9 Superheroes Finally Coming to DCU That Zack Snyder’s DCEU Never Used

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In simpler terms, James Gunn is planning a fresh take on the DC Universe with nine brand-new live-action superheroes that weren’t part of Zack Snyder’s version of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

As a cinephile, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming cinematic adventure from DC: Chapter 1 – Gods and Monsters. This exhilarating chapter promises an ensemble cast, with David Corenswet stepping into the iconic role of Superman, and Nicholas Hoult bringing his unique flair to Lex Luthor.

Some esteemed actors from the DCEU will be reprising their roles in intriguing new ways, such as John Cena’s Peacemaker and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller. For those eager fans, there will be fresh faces among the pantheon of heroes, characters that were not part of the DC canon seen in previous iterations.

I can hardly wait to see how this new chapter unfolds, and I hope you’ll join me on this exciting journey through the world of DC!

Every DCU Character Who Didn’t Appear in Zack Snyder’s DCEU 

Guy Gardner

In the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), with the exception of concept art related to Zack Snyder’s Justice League and a solitary appearance by an ancient Green Lantern during the Battle for Earth against Darkseid, there have been no other members from the Green Lantern Corps featured.

In the upcoming DC Universe (DCU), James Gunn and Peter Safran are planning significant changes, as it’s been announced that Guy Gardner will make his DCU debut in the 2025 film “Superman”. The character will be brought to life by Nathan Fillion, a veteran actor known for his roles in “The Rookie” and “Firefly”.

In the world of DC Comics, Guy Gardner is frequently characterized as a Green Lantern with a significant attitude issue. Remarkably, this portrayal in the DC Universe isn’t much different from his comic book character, as Fillion himself put it (through Collider) that his character was “90% flawed and doesn’t care.

In the movie “Superman,” we find Guy Gardner teaming up with Hawkgirl and Mr. Terrific, who seem to have joined forces with the main character. This trio is commonly recognized within the storyline as the Justice Squad in the reboot by director James Gunn.

In the upcoming comic book “Lanterns,” the character will share the spotlight with Hal Jordan and John Stewart, two other Green Lanterns.

Hal Jordan

In the DC Universe, another Green Lantern poised to leave a mark is a popular character from the franchise – Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler.

In the upcoming television show called “Lanterns,” the character will first appear. This series highlights the alliance between DC superheroes Hal and John Stewart, who are investigating a murder on Earth. The show also emphasizes the Green Lantern Corps within the DC Universe, placing it in the limelight.

In the DC Universe, an experienced Green Lantern named Hal Jordan, approaching his retirement, takes on the role of training John Stewart, who is being prepared to step into his shoes when he departs.

Hawkgirl

In the animated Justice League series on Cartoon Network, Hawkgirl emerged as a significant figure; however, the DC hero was nowhere to be found in Zack Snyder’s cinematic universe of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

The upcoming DC Universe (DCU) is ready to make a difference, as it plans to debut Isabel Merced as its portrayal of the Thanagarian hero within the ‘Superman’ series.

The specific details regarding Hawkgirl’s participation in Superman and beyond remain unclear, however, it has been verified through promotional materials that she is a member of the group referred to as the Justice Squad, led by David Corenswet.

Because she’s well-known in Washington DC folklore, it’s likely that Hawkgirl will play a significant role in the main narrative of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.

Mr. Terrific

In the 2025 Superman movie, the cast of the Justice Gang will be completed by Edi Gathegi, portraying Mr. Terrific.

In contrast to his absence in Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe, Mr. Terrific had a substantial presence in The CW’s Arrowverse, with actor Echo Kellum depicting the character.

Before the debut of Superman, news about the DC Universe’s take on the character is creating quite a buzz following the release of the official trailer. The spotlight has fallen on Mr. Terrific due to his extraordinary powers showcased in the clip, where he defends himself from gunfire by activating a force field generated from his T-Spheres.

Signs are pointing that Mr. Terrific will play a crucial role in the DCU’s future.

