previous project.
Eleven groups comprise DC Comics’ Lantern Corps: Green harnesses willpower, Red channels rage, Orange represents avarice, Blue charges hope, Indigo harnesses compassion, Star Sapphire channels love, Sinestro is ruled by fear, Black oversees death, White is life, Ultraviolet represents heart, and Grey resides over apathy.
5 World’s Finest Adaptation Will Unite Superman & Batman
Superman & Batman Will Eventually Crossover In The DCU
Both Superman and Batman have been confirmed for the new DC Universe, with David Corenswet being cast as the former, and casting for the Caped Crusader still hasn’t been revealed. While Superman and Batman haven’t been confirmed to be joining forces in the DCU, it’s likely that this will happen at some point, though many want the pair to join forces as allies, rather than tentative adversaries as seen in the DCEU. One theory notes that an adaptation of DC Comics’ World’s Finest could unite Superman and Batman in various team-up missions, building their rapport and relationship into a strong bond, and potentially setting up a future Justice League-centric project.
4 Swamp Thing Forms The Justice League Dark
Justice League Dark Features Supernatural DC Characters
The DCU’s Swamp Thing is currently one of three feature films to have a director attached, as James Mangold joined the project in February 2023. Swamp Thing is an unusual character to bring to the DCU, particularly since the creature’s story will be inspired by horror. However, one theory notes that Swamp Thing may introduce the Justice League Dark, a supernatural superhero team from DC Comics who handle mystical threats and those beyond the understanding of the Justice League of America. Swamp Thing is a prominent member of this team, and Gunn previously teased the debut of Deadman, who is also included on the Justice League Dark’s roster.
3 Damian Wayne Will Die In The Brave & The Bold
The Brave & The Bold Will Feature Bruce Wayne’s Son
As well as introducing a new version of Bruce Wayne’s Batman to the DCU, The Brave and the Bold will also include Damian Wayne, Bruce’s son, in his live-action debut. In DC Comics, Damian Wayne is the fifth character to assume the Robin mantle, yet he loses his life in one of Batman’s most emotional storylines, which saw Batman eventually resurrect his son. An adaptation of this storyline in the DCU’s The Brave and the Bold would mark an epic introduction for the new Bruce and Damian Wayne, and perhaps help to set up the League of Assassins, and the threat of Darkseid in the new franchise.
Robin is an alias used by several superheroes in DC Comics, often seen as junior counterparts to Bruce Wayne’s Batman. The mantle has been held by Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne, with many of them going on to become superheroes of their own.
2 Lanterns Sets Up Blackest Night As A Major DCU Story
Blackest Night Could Resurrect Old DC Heroes
Currently, no crossover events have been confirmed for the DCU’s Chapter 1, which may be a blessing and a curse. This will allow heroes the time to develop solo before coming together, but theories have still emerged suggesting some ideas for DCU crossovers. One of these implies DC Comics’ Blackest Night event could be adapted, as this story featured many high-profile DC heroes, caught in the crossfire of a war between the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps, and the emergence of the Black Hand. The theory notes that Blackest Night could be set up in DCU’s Lanterns, and could give added weight to Chapter 1’s title of “Gods and Monsters”.
1 DCU’s New Wonder Woman Will Be An Antihero
Gal Gadot Will Not Be Returning As DCU’s Wonder Woman
An October 2023 report revealed that the DCEU’s Justice League cast will not be reprising their roles in the DCU, creating the opportunity for some major redesigns. With the apparent confirmation that Gal Gadot will not be reprising the role of Wonder Woman, it’s possible that Gunn and Safran could transform the Amazon warrior into an antihero. The DCU’s Paradise Lost series is set to explore Themyscira, taking inspiration from the likes of Game of Thrones, though not focus on Wonder Woman specifically, which may spell a darker turn for the character in the DC Universe, which could create an interesting new dynamic when introduced to the franchise’s other heroes.
Key Release Dates
