James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe has an initial plan. How can this new first chapter connect the DCU to itself and launch a new shared universe as well? Let’s discuss.
The wait is finally over for DC Universe fans. James Gunn and Peter Safran’s long-awaited announcement sent shockwaves through social media. The duo announced their slate of movies, TV shows, and animation for the first chapter in their interconnected DCU.
Gunn announced that Chapter one would be titled Gods and Monsters, with a slate that shocked fans, like two Batman films, a Supergirl film, an Amanda Waller spin-off, and the introduction of a group of heroes no one expected to make a live-action debut, The Authority.
DC Universe movies and TV shows in DC Universe Gods and Monsters
- Superman: Legacy
- Booster Gold (TV series)
- Swamp Thing
- The Authority
- Lanterns (TV series)
- The Brave and the Bold
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
- Creature Commandos (Animated series)
- Waller (Peacemaker spin-off)
- Paradise Lost (TV series)
Gunn also announced that while the DCU is one universe spanned across all visual media, there’s another universe, Elseworlds. Having a main universe and Elseworlds DC Universe isn’t a bad idea. It allows for universes like Matt Reeves’ The Batman, Todd Phillips’ Joker, and The CW’s Superman and Lois to exist without the “constraints” of forcing his story to fit inside a larger established universe. However, given the list of movies within the DCU itself, fans are left trying to figure out how it all connects. Well, there is a way, and it starts with the face of Gunn’s DCU.
Superman: Legacy kicks off the DCU
No, Henry Cavill won’t wear the cape, but a Superman franchise that promises to deliver more than one film has fans excited. Like Iron Man was to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we can expect Superman to be the catalyst of the DCU. We know Superman: Legacy won’t be an origin story, and several comics will play a role in influencing Supes, perhaps even All-Star Superman. However, there are two comic books that stand out among the crowd when thinking of potential stories to adapt: The Man of Steel and Superman Birthright.
The Man of Steel, written by John Byrne, brings an action-packed approach to the story of Superman. It introduces us to the villain Brainiac, a technological terror from Krypton who collects cities from across the universe. Brainiac is not just any ordinary villain, but an intellectually superior enemy who challenges Superman in ways he has never been challenged before. With his vast knowledge of Krypton, Brainiac forces Superman to delve deeper into his heritage and legacy.
Superman Birthright, written by Mark Waid, takes a more grounded approach to the story of Clark Kent. It showcases Clark as a reporter, struggling to find his place in a world that doesn’t value kindness. Through his work as a reporter, Clark must come to terms with his powers and the responsibility that comes with them. He learns to embrace his heritage and becomes the symbol of hope that the world needs.
These two arcs create the perfect blend of action, drama, and character development. If the film adapts this story, it would show us the early days of Superman as he faces the challenge posed by Brainiac as a lurking threat, while also exploring the man behind the glasses, Clark Kent.
But if that was the case, who could be the main antagonist for Legacy? None other than Lex Luthor. Fans deserve a redo after what Batman v Superman did to arguably the greatest comic book villain of all time. What better way than have Lex, the genius entrepreneur as a pawn in Brainiac’s game?
It would be awesome to see Brainiac as a looming threat as Superman: Legacy kicks of the future of the DCU and perhaps seamlessly leads into a Supergirl movie. Whoever plays the role will likely be in his late 20s, given the DCU will have a well established Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Flash. He’ll have to be young enough to play this character for a while, but old enough to make sense for the Batman we’ll have in the DCU.
Supergirl expands the DCU and introduces Brainiac as the big bad
With Superman kicking the DCU, James Gunn and Peter Safran could use the Man of Tomorrow’s story to also set up his Kryptonian cousin’s arrival in Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow.
Slated to debut after Superman: Legacy, Woman of Tomorrow may actually be based on a DC comic that explores the journey of Kara Zor-El, as she finds her place in a new world while grappling with the weight of her Kryptonian heritage. Sound familiar? There is a difference though. In Woman of Tomorrow, we’ll Kara fighting some intergalactic big bads.
The story of the comic revolves around Supergirl being approached by an alien girl whose home planet has been destroyed. This stranger is out for revenge and forces Supergirl to help her, or she’ll take matters into her own hands. This sets the stage for an action-packed journey, filled with twists and turns, as Supergirl struggles to balance her sense of duty and the need to protect the innocent.
One of the key elements of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow that would make it an excellent film is the character development. The series delves into the struggles of being a hero, and the moral dilemma that Supergirl faces. It shows the character’s growth and evolution, as she learns to embrace her powers and the responsibilities that come with them.
Along the way, Supergirl is introduced to the political struggles and power dynamics between different alien races and factions. These elements add depth to the story and create a larger, more complex universe for the characters to exist in.
How Supergirl connects to the DCU
By the end of the movie, Supergirl could set up a ton of Easter Eggs from the Lanterns, the Martians, Lobo, and of course Brainiac. More importantly we’ll likely get a cameo from the DCU’s version of Superman early on once again keeping a direct link between the films. As a matter of fact, Gunn and Safran could retcon the alien girl as a character from the Wildstorm comics establishing another connection to another film on this list, someone from Wildstorm (more on that later).