Metamorpho

Instead of following the path set by Zack Snyder in the DCEU, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s version of the DC Universe plan to distinguish itself by populating a larger array of superpowered characters, or metahumans, within their franchise.

An approach could be to introduce a distinctive lead character such as Rex Mason, also known as the superhero Metamorpho, the Element Man, who’s making his appearance in Superman. This character is set to be played by Anthony Carrigan.

In DC Comics, Metamorpho can stretch and contort his body into a wide variety of forms. 

The Engineer

Among the diverse cast of characters in the DC Universe, we will soon meet Angela Spica, played by María Gabriela De Faría, who is also known as The Engineer. She stands out as one of the villains not named Lex Luthor within the Superman series.

In addition to being absent in the DCEU, The Engineer makes her live-action premiere in the movie “Superman.” This appearance signifies that the character will engage in a confrontation with the main character, Superman.

In the DC Comics universe, The Engineer possesses an extraordinary ability to manufacture weapons from her own physique, which are infused with sophisticated liquid technology. Notably, she is among the original members of The Authority.

Booster Gold

Following a hiatus from the DCEU and a brief cameo on Legends of Tomorrow within the Arrowverse, Booster Gold is expected to reappear in the DCU. Notably, this character will spearhead its own live-action television series (discover more about the upcoming shows of the DCU here).

Speculations abound that Kumail Nanjiani could potentially secure the role of Booster Gold, a DC superhero known for his time-travel abilities, as no official actor has been announced yet.

Starfire

Following her notable role in the TV series Titans, played by Anna Diop, a fresh adaptation of Starfire is set to make its debut across the expansive DC Universe.

Warner Bros. Animation has confirmed that an animated series featuring Starfire, geared towards a younger audience, is currently being developed along with “My Adventures with Green Lantern” and “DC Super Heroes”.

According to a post by James Gunn on Threads, the Starfire animated series should be understood as an alternate universe story, separate from the primary DC Comics timeline.

It appears that the DC Universe might introduce its own version of Starfire, as depicted by the comic series Creature Commandos, she was among those affected by the impending conflict shown in Circe’s prophetic vision of the future.

Robin (Damian Wayne)

In the universe of James Gunn’s DCU, a new character set to appear is Damian Wayne, known as Robin and also the son of Bruce Wayne.

In the revamped DC Universe, it has been confirmed that Damian will star alongside an older Batman in “The Brave and the Bold.” The specifics of his character’s part within the broader DCU narrative remain undisclosed, but Robin is likely to take on a significant role in expanding the universe.

Which Other Characters Will Appear in the DCU?

As the DCU expands, it is widely expected that more characters will be introduced. 

Characters such as Swamp Thing, The Authority, and the Teen Titans are expected to make appearances in upcoming DC Universe projects. However, it’s important to note that their inclusion hasn’t been definitively confirmed yet, as they are currently undergoing development.

As a cinephile eagerly anticipating the latest installment of Superman, I can’t help but notice the intriguing introduction of the character known as The Engineer. Given her pivotal role in establishing The Authority, her appearance could very well signal developments for this enigmatic team within the storyline. This film might offer valuable insights into the current status of The Authority – whether they are actively engaged during the movie’s events or have taken a backseat for now.

Regarding the Teen Titans project, you might not hear any new developments immediately due to the involvement of one key member, who happens to be Damian Wayne.

For enthusiasts of the DCAU (DC Animated Universe), it’s worth noting that Damian significantly contributed to shaping the Teen Titans team in this animated universe’s iteration, and a similar scenario might unfold in the live-action DCU (DC Cinematic Universe).

Currently, the production of Swamp Thing is ongoing, and it’s exciting to know that James Gunn has announced that the horror film will be directed by James Mangold, who has previously worked on films like Logan and Indiana Jones 5.

According to Gunn, when it comes to the DCU movies that have encountered difficulties (as he’s shared), he’s been conversing with Mangold on occasion about Swamp Thing, which might imply that they’re still developing story concepts for the project.

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2025-05-05 07:13