Two DC Heavyweights Are Joining the DCU Sooner Than You Think
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn just teased on Threads that two fan-favorite DC villains are about to crash the DCU — and soon. Their arrival could shake up the franchise’s future in a big way.
DC's big-screen (and small-screen) future is still mostly guesswork, but James Gunn is quietly having some fun tossing out teasers. If you wanted confirmation of some heavyweight villains arriving soon in the new DC universe – well, Gunn's just dropped a typically cryptic nugget. If nothing else, it’s got DC fans combing through the tea leaves yet again. Here’s what’s going on.
James Gunn Can’t Resist a Good Tease
Over on Threads (Gunn’s favourite haunt these days for winding up the fanbase), a fan hit him with a laundry list of DC baddies: General Zod, Doomsday, Dr. Fate, Black Adam, Ultraman with the Crime Syndicate, and, naturally, Darkseid. It’s that classic internet gotcha: which of these nasties could show up soon? Gunn’s reply: 'Two of them in not too long...'
'Two of them in not too long...'
Not exactly a detailed roadmap, but you get the idea. Cue several thousand comments, conspiracy threads, and, of course, Twitter/X accounts screaming 'CONFIRMED!' at the top of their lungs.
Likely Candidates: Who's Actually on the Way?
- Darkseid – Practically a lock. DC Studios previously confirmed Darkseid is onboard for the upcoming animated Mister Miracle series (based on the Tom King and Mitch Gerads run; King himself let slip the casting).
- Ultraman – A credible shout. The most recent DCU Superman film introduced a Superman clone who ended up getting sucked into a black hole—classic comic book ambiguity—leaving the door open for an Ultraman return and potentially a full-on Crime Syndicate storyline.
- Black Adam – Honestly, not likely. The Dwayne Johnson vehicle didn’t exactly set the world alight, and with the new DC regime steering clear of the old continuity, don’t hold your breath.
- Doomsday – Feels overdone at this point. The character’s cropped up repeatedly over the past decade in various forms, so Gunn reviving him so soon would raise some eyebrows.
- General Zod – Also a stretch. Zod already had another go in The Flash on top of Man of Steel, so he’s not exactly a fresh face for the rebooted universe.
- Dr. Fate – Fun as he is, there’s no word or hint about him. It’s possible, but no reason to assume he’s landing right now.
Context: Where DC’s Headed Next
This isn’t Gunn’s first rodeo with playful, vague promises, but the point this time is clear enough: the DCU’s first major phase, officially called 'Gods and Monsters', is rolling out over the next few months, with 'Supergirl' due out 26 June as the next proper film. The ongoing continuity is Gunn’s preferred approach—a world where all the superheroes and villains are out there already, no need for endless origin stories every time.
HBO’s 'Lanterns' series is up next on 16 August, closely followed by 'Clayface' hitting cinemas in October. But if you’re the sort who tunes in purely for the heavyweights—especially the galaxy-threatening, reality-warping baddies—pay closer attention: we’ll be seeing at least two of these monstrous names sooner rather than later.