We don’t yet know if Sasha Calle will reprise her role as Supergirl yet. She may be a similar age to the actor that will ultimately be cast as Superman, so perhaps DC Studios would cast someone in her late teens or early 20s to establish a mentor mentee relationship between Clark and Kara.
The Authority is a Wildstorm wildcard
Things are going to get a little bit crazy with the DCU thanks to Gunn and Safran’s desire to introduce Wildstorm characters. One the main focuses is The Authority, who will star in their own movie. Yes, the beloved WildStorm comic book series, is officially getting the big screen treatment as a mainstay in the DCU. These heroes differ from the Justice League in that they will do whatever it takes when it comes to justice.
“This is a big movie,” says James Gunn, who is no stranger to big, complex superhero stories, having directed Guardians of the Galaxy. He goes on to say:
"“The Authority is a very different kind of superhero story. They have good intentions, but they believe that the world is completely broken and the only way to fix it is to take things into their own hands, whether that means killing people, destroying heads of state, changing governments, you know, whatever they want to do to make the world better, and we’ll see how that journey goes for them.”"
For those who are unfamiliar with The Authority, the series revolves around a team of superheroes who believe that the world is broken and that the only way to fix it is to take things into their own hands, regardless of the consequences. These characters are morally gray, making them a refreshing change of pace from the typical superheroes that we’re used to seeing in the majority of comic book movies.
Other Wildstorm characters
Based on what we know, we could see these characters scattered across the DCU and possibly clashing with the Justice League at some point. Peter Safran expressed that they want to move Wldstorm characters into the DCU. So could we see more of them appear outside of The Authority, perhaps in their own movies and TV shows?
For example, Wildstorm villain Kaizen Gamorra could be the antagonist for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. In the comics, Kaizen is vast wealth and resources to manipulate world events and gain power for his involvement in various illegal activities, such as arms dealing human trafficking, and genetic engineering. Flip this character to an intergalactic big bad with all the same characteristics, and you have the blend Gunn and Safran want.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
There was little doubt that Gunn and Safran would make a Batman film in their DC Universe. For those who wanted Batman to exist in a universe of his own, they will have Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which is part of the Elseworlds brand. Those of us who wanted Batman as part of the main DC Universe will have this version of the Dark Knight, and he will appear in The Brave and the Bold.
The Brave and the Bold is a film that promises a version of Batman deep into his career as a crimefighter. The film is said to feature Damien Wayne, the fifth Robin. Given the youth movement of Gunn and Safran’s DCU, some fans may be scratching their heads over the idea of having an older Batman. There’s an outside chance that Michael Keaton could reprise his role, but he doesn’t make sense given that version of the character would be outside of his regular career as the Dark Knight. However, there is a way to make Batman “older,” while connecting to the bigger picture in a cohesive manner.
Whoever plays Superman will likely be in his early-mid 20s, portraying a younger version for the first movie. By the time Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comes out, Superman would be a little older, probably matching the age of whoever is playing the actor (mid-20s). Fast forward to The Brave and the Bold, where the Superman actor will be in his late 20s with a Batman that’s probably in his very early 30s. By the time we get a Superman/Batman crossover (if we get one), or a Justice League film, the two heroes would probably be around the same age.
How the DCU TV shows connect to the universe
As with every move, the DCU’s TV shows will play a role in the universe. So far, Gunn and Safran plan to put the critically acclaimed Peacemaker on temporary hold to focus on Amanda Waller, which is long overdue if you ask this writer. Waller automatically connects all Suicide Squad members, those who haven’t made their big screen debut, and the characters we’ve seen in David Ayer’s and Gunn’s films. She’ll likely act as a darker, more sinister Nick Fury. With Viola Davis playing the role, the more we see her, the better.
We’ll also get the long-awaited live-action Green Lantern, this time in a True Detective-inspired series. It’s easy to see Hal Jordan as the cocky veteran Green Lantern team, with the younger, brash militaristic John Stewart in an intergalactic crime drama. These two, in addition to what we expect from Supergirl, connect the DCU from an intergalactic perspective. They could easily foreshadow or drop an Easter Egg for Martian Manhunter, The New Gods, Anti Monitor (who could be a looming threat) and many more.
Booster Gold is another show that could take the DCU to another level. He’s a time-traveling superhero wannabe. His inclusion piggybacks off what The Flash will establish with the possibility of time travel. Who knows what ramifications will happen once he travels through time?
Then we have Paradise Lost, which is a Game of Thrones-esque political drama that predates the birth of Diana, a.k.a. Wonder Woman. The connection doesn’t need to be explained.
While things may seem a little confusing at first glance, when broken down, it’s easy to see what the DCU duo will do with their films and shows in Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
Are you looking forward to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe? Let us know in the comments below!