7 DC Characters Who Need to Be In James Gunn’s DCU

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James Gunn’s unique creative vision and passion for comics make him a great fit for DC. His early projects for the DC Universe have already shown a knack for highlighting lesser-known characters like the Creature Commandos, Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Metamorpho, and Mister Terrific from Superman. He seems particularly drawn to obscure and unusual DC heroes, and approaches them with confidence. This is exciting for DC Comics because it has a rich, extensive history filled with characters that many fans aren’t familiar with – but James Gunn has the potential to unearth some real gems for film and television.

Here is a look at seven characters we want to see added to James Gunn’s DCU in one form or another.

7) John Constantine

John Constantine is a well-known character in DC Comics, and has been portrayed several times. While his first movie appearance in 2005 alongside Keanu Reeves initially disappointed comic book fans, it’s gained more appreciation over time. Many consider Matt Smith’s portrayal, in his own TV series and appearances within the Arrowverse, to be the strongest yet. Now, fans are excited about the possibility of James Gunn bringing his vision to the character, either behind the scenes or directly involved in the creative process. While a ‘Justice League Dark’ team-up would be great, simply featuring Constantine within the magical side of the DC Universe could be a real success.

6) Mister Miracle

James Gunn has a knack for making strange and unusual characters work, and he could really shine with Mister Miracle. Mister Miracle, also known as Scott Free, comes from the DC Comics New Gods universe, but the most compelling stories weren’t about his alien origins. Instead, the character truly stood out when he and his wife, Big Barda, were living on Earth, and the comics focused on their relationship and adventures. He’s a unique character who could be a fantastic addition to the new DC Universe.

5) Etrigan the Demon

James Gunn has a chance to showcase his creativity with the character Etrigan the Demon. While Etrigan appeared in the DC Animated Universe alongside Constantine in Justice League Dark, it would be fantastic to see him in the new DC Universe. He’d be a great fit for the Creature Commandos, should they get another season, or could even reappear in a story with other magic-users. It’s fun to imagine how Gunn would handle Etrigan’s unique, rhyming way of speaking.

4) The Question

The Question is a character with a storytelling style that would likely appeal to James Gunn. He’s a deeply suspicious conspiracy theorist who trusts no one, believing everyone has secrets. What truly makes him a brilliant detective, though, is his inability to even trust his own perceptions. He’d be a strong addition to a darker series on HBO Max, similar in tone to ‘The Penguin,’ and would excel in a noir-style DC story, whether as a full series or a standalone project. This role could be filled by Renee Montoya, who has also taken on the mantle of The Question.

3) Deathstroke

As a huge DC fan, I always felt Deathstroke was a real letdown in the old DCEU. They had the perfect guy in Joe Manganiello, but he barely got any screen time – just a quick cameo in the Justice League post-credits where Lex Luthor was building a team. Still, Deathstroke is just too good of a character – whether as a full-on villain or a complex antihero – to ignore in James Gunn’s new DCU. I’d love to see him show up with the Teen Titans, alongside Nightwing, in a Batman story, or even get his own movie like they did with Clayface. Gunn needs to find a place for Slade Wilson!

2) Booster Gold

I really enjoyed seeing Guy Gardner join the Justice Gang, but honestly, they’re missing a key ingredient: Booster Gold. He just fits the vibe of this team perfectly. He’s exactly the kind of hero James Gunn seems to adore – a bit clueless, a little arrogant, and totally unaware he’s often the punchline. Gunn could absolutely nail that character, making him the DCU’s version of Peter Quill. Nobody writes that kind of oblivious hero better. I’ve heard there’s a potential pilot in the works, but it doesn’t seem to be actively moving forward just yet.

1) Nightwing

Nightwing has arguably been shortchanged more than any other DC character in the films. While Chris O’Donnell expressed frustration with his portrayal of Robin in the Batman movies of the 90s, and Christopher Nolan hinted at the character with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, those ideas never fully materialized. Though there’s talk of introducing Damian Wayne as Robin, fans are eager to see Dick Grayson take on the Nightwing persona, especially in a Bludhaven setting. Given James Gunn’s success adapting Tom King’s Supergirl story, his next project could perfectly capture King’s acclaimed Nightwing comic book run.

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2026-01-13 16:10