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DCU Chapter One: 6 DC films we need to see from James Gunn

By Michael Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Superman costume from the 2013 Man of Steel film worn by Henry Cavill and designed by Michael Wilkinson and James Acheson is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Superman costume from the 2013 Man of Steel film worn by Henry Cavill and designed by Michael Wilkinson and James Acheson is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) /
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J'onn J'onzz, Martian Manhunter, DCU, DCEU
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Harry Lennix attends the premiere screening of Harry Lennix’s H4, a re-imagined telling of Shakespeare’s Henry IV parts 1 and 2 on February 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for H4) /

Martian Manhunter sets up Justice League

The final film before an eventual Justice League team-up in Chapter One of Safran and Gunn’s DCU should be Martian Manhunter. The hero from Mars could set up the looming big bad, the Anti-Monitor, which would then lead to the first Justice League film of this new DCU. However, the film shouldn’t focus on setting up another film. It should continue the theme of character-driven stories.

One of the best character-driven stories about Martian Manhunter is the American Alien storyline, written by Max Landis and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. This story arc, which was first published in 2016, is a character-driven story that explores the identity, emotions, and internal struggles of J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter.

In American Alien, we see J’onn J’onzz struggling to find his place in the world and dealing with the emotional trauma of being the last survivor of his race. The story arc also looks at his attempts to fit in with human society and his internal conflicts as he tries to come to terms with his alien identity. It also explores his relationships with other heroes and his struggles to connect with them emotionally.

This storyline is a great character-driven story that would work well in a live-action adaptation because it provides a great opportunity to explore the character of Martian Manhunter, his identity struggles, and his emotional journey. It also deals with universal themes of belonging, identity, and loss that would be relatable to audiences, making it perfect for a live-action adaptation.

The actor playing this role would be forced to showcase their range and ability to convey a deep and complex character. Harry Lennix is the current Martian Manhunter, and he would be great at conveying all of J’onn’s emotions. So would Sterling K. Brown, Lance Reddick, and David Oyelowo — to name a few.

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