The DCU Just Confirmed It Won’t Have One Major Marvel Problem

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In the opening episode of Season 2 for the show “Peacemaker,” there’s a standout, somewhat mature-themed scene. Character Chris Smith (also known as Peacemaker) gets involved in an unusual spree involving alcohol, drugs, and a wild orgy. Following a rejection by Emilia Harcourt, Smith finds himself in his house filled with numerous naked individuals engaging in diverse sexual activities. This sequence stirred controversy due to its graphic nature, particularly following the release of “Superman,” where the main character abstains from swear words. The orgy scene in “Peacemaker” signaled that adult themes would be a defining aspect of the DC Universe, unlike Marvel.

In total, only two romantic or intimate scenes have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe across its 37 films. The first one was shown in Iron Man, where Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) had a romantic encounter with journalist Christine Everhart (Leslie Bibb). However, this scene took place before the official establishment of the MCU and prior to Marvel Studios being acquired by Disney. The only other movie to include such a scene was Eternals, which had a less successful run and received mixed reviews. In this movie, Sersei (Gemma Chan) and Ikaris (Richard Madden) shared an intimate moment, but even renowned director Chloé Zhao’s attempt at portraying it was met with criticism.

Is the MCU’s Lack of Sex Why It’s Flopping?

In simple terms, it’s worth noting that romantic scenes are scarce in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is largely due to the fact that Marvel Studios falls under the ownership of Disney, known for its family-friendly image. To attract a wide audience, including families, Disney and Marvel opt to minimize or exclude sexual content from their movies. Additionally, most of their merchandise is aimed at younger viewers. Despite this, Marvel films are often rated PG-13 for violent content, which suggests that society may be more tolerant of violence compared to explicit romantic scenes. In the Marvel universe, you’ll typically find only a peck on the cheek between the hero and their love interest, and an occasional shirtless scene for the male heroes to highlight their muscular physique acquired from Disney’s investment in their superhero training.

First Steps* that portrayed a committed relationship between Sue Storm and her husband, minimal intimacy was shown. These films seem to be struggling in theaters. While we’re not advocating for Marvel movies to include explicit scenes akin to those in Peacemaker, it’s worth considering if creatives are feeling limited due to the lack of opportunities to explore more mature themes effectively in their storytelling.

The DCU Embraces Sexuality and Storytelling

Notably, while the orgy scene in Season 2 of Peacemaker certainly grabbed attention, it wasn’t just for shock value. In fact, on Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, James Gunn, the showrunner and director of that episode, revealed that the numerous sexual activities surrounding Peacemaker character, which he abstains from, symbolize how Smith’s character is attempting to anesthetize himself with his usual vices. However, these coping mechanisms fail him, leading to a lack of (literal) connection that pushes him back into the Quantum Unfolding Chamber and eventually sets the stage for the season’s primary events.

First Steps at the box office.

In a refreshing and candid approach, the new version of Superman maintains its PG-13 rating while subtly incorporating the reality of sexuality into its narrative, rather than shying away from it. Although explicit sexual scenes might not be expected in future Superman series, James Gunn’s promise of a unique tone and style for each DCU project appears to hold true. This inclusive representation of character sexuality seems not only authentic but also essential for the DCU to establish its own identity and potentially outpace its rival, Marvel, which is owned by Disney.

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2025-08-29 02:04