Summary
- James Gunn clarifies that the DC Universe canon does not begin until the Creature Commandos next year, and “nothing is canon” until then.
- Some actors will reprise their roles from previous stories, and certain plot points could potentially be consistent with past DC films, shows, and animated projects.
- It’s not clear if any unannounced DCEU actors will still join those continuing into the new DCU.
With confusion still surrounding the new DC Universe for some, James Gunn has offered a few new updates on what is and isn’t DCEU canon. For the last ten years, the DCEU has had an inconsistent ride, which is why 2023 will mark the end of the franchise after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. With the launch of DC Studios under Gunn and Peter Safran, the two CEOs are looking to start over with the DC Universe, which begins with Chapter 1, “Gods and Monsters.”
While there are several DC Universe movies and TV shows on their way, there has been some confusion as to what will actually carry over from the DCEU and what projects will remain canon to the new continuity. Taking it to Threads, Gunn responded to flip_the_usb_twice when they expressed that they were still confused about the DC Universe, despite the filmmaker having stated that the DC Universe begins with Superman: Legacy.
Gunn expressed that “nothing is canon until Creature Commandos next year,” which he is labeling as an “aperitif” to the DC Universe. The franchise will then take “a deeper dive” with Superman: Legacy, marking the first proper DC Studios movie. At the same time, Gunn felt “it’s okay to be confused on what’s happening” in the DC Universe due to the fact that “no one has seen anything” from the upcoming continuity.
In a follow-up response, Gunn also added that “some actors will be playing characters they’ve played in other stories” and that “some plot points” could potentially be “consistent from the dozens of films, shows & animated projects that have come from DC in the past.” With that said, Gunn stressed that as far as DC Universe canon goes, it doesn’t start until the Creature Commandos TV show and Superman: Legacy.
When asked by JakeAtron57, who wanted to know “how does the Blue Beetle factor in at this point in time,” Gunn brought up once again that Xolo Maridueña will reprise the role of Jaime Reyes alongside Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller and John Cena’s Peacemaker.
Despite Gunn’s latest DC Universe clarifications, it still doesn’t fully explain what it all means for the canonicity of 2023’s DC movies. In the case of The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, those films are fully DCEU-based, as Ezra Miller’s movie became a financial disappointment while Jason Momoa is rumored to play a new character in Gunn’s DC Universe, suggesting that his Aquaman franchise will be done after December. Unless Momoa goes on to play Aquaman in the new DC Universe, this is where they may factor in the multiverse to some degree.
Even if Momoa were to still portray Aquaman, his DC Universe doppelganger could easily have similar aspects as his DCEU counterpart while also giving Gunn free hands to reshape his arc. Blue Beetle is the only movie that can be fully set in the DC Universe, as the film had no direct visual references to the old DCEU despite name-dropping Superman and Batman. Because they were only mentioned verbally, they can easily be David Corenswet and whoever gets cast as the Dark Knight without having to do any retroactive changes.
Given the Hollywood strikes this summer, it is still great that Gunn has been able to give some updates about his new DC Universe. Once 2024 comes around, that will likely be when things get even clearer about the DC Universe, with the world waiting patiently to see what becomes of it. With the Writers Guild of America strike over, once the SAG-AFTRA strike comes to an end, too, it will hopefully allow the DC Universe to resume development on all of its upcoming projects.
Source: James Gunn (1,2,3)/Threads