James Gunn Finally Explains the Superman DCU Plot Hole Fans Couldn't Ignore

If you’ve been scratching your head over how James Gunn’s 'Superman' squares with some stuff that happened in the older DC movies, you’re not alone. Welcome to the brave new hybrid world of the DC Universe—a place where reboots are kind of like hitting the reset button but keeping some files open anyway. And yes, there’s been a particular plot quirk that’s been driving fans a little nuts.

So, What Exactly Is the Problem?

Let’s set the scene: Gunn has been cleaning house in the DCEU—wiping out some old versions of characters (sorry, previous Supermans and Wonder Womans), but also dragging certain crowd-pleasers like John Cena’s Peacemaker right along into the new DCU, nearly unchanged.

This decision led to one awkward continuity hiccup: In 'The Suicide Squad,' Bloodsport (Idris Elba’s character) shot Superman with a kryptonite bullet. We’re told Supes landed in the ICU. That story point didn’t get the memo when the universe got its “soft reboot.”

Then, cut to the new 'Superman' movie: It kicks off by saying Clark Kent just suffered his first loss. Wait—wasn’t he already plastered to a hospital bed thanks to Bloodsport in the DCEU? Diehard fans have been going back and forth on this one.

James Gunn Says… Calm Down, It’s Not the Same Thing

Gunn finally jumped in to clear things up (and if you know him, you know he doesn’t exactly mince words). Here’s how he broke it down in a blunt post on Threads:

'A lot of people are saying this. But is being shot by someone at long distance while you’re not looking “losing a fight”? I don’t see Abraham Lincoln having “lost a fight” with John Wilkes Booth.'

So, Gunn’s stance is: getting sniped when your guard is down is not the same as stepping in the ring and getting your butt kicked in a brawl.

Why Is Peacemaker Still Hanging Around?

Even if you buy Gunn’s logic, you might wonder why we’re juggling characters from two different eras at all. Basically, it came down to contracts—that classic Hollywood headache. Here’s Gunn explaining his position in a way that’s pretty hard to argue with:

'Peacemaker Season 2 deals were all in place when I became head of DC. It was either break everyone’s contracts and pay out all that money and take away HBO Max’s biggest show at the time or find a way to make it work. I chose the latter.'

Translation: Peacemaker was a hit. The deals were signed. Sledgehammering a clean reboot would have blown up the most successful DC streaming series. So, they bent the rules a little. Like it or not, streaming numbers and contracts occasionally win the day over continuity.

What’s Next? The Soft Reboot Shuffle

• Certain DCEU elements—mainly Peacemaker and related storylines—are sticking around for now.
• Lots of DCEU stuff (like previous runs on Superman and Wonder Woman) is already gone.
• Once new actors roll out as Supergirl, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and (eventually) Batman, expect the old universe remnants to fade out or get swept under the rug by Gunn’s new decade-spanning DCU plan.

So if you’re waiting for the day when a DCU show needs a PhD in DC history to follow all the threads—hang tight. The overlapping timelines may get a little murky for a bit, but Gunn seems pretty determined to eventually land on one clear narrative.

If you want to see how this all plays out, 'Superman' is streaming on HBO Max. And no, there will not be a quiz on Bloodsport’s medical records